PH EMBASSY HOLDS SEMINAR ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN KENYA TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH
Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang (seated, fifth from left), Deputy Executive Director Janet P. Anyango of FIDA-Kenya (seated, fourth from left), Ambassador Morakot Janemathukorn of Thailand (seated, third from left), High Commissioner Ruzaimi bin Mohamad of Malaysia (seated, sixth from left), and the attendees of the seminar pose for a group photo.
NAIROBI, 25 March 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Kenya, in celebration of the Philippine National Women’s Month, organized a seminar titled, “Understanding Kenya’s Legal Frameworks for Protecting and Promoting Women’s Rights” on 24 March 2024 at the Embassy grounds.
The seminar aimed to increase the Filipino community’s awareness of Kenyan laws that protect the rights of women. Women in diaspora are said to be more vulnerable to gender-related challenges due to their lack of familiarity with local laws as well as their reluctance to avail themselves of remedies available in the host country.
The Embassy partnered with the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) for the event, with Deputy Executive Director Janet P. Anyango serving as the resource person.
Ms. Anyango shared that since the adoption of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, the country has developed progressive laws in the areas of matrimonial property rights, prevention of gender-based violence, and protection of survivors of gender-based crimes. She, however, admitted that there remain several challenges to promoting women’s rights in Kenya, and emphasized the crucial role of education and forging multi-sectoral partnerships.
In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang emphasized the Philippine Government’s strong advocacies on gender equality and women empowerment and how these align with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, which is the overarching theme of governance and leadership under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. She added that a society that is free from gender-based stereotypes, discrimination, and violence is key to a more progressive, inclusive, and “new Philippines”.
Aside from Filipino community members, the seminar was attended by heads of mission and officials of other ASEAN member countries in Nairobi. END
Deputy Executive Director Janet P. Anyango shares information on the work of FIDA-Kenya, including the provision of free legal assistance, support for legal and human rights education, and engagement in grassroots community advocacy.
Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang notes how the annual observance of the Philippine National Women’s Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness and have a conversation on issues and concerns affecting women.
From left to right: Christabella Naliaka Barasa, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead of FIDA-Kenya; Deputy Executive Director Anyango; Ambassador Tang; Nairobi PE Consul Maria Rosanna O. Josue; and Nairobi PE Vice Consul and GAD Focal Point Officer (GFPO) Louie Dane C. Merced
