Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo today held a consultative meeting with Jaime Moreno, HE Ambassador of Spain to Kenya to discuss possible areas of continued collaboration between the two countries.
Kenya and Spain have had a long-standing diplomatic relationship with a growing partnership in different fields, solidifying and renewing their decision to enhance cooperation between these nations.
Their shared values in social development guarantee mutual investment in promoting the welfare of the citizens of these two nations.
The meeting highlighted opportunities to collaborate in GBV mitigation efforts through experience sharing on legislative frameworks aimed at eliminating gender-based violence.
Spain brings experience to the collaboration, considering the country has been among leading performer in terms of gender equality within European Union. According to the Gender Equality Index 2024, that the country received 76.7 out of 100, placing it as the 4th best in the larger European community, which is 5.7 above the average.
This shows Spain’s progress in areas such as legal protections, institutional frameworks, and gender-responsive policies. This makes the country a good partner in enhancing gender equality in Kenya.
Kenya’s drive to strengthen alliances on the issue of gender equality emerges at a time the country is advancing its position as a globally influential nation. Currently, Kenya co-leads the Generation Equality Forum’s action coalition on GBV, where the country has pledged to take courageous action to end GBV and FGM by the year 2026.
Among the commitments, the government promises to fully implement existing GBV laws, spend as much as USD 50 million on prevention and response activities by 2026, and ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190, which is aimed at a violence- and harassment-free work environment.
Kenya’s commitments also include providing GBV services as part of Universal Coverage (UHC) and establishing GBV recovery centres in every county, ensure that GBV survivors are received and supported as part of access to justice.
CS Hanna Cheptumo was joined in the meeting by Ps Anne Wangombe, Principal Secretary in charge of Gender Affair and Affirmative Action. Other members present were Mr. Michael Kariuki, the Director GBV Mitigation, and Verity Mganga, the Gender Policy, Research, and Documentation.
