Achieving Gender Equality in Kenia (Hellen Mugo – Kenya)

Event series International Talks

The International Talks always take place during the semester. Always online. Always discussion format. Always socially relevant, international topics. The format includes an impulse with discussion, in which the participants can take part via chat. The talks get a special dynamic through the moderation of different experts. The International Talks are open to all students, colleagues and interested persons, especially including international students.

Achieving Gender Equality in Kenia (Hellen Mugo – Kenya), 11th of June, 2026, 6 pm – 7:30 pm

From the moment they are born until they die, African women and girls have to live with numerous challenges and deal with many inequalities on account of their gender. These range from unrecognized domestic labor, limited education opportunities, poor healthcare and sanitation to multiple forms of violence in both private and public spheres. While gender inequality is a problem the world over, African women remain particularly vulnerable in some crucial aspects of development. A look at maternal health, for instance, shows that in 2017 sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for approximately two thirds of global maternal deaths (World Health Organization). According to the Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya had a Gender lnequality Index of 0.545 in 2018 (IEA).Despite the many odds women have to overcome, they continue to play a key role in their families and communities, ultimately contributing to the economies of their nations and regions. Statistics indicate that African women rank relatively highly in the world in the workplace, with a female labour-participation rate of 0.76 (medium gender inequality) against a global average of 0.64 (high gender inequality) according to a 2019 Mckinsey Global Institute report. African women remain the main caregivers in their families and form a majority of workers in agriculture, which is the major economic activity in most parts of Africa. Given equal opportunities in education, employment and decision making, their status would be way more advanced than it is and not just for their benefit but for the entire population.

Speaker

Hellen Mugo worked as a Global South specialist in the Misereor department of Education from 2022 until 2025, as advisor on environmental and climate protection as well as sustainable energy. Hellen advocates for the full participation of women in development and equality for people of all genders. She studied commerce, followed by gender and development. She has previous work experience in the fields of climate change and sustainability, as well as teaching and research on a variety of topics including entrepreneurship, gender equality, and ecological sustainability. Hellen is originally from Kenya and currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Participation

All Talks will be realized as videoconference.

Certificats

Available on request

Zoom-Link