The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) will host the Gender Conference 2025 in Nairobi on January 28th and 29th under the theme Disrupt & Redefine the Gender Narrative. This regional conference, which will focus on East African participants, aims to create a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action among stakeholders in the sports ecosystem.
The event will convene NOC executives, national federation leaders, industry women leaders, thought leaders, and athletes. Together, they will address critical gender issues, share best practices, and propose actionable solutions for building an inclusive future in sports.
NOC-K, through its Gender Commission, recently conducted a baseline survey to assess gender inclusivity in sports in Kenya. The study revealed significant gaps in women’s sports participation. Notably, 83% of women surveyed identified barriers such as financial constraints, systemic challenges, societal norms, and infrastructure limitations as obstacles to pursuing their careers. These findings emphasize the urgency for collective action to close these gaps and advance gender equality in sports.
As part of its commitment to fostering inclusivity, NOC-K has spearheaded initiatives such as the #StepUp Series and #SheRise Series. These programs have provided platforms for women in sports to convene regularly, discuss challenges, and implement strategies to enhance participation and leadership among women in the sports sector.
While progress has been made, much work remains to further increase women’s participation in sports. Continued efforts and collaboration across the sector are essential to creating an environment where women can thrive and lead.
A distinguished panel of experts has been curated to lead discussions at the conference. The panelists include: • Prof. Olive Mugenda – Former Vice Chancellor, Kenyatta University
- Harriet Chiggai – Advisor to the President on Gender Matters
- Faith Odhiambo – Chairperson, Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
- Nozizwe Vundla – Brand Director, Safaricom
- Ivy Awino (Poison Ivy) – Host & DJ, Dallas Mavericks Basketball
- Catherine Ndereba – Chair, Sports Gender Protection and Implementation Committee
- Tegla Loroupe – Athlete and Peace Ambassador
- Purity Ngina – CEO, National Gender Commission
- Zaheeda Suleman – Brand & Marketing Strategist
