Include women in health development and leadership

Azimio la Umoja running mate Martha Karua (2nd-left) during Maendeleo ya Wanawake anniversary celebrations. June 7, 2022. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

We are living in strange and dangerous times. On the one hand, calls for gender equality and inclusion of more women in leadership at all levels are getting louder; on the other, millions of women around the world are being shut off from accessing equal opportunities in education, healthcare, economic growth and political participation.

The Covid-19 pandemic, now in its third year, has rolled back gains for women made over the past couple of decades and made it clear that the impact of crises is never gender-neutral. It is no secret that women, by virtue of being over-represented in the services sector, lower paying jobs and the informal economy, have suffered greater economic losses than men.