A group of female legislators has called on development partners to bolster their support for women parliamentarians, emphasizing the critical role they play in advancing women’s land rights and climate resilience across Kenya and the broader IGAD region.
Speaking during a high-level National Dialogue on Gender, Land, and Climate Resilience convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Nominated MP Hon. Sabina Chege urged partners to deepen their investment in the capacity and advocacy efforts of female lawmakers.
“We appreciate and value the support of development partners who work with lawmakers, but more can be done to better equip female legislators to fight for women’s land rights,” said Hon. Chege, who represented National Assembly Deputy Speaker Hon. Gladys Boss at the event.
She noted that women parliamentarians are uniquely positioned to lead the land equality agenda due to their lived experiences and close engagement with affected communities.
“As female lawmakers, we are better placed to spearhead the land equality campaign, since it affects us directly and those we represent,” she stated.
The dialogue, which kicked off today and runs for two days, brings together government officials, civil society organizations, and international partners to chart a path toward inclusive land governance and gender-responsive climate policies. The event is co-organized by IGAD in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the State Department of Gender, among others.
Dr. Fatouma Aden, IGAD’s Head of Mission to Kenya, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering women in land governance and climate action.
“I wish to reaffirm IGAD’s unwavering commitment to building women’s leadership on land and climate justice, guided by the vision of our Executive Secretary and the work of the Land Governance Programme,” said Dr. Aden. “Together, we must continue shaping a more equitable and climate-resilient IGAD region.”
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) was well-represented at the forum, with members including Hon. Phylis Bartoo (Moiben), Hon. Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), Hon. Janet Sitienei (Turbo), and Hon. Fatuma Jehow (Wajir) actively contributing to the discussions.
The legislators underscored the power of collective female leadership in addressing gender disparities in land ownership and called for stronger political will and policy reforms to secure land rights for women.
“Women's land rights are not just about access to property—they’re about dignity, security, and economic empowerment,” said Hon. Bartoo. “If we are to build climate-resilient communities, we must start by ensuring that women have an equal stake in land and resources.”
The forum aims to generate actionable recommendations and deepen collaboration between lawmakers, development agencies, and grassroots advocates to push for equitable land governance and climate resilience strategies across the IGAD region.
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