TISA and Partners Call for Action on Gender Inclusion in Kiambu’s Agri-Food Systems
News Updated: 13 October 2025 15:39 EAT
The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance (SUNCSA), has called for urgent action to strengthen gender equity and inclusion within Kiambu County’s agri-food systems. This follows the launch of the Gender Analysis Report on Monday, October 13, 2025.
The report provides critical insights into the gender dynamics shaping access to resources, decision-making, and participation in agricultural activities across Kiambu County.
According to the findings, women, men, youth, and persons with disabilities play essential roles in food production, yet their participation remains hindered by patriarchal norms, restrictive inheritance laws, and unequal access to productive assets. These factors, the report notes, often reduce small-scale farmers—particularly women—to price-takers who earn minimal returns for their work.
While recognizing that gender-responsive policies already exist at the county level, TISA and its partners are urging the County Government of Kiambu to move from policy commitment to tangible implementation, with accountability and inclusion at the core.
The report also recommends that the county develop Gender Equity and Inclusion Strategies to ensure fair participation and benefit-sharing across the agri-food value chain.
For cooperative societies, TISA and its partners advise that bylaws be reviewed to deliberately include more women and youth in leadership positions, and that farmers—especially women and persons with disabilities—be trained in agribusiness and climate-smart farming to strengthen resilience and sustainability.
The report underscores that exclusion of any group from agricultural governance and markets is not merely a personal loss but a setback for the entire community.
“When one woman is excluded, it’s not just her loss—it’s a loss for the whole society,” the report notes.
TISA, WHH, and SUNCSA emphasized that the launch marks the beginning of a shared journey toward gender-transformative change. Working with the people of Kiambu, the partners envision a future of equitable households, inclusive markets, and shared leadership that fosters social and economic progress.
“Change begins in the home, but it must not stop there,” the report states. “Through transparency, participation, and accountability, we can transform governance from the food on our plates to the income earned and the investments that improve family livelihoods.”
The partners are now calling on the county and national governments, civil society, the private sector, and local communities to unite in building agri-food systems that are fair, inclusive, and reflective of the aspirations of Kiambu’s people—serving as a model for Kenya and beyond.
Tags: SUNCSA TISA WHH
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