Top county officials from the North Rift Economic Bloc over the weekend held a two-day gender strategy validation exercise.

The exercise was attended by the NOREB Secretariat and county officials from the Department of Gender.

During the workshop, the first draft of the NOREB Gender Strategy was approved, marking a significant milestone in the region’s journey towards gender equity and empowerment.

The milestone signifies the culmination of extensive efforts toward finalizing the Gender framework for the eight counties under the NOREB Economic Bloc

Notably, this Gender Strategy is the first of its kind within the region and holds immense potential to drive positive change and development across NOREB counties.

Paul Kuria, from the National Gender and Equality Commission who spoke at the exercise, lauded the NOREB bloc for coming up with the strategy and taking up gender matters seriously.

On her part, the Chief Officer for Gender Eunice Suter, said, “This document has come in good time. The strategy will go a long way to assist the County Government of Uasin Gishu which recently created a complete directorate of Gender and community development.”

Suter, further said the region needed a structure and strategy that places gender in its right space, harnesses its full potential and harmonizes policies and processes.

“The strategy will ensure that the region bridges the gender gap and ensures that the perpetrators and victims of conflict are brought on the same table to ensure durable peace that creates an enabling environment for investment,” said the Deputy Director Gender Uasin Gishu Joywin Sang.

With the support of Reinvent and NGEC, a process of strategy formulation was fast-tracked including bringing Eric Simiyu Wafukho on board as a consultant to support the strategy formulation process.

The workshop brought together all Chief Officers and Directors from the Gender department across 8 counties from the NOREB Bloc.

Chief Officer for Education Marion Birgen, Director was also in attendance.