Imagine a world where women aren't just participants in academia, but true leaders shaping the future of education and society – that's the exciting vision behind a groundbreaking initiative at the University of Nairobi. But here's where it gets controversial: some might argue that pushing for gender equality in fields like economics challenges traditional power structures. Stay tuned as we dive into the details of this transformative project that could redefine academia for women everywhere.
The University of Nairobi has made a courageous move to promote gender equality in higher education by introducing the USD 9.5 million Women in Leadership Project, often abbreviated as the WiL Project. This ambitious effort aims to boost women's involvement in economics and academic leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive environment across universities in Kenya.
Officially kicking off on Friday, November 7, 2025, the African Women Studies Centre (AWSC) at the University of Nairobi unveiled the project during their Annual Researchers’ Retreat in Machakos County. The ceremony was led by Prof. Jack Odhiambo, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, who stood in for the University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson.
Dubbed 'Participation of Women in Economics in Leadership in Academic Institutions in Kenya,' the WiL Project tackles the ongoing issue of women's underrepresentation in key positions within the Department of Economics and Development Studies (DEDs). It's backed financially by Co-Impact, a worldwide collaborative organization that unites innovators and donors to enhance health, education, and economic systems for greater inclusivity and sustainability. Co-Impact, with a strong focus on women's leadership, has poured in USD 3.3 million toward this project, targeting gender balance at DEDs by 2032. By driving changes at an institutional level, they aim to break down barriers that hinder women, children, and marginalized groups on a global scale. For beginners, think of Co-Impact as a team of global partners pooling resources to make systems fairer – for instance, just like how community groups might fund local schools to ensure every child gets a chance, regardless of background.
The launch drew a diverse crowd, including university administrators, scholars, and faculty from AWSC and DEDs, plus other advocates for gender equality and women's empowerment in higher education. In his address, Prof. Odhiambo emphasized the University's dedication to fair leadership and opportunities. 'This isn't merely about achieving balance; it's about reshaping our culture to give women the space to lead, create, and motivate others,' he remarked, highlighting how such initiatives can inspire broader societal change.
Addressing the Gender Divide in Economics
The WiL Project confronts deep-rooted gender imbalances in DEDs, where women make up just 29% of the academic staff, and their numbers drop further among graduates: 40% at the undergraduate level, 35% at the Master's level, and a mere 25% at the PhD level. This declining trend points to a shortage in the talent pipeline for upcoming researchers and leaders, potentially limiting diverse perspectives in economic discussions. For example, without more women in these roles, key topics like sustainable development or poverty alleviation might miss out on unique insights that women scholars often bring, based on their lived experiences.
Prof. Wanjiku Kabira, Director of the African Women Studies Centre and a key player in executing the project alongside DEDs, sees this as a chance to rebuild empowering structures. 'We view this disparity not as an insurmountable problem but as a gateway to create systems that uplift women,' she shared. The WiL Project draws on AWSC's prior achievements, such as the Women's Economic Empowerment Hub Program. 'This initiative follows our successful five-year project, valued at USD 3 million and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,' she added, illustrating how continuous efforts build momentum.
Prof. Kabira also noted that AWSC is pushing forward with reforms in gender-sensitive policies, teaming up with national entities like the National Treasury, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kenya Industrial Estates, and various State Departments including those for Gender and Affirmative Action, Social Protection, MSMEs, and the East African Community. This collaboration ensures that changes aren't isolated but ripple out to influence broader economic and social frameworks.
Spanning seven years and totaling USD 9.5 million, the project receives joint funding from Co-Impact and the University of Nairobi via AWSC and DEDs. Co-Impact covers the initial five years with USD 3.3 million, dedicated to activities like advocacy, research, and skill-building. Meanwhile, the University contributes through providing infrastructure, mentorship opportunities, oversight, assessment, and data management tools.
Core Strategies and Anticipated Outcomes
The initiative unfolds through five targeted modules: analyzing institutional dynamics and driving reform, crafting strategies, preparing organizations for change, facilitating learning, tracking progress and evaluating results, and imagining the future of the institution.
Over the first five years, the project plans to benefit 1,596 women directly (representing 46% of participants), growing to 2,442 women (48%) by the end. Beyond that, the University as a whole will reap rewards, including higher female enrollment and completion rates, fairer hiring and advancement practices, a comprehensive mentorship scheme, and the creation of a gender mainstreaming and inclusion office along with systems for tracking gender-specific data.
Moreover, this effort supports the University's aspiration to become a leading regional institution by embedding gender equality and inclusivity into governance and policy practices.
A standout feature is the upcoming Bachelor of Feminist Economics program, an innovative degree that promises to revolutionize how economics is approached and taught. 'When women take the helm, the world evolves for the better,' stated Prof. Tabitha Kiriti-Ng’ang’a, the project's lead investigator. 'This undertaking embodies our shared pledge to cultivate a university and community that honors every perspective.'
And this is the part most people miss: while the project champions equality, it subtly challenges long-held norms in academia. Is prioritizing women's leadership in economics a necessary disruption, or could it inadvertently sideline other forms of diversity? What are your thoughts? Do you believe initiatives like this are essential for progress, or do they risk overlooking equally important issues? Agree or disagree – we'd love to hear from you in the comments!
