Details of National Olympic Committee of Kenya’s (NOC-K) Gender Conference

National Olympic Committee of Kenya’s (NOC-K) Gender Conference slated for Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 January in Nairobi will see nine keynote speakers take stakeholders through conversations on equality, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), leadership, and empowerment among other crucial topics.

The Gender Conference is a regional event dedicated to empowering women in sports and advancing gender equality.

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Under the theme “To Disrupt & Redefine the Gender Narrative”, it creates a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action among key stakeholders in the sports ecosystem. The event convenes NOC executives, federation leaders, industry women leaders, thought leaders, and athletes from Eastern Africa.

The two-day event aims to address critical gender issues, share best practices, and propose solutions for building an inclusive future in sports.

A baseline survey by NOC-K’s Gender Commission revealed significant gaps in women’s participation in sports, with 83% of women encountering hindering factors compared to their male counterparts.

“NOC-K has taken gender initiatives such as the #StepUp Series and #SheRise Series, empowering over 200 sportswomen.

Despite significant progress, continued efforts and collaboration are essential to further increase women’s participation in sports and create an environment where they can thrive and lead,” a statement from the Committee reads.

Objectives for the event have been grouped into four key aspects with the acronym PACE.

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P: Promote Gender Equality in Sports: To advance the conversation on gender equality by identifying and addressing the barriers that women face in sports, both on and off the field.

A: Awareness of Gender-Based Violence: By implementing actionable strategies to address and prevent it through education, advocacy, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment

C: Challenge and Improve the Portrayal of Women in Sports: This objective seeks to influence how women athletes and sports professionals are depicted, aiming to break down stereotypes and promote positive role models primarily in sports media and marketing.

E: Empower Women Leaders in Sports: This aims to foster a supportive environment where women can share experiences, learn from industry experts, network, and build confidence to take on leadership positions within the sports industry.

Some of the speakers expected to grace the event include renowned Kenyan long-distance runner and global advocate for peace and women’s rights Tegla Loroupe, the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon, achieving this feat twice.

Her dedication to promoting peace and gender equality has solidified her status as an icon in Kenya and beyond.

Fellow iconic marathoner, and former world record holder Catherine Ndereba, Team Kenya to the Paris Olympics Chief Executive Officer for Team Kenya, Wanjiru Mbugua-Karani who is also the Secretary-General of Tennis Kenya and was elected Vice President of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) in October 2023, becoming the first woman to hold this position, and two-time Olympic champion Hellen Obiri add to the list.