The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) is set to hold the Gender Conference 2025 on January 28th and 29th in Nairobi, under the theme “Disrupt & Redefine the Gender Narrative.” The event aims to foster dialogue, collaboration, and action among stakeholders within the sports ecosystem to address gender issues and create an inclusive future.

A Regional Focus on Gender Equality in Sports

The conference will bring together participants primarily from East Africa, including NOC executives, national federation leaders, industry women leaders, thought leaders, and athletes. It serves as a platform to address critical gender issues, share best practices, and propose actionable solutions to close gender gaps in sports participation and leadership.

Findings from NOC-K Gender Inclusivity Survey

Ahead of the conference, NOC-K’s Gender Commission conducted a baseline survey to assess gender inclusivity in sports across Kenya. The survey highlighted:

• 83% of women surveyed face barriers to sports participation, including:
  • Financial constraints
  • Systemic challenges
  • Societal norms
  • Infrastructure limitations

These findings emphasize the urgent need for collective action to dismantle barriers and foster inclusivity in sports.

Ongoing Initiatives by NOC-K

NOC-K has already made strides toward gender inclusivity with initiatives such as: #StepUp Series – Providing a platform for discussions and strategies to increase women’s leadership in sports. #SheRise Series – Regularly convening women in sports to address challenges and find solutions to enhance participation.

These initiatives reflect NOC-K’s commitment to empowering women and promoting equality in sports.

Keynote Speakers and Panelists

The conference will feature a panel of esteemed experts from various sectors to engage with the audience on actionable gender strategies. Speakers 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

What to Expect from the Conference

Participants can look forward to:

• Interactive sessions on gender inclusivity strategies
• Workshops led by thought leaders in sports and other industries
• Collaborative discussions to develop actionable solutions
• Networking opportunities to connect with regional and international leaders

The conference underscores the growing recognition of sports as a key driver of gender equality and the need to prioritize inclusivity in the industry.

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