Oxfam/NGEC forge strategic partnership to drive gender equality and social inclusion
On 4 February 2025, the National Gender, and Equality Commission (NGEC) and Oxfam Kenya (OKE) convened for a landmark meeting, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing gender equality, social inclusion, and the rights of marginalized communities in Kenya. The meeting was a renewed pledge to drive transformative change and reinforce social fabrics that form basis of a nation’s prosperity. Led by Hon. Rehema Jaldesa and a delegation of distinguished commissioners, NGEC brought forth a revitalized vision for strategic collaboration with Oxfam.
A History of Collaboration for Gender Justice
Since 2014, NGEC and Oxfam have maintained a strong partnership, with Oxfam actively participating in the NGEC-led gender technical consultative working group, now expanded into the National Gender Sector Working Group. Together, these institutions have championed gender-responsive legislation—including the push for the not more than two-thirds gender principle—climate justice, natural resource management, and women’s leadership across all levels of governance. Their collective efforts have influenced key gender policies and strategic initiatives aimed at tackling inequality.
Strengthening Commitment to Gender Equality
During the meeting, Oxfam Kenya’s Interim Executive Director, Henry Isura, and the NGEC commissioners reaffirmed their dedication to a strengthened and structured partnership.
‘NGEC is committed to deepening collaboration with Oxfam, to ensure gender justice and social inclusion remain at the heart of national and county-level development agendas.’’ Underscored Jaldesa.
‘’Our collaboration is deeply rooted in our push for equality. We believe everyone has the right to be treated fairly and to have the same rights and opportunities, and this partnership presents a unique opportunity to galvanize our collective energies and goodwill to continue pursuing this goal.’’ Said Henry.
The key areas of collaboration will focus on:
- Unpaid Care and Domestic Work: Advocating for policies that recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work through legislative reforms, social protection, and community-based initiatives.
- Gender Justice: Strengthening campaigns against femicide, female genital mutilation (FGM), electoral violence, and enhancing gender-based violence (GBV) reporting and response mechanisms.
- Women and Youth Empowerment: Promoting leadership opportunities in democratic spaces and leveraging the digital economy to elevate young voices.
- Strategic Inclusion: Ensuring women from marginalized communities actively participate in climate resilience and natural resource management efforts.
Establishing a Technical Working Group
A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish a Technical Working Group, tasked with driving joint fundraising initiatives, strengthening strategic partnerships, and spearheading impactful policy advocacy. This group will serve as a critical engine in ensuring that NGEC and Oxfam’s shared vision for gender equality and social inclusion is not just reactive, but proactive, strategic, and sustainable.
The Power of Partnership
NGEC’s mandate to oversee compliance with gender and equality principles, coupled with Oxfam’s grassroots reach and advocacy expertise, creates a powerful synergy. This partnership will be instrumental in:
- Influencing Policy: Shaping national and county-level policies to be more gender-responsive and inclusive.
- Shifting Social Norms: Challenging deeply rooted gender biases and inequalities through advocacy and awareness campaigns.
- Amplifying Representation: Elevating the voices of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, indigenous communities, and youth, in policy-making spaces.
With this renewed collaboration, NGEC and Oxfam are poised to drive meaningful and lasting change, ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion are embedded at every level of governance and society.
Fredrick Otieno, Media, and Communications Programmes Officer FOtieno@oxfam.org.uk +254 719 278 675
Jackline Migide – Gender Justice and Women’s Rights Lead JMigide@oxfam.org.uk 0723 159 900