On March 18, 2025, the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) conducted a significant event for the Women Leaders Network to commemorate International Women’s Day.
This year’s theme, “For All Women and Girls; Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” highlights the global commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
The event attracted over 200 participants, including distinguished women leaders from various United Nations agencies, facilitating structured networking and comprehensive knowledge-sharing sessions.
The keynote address was delivered by Zainab Bangura, Director General of UNON, who expressed a profound commitment to achieving gender parity and fostering strategic leadership within the organization. She provided a detailed overview of the milestones reached since the network’s inception in 2020, including the establishment of mentorship initiatives and professional development workshops specifically tailored for women leaders. Bangura emphasized that empowering women is essential for the United Nations’ mission to create sustainable and equitable solutions to global challenges.
“Today, we proudly celebrate leadership that reflects the UN Secretary-General’s trust in the ability of women to drive change, deliver impact, and advance the mission of the United Nations at the highest levels,” stated Zainab Hawa Bangura. Her assertion emphasized the potential of women to influence significant change and resonated deeply with the audience.
Ms. Antonia N’Gabala Sodonon, the UN Women Kenya Country Representative, reiterated the critical role of UN Women as the secretariat of the Women Leaders Network. She elaborated on the organization’s dedication to operationalizing and implementing the network’s comprehensive Action Plan, aimed at enhancing women’s participation in decision-making processes. In conjunction with the observance of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, she urged a renewed commitment to gender equality across all sectors and called for the reinforcement of the Beijing Agenda. Additionally, she addressed the pressing issue of femicide in Kenya, presenting the initiatives of the Presidential Taskforce on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and urging UN staff to leverage their platforms for advocating accountability and promoting safe environments for women.
During her presentation, Sodonon addressed the rising global backlash against women’s rights and called upon UN agencies to unite against regressive forces. She underscored the necessity of maintaining relentless advocacy for women’s empowerment and the rights of girls to ensure that no one is left behind.
The event’s agenda included engaging panel discussions to address key workplace challenges, such as balancing assertiveness with approachability, managing the often-invisible workload associated with emotional labor, and acknowledging the hidden costs of unpaid mentorship. Moderated by Ms. Sandra Macharia, Director of the United Nations Information Service, the panel featured esteemed female leaders who shared practical strategies for navigating these challenges. Their insights focused on fostering career growth and nurturing a collaborative workplace culture.
In conclusion, the event emphasized the essential roles that women leaders play in driving organizational success while providing a vital platform for developing strategies that promote a more inclusive and balanced work environment. By highlighting the achievements and contributions of women in leadership, this gathering reinforced the collective commitment to building a future in which gender equality is realized.
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