By Zulfa Shauri
Kwale Governor H.E Fatuma Achani joined members of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) in commemorating 40 years of legal advocacy for women’s rights during the annual members retreat 2025 held at Diamond Leisure Hotel in Kwale.
The event brought together distinguished legal minds and gender rights advocates to reflect on the progress made and the road ahead in advancing justice for women in Kenya.
The celebration, sponsored by FIDA-Kenya, highlighted the organization’s unwavering commitment to promoting women’s rights through legal aid, policy advocacy, and community empowerment initiatives across the country.
Among the dignitaries present were Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Hon. Anne Wang’ombe, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo, and former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, all of whom emphasized the significance of empowering women in law and leadership.
“We must continue to break the barriers that keep women from occupying decision-making spaces,”said the PS for Gender in her keynote address.
“When women lead, society prospers. Law and policy must work hand-in-hand to protect and uplift every Kenyan woman.”
Governor Achani, a proud member of FIDA-Kenya, lauded the organization for shaping her journey as a leader.
“As a young lawyer, being part of FIDA-Kenya gave me the foundation I needed to serve with integrity and courage,” said Governor Achani.
“Today, as a governor, I continue to carry those values with me in advancing gender equity at the county level,”Achani added.
She reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment through initiatives in economic inclusion, education, and leadership development.
These include county-sponsored women entrepreneurship programs, gender desks in government offices, and community-based training on legal literacy and rights awareness.
“Leadership is not about titles, it’s about transformation. When women rise, communities thrive,” she added.
Over the past several years, Kwale County has emerged as a model in championing gender-inclusive development, driven by deliberate policies and community-based interventions that uplift women and girls.
Governor Achani’s administration has prioritized women’s empowerment as a key pillar of socio-economic transformation.
Some of the county’s flagship efforts include, the Kwale Women Enterprise Support Program (KWESP), A county-backed fund offering grants and affordable credit to women-led businesses, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. Thousands of women have benefited through financial training and access to markets.
Gender Mainstreaming in Governance; the county government has taken bold steps to ensure gender representation in leadership and public service. Through affirmative action and targeted mentorship, more women have taken up roles in local administration and county assemblies.
Kwale has invested in scholarships for girls, especially in communities with high dropout rates due to early marriage or poverty. Technical and vocational training centers have also integrated gender-focused curricula to encourage young women to pursue diverse careers.
Combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV): In partnership with civil society and development partners, the county has set up Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centres within local health facilities and community surveillance committees to respond to and prevent cases of domestic and sexual violence.
Land and Property Rights Awareness, through recognizing land ownership as a key driver of economic empowerment, the county has been actively supporting women’s access to land title deeds and offering legal aid to address inheritance disputes.
In collaboration with organizations like FIDA-Kenya and KELIN, the county has held regular legal awareness forums to empower women with knowledge of their rights under the Constitution, especially in matters of family law, succession, and labor rights.
FIDA-Kenya’s Executive Director outlined the organization’s work in Kwale County, which includes legal aid clinics, community sensitization on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), advocacy for women’s land and property rights, and efforts to combat femicide and domestic violence.
Other leaders in attendance echoed the need for a justice system that is responsive to women’s needs and committed to eliminating structural inequalities.
The LSK President emphasized the role of legal practitioners in mentoring the next generation of female lawyers and supporting victims of gender injustice.
In her reflections, former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza encouraged young women in law to pursue excellence and resilience.
“Your voice matters. Your presence in the courtroom, in boardrooms, and in parliament matters. The future of justice depends on your courage today,” she said.
As the conference concluded, FIDA-Kenya reaffirmed its pledge to expand its programs in coastal counties and strengthen partnerships with local governments to ensure no woman is left behind in the quest for justice and equality.
The event marked a powerful reminder that while progress has been made, the journey toward full gender equality in law and leadership continues and requires collective effort, bold vision, and relentless advocacy.
