KEWOTA Marks Six Years of Empowering Teachers

The Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), Ms. Benter Opande, on Saturday, November 1st, eloquently articulated the challenges facing teachers during the Association’s sixth anniversary celebrations.

She noted that educators continue to grapple with numerous obstacles, including inadequate training for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), limited infrastructure, mental health concerns, and persistent gender inequality in leadership within educational institutions. Despite women’s demonstrated competence, Ms. Opande lamented that they remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles—a disparity that, according to CEOs, can adversely affect productivity.

In response to these challenges, KEWOTA has remained steadfast over the past six years, implementing impactful initiatives to empower its members. These include:

The Water Tank Project, which allows members to acquire water tanks through an affordable deposit system.

The Laptop Project, undertaken in partnership with the Estonian Consulate, which provides teachers with access to digital books and enables them to teach in clean, modern environments—free from physical textbooks and chalk.

Table Banking and Scholarship Programs, aimed at promoting financial empowerment and educational advancement among members.

Ms. Opande further emphasized that the lack of adequate infrastructure—particularly digital tools such as laptops—continues to hinder the full realization of the CBC curriculum. Without these resources, teachers are unable to effectively utilize online materials and textbook links, leading to reduced student performance. The inability to demonstrate complex concepts, such as 3D shapes, due to the absence of digital aids, is compromising the quality of education in Kenya.

KEWOTA’s vision is to create boundless opportunities for every woman teacher in Kenya, offering a platform for professional growth, recognition, and promotion. Its mission is to provide integrated support that fosters professional development alongside economic and social empowerment.

Guided by the motto “My Sister’s Keeper,” the organization embodies solidarity and collective growth. KEWOTA also acknowledges and appreciates male teachers who actively support gender equality within the teaching fraternity.

The Association’s core values—equality, dignity, and inclusivity—inform its “down-up approach” to leadership development, focusing on empowering women teachers to find their voice, influence change, and earn representation in county boards, water boards, and ministerial positions. Through strategic advocacy and institutional support, KEWOTA leverages its platform to validate and elevate women’s leadership potential.