The G7 - Council of Governors, Women Caucus is committed to delivering on the promise of devolution as outlined in Article 174 and Article 175 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 in demonstrating gender, diversity, and inclusion in decision-making. Through our strategy, we recognize that equal opportunity and eliminating gender gaps for women are a necessary foundation for poverty eradication and socioeconomic development and therefore advocate for gender equality as a core priority of IDA21. While IDA alone may not achieve this, prioritizing pillars of transformation, notably gender equality, is paramount to this end. Currently, the debt burden in Kenya has reached critical levels, with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) reporting that public debt soared to 70 percent of the country's GDP in 2023. Most importantly, the rising cost of debt service is consuming a significant portion of Kenya's revenue, at 15.8 percent. This is at the expense of critical social services such as health and education, where gender disparities are already glaring,
Unsustainable public debt, compounded by restrictive loan conditions imposed to our country has led to a significant reduction in spending to healthcare. This has been a catalyst for the ongoing strike by healthcare workers which is obstructing women's access to vital healthcare services, including reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child healthcare. Furthermore, recommendations of fiscal consolidation and austerity from the World Bank and IMF leave next to nothing to overdue investments in gender equality initiatives like the implementation of the Kenya National Care Policy.
With this in mind, we implore you, Your Excellency, as well as all African Heads of State and the World Bank President to recognize gender equality as a core priority for IDA21 at the upcoming IDA for Africa Heads of State Summit to be held in Nairobi on 29th-30th April 2024. As discussions unfold, it is imperative to underscore the significance of women's voices and contributions for inclusive economic transformation. To this end, we also ask you, Your Excellency, alongside other African leaders to join efforts with donors like Canada to ensure gender and care remain IDA priorities. By prioritizing gender equality, we can channel resources and attention toward programs and projects that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women within our nations.
Signed
H.E Anne Waiguru, EGH
Chairperson COG, for G7 COG Women Caucus