Over 1,200 Kwale youth and women to benefit from leadership programme

The one-year initiative, dubbed SHE CIRCLE: Women Leading Across Generations, is implemented by Peace Tree Network (PTN). It seeks to build leadership confidence, promote mentorship and create opportunities for women and young people to take part in decision-making.

Speaking during the launch, Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga said the programme aligns with the government's agenda of promoting equal opportunities and empowering women to take up leadership roles. She said empowering women is key to sustainable development and urged stakeholders to support them in overcoming barriers to participation in leadership.(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/over-1-200-kwale-youth-and-women-to-benefit-from-leadership-programme)

"Success is not about money but about empowering communities, from the grassroots to the corridors of power. The key to unlocking development is empowering a woman," she said.

Chidzuga urged young people and women to embrace education, uphold discipline and shun drug and substance abuse, saying these are essential to personal growth, leadership development and the achievement of their ambitions. She also cautioned them against allowing themselves to be used to incite violence or cause chaos.

PTN Executive Director Martha Okumu said the programme targets young women aged between 16 and 30, equipping them with the skills and confidence to pursue leadership and political positions.

She said the initiative will also be rolled out in schools to identify and nurture leadership potential among learners, particularly girls who face stereotypes that discourage them from pursuing education and leadership opportunities.

"Engaging students in peacebuilding and leadership initiatives from an early age would help foster more peaceful communities since learners also face challenges within their schools that need to be addressed," Okumu said.

She said integrating leadership and peacebuilding into school activities would help learners develop confidence, communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicts, creating an environment conducive to learning. Mentorship and early engagement, she added, would help learners challenge gender stereotypes, stay focused on their studies and recognise their potential to take up leadership roles.

Okumu noted that limited opportunities, inadequate mentorship and low confidence continue to hinder many young women from pursuing leadership and political careers. Through mentorship, networking and experience-sharing, she said, participants will gain practical skills and learn from established women leaders.

One of the mentees, Mtama Muradhi, said the programme will help her gain leadership experience, build confidence and identify her personal and career goals. She said she plans to share the knowledge with her peers through community dialogues to encourage more young people to take part in leadership and community development.

Another mentee, Zainab Omar, said the initiative will equip her with business and digital literacy skills, including how to identify and address cyberbullying.

"The programme will equip me with business skills, digital literacy and knowledge on how to tackle cyberbullying," Omar said.

She said the skills will help her explore business opportunities, use digital platforms effectively and stay safe online, while she shares the knowledge with other young women in her community.