Women in Global Health Kenya (WGH) has taken a bold step towards promoting gender equity in the health sector by leading a specialized sensitization workshop for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) on advocacy, gender equity and leadership.
Held in Ruiru on February 21, the workshop focused on empowering female CHPs, with essential knowledge, skills, and legal framework insights needed to excel in primary healthcare while challenging traditional gender roles.
The event brought together CHPs from Nairobi, Murang’a, Kajiado, Kiambu, and Machakos counties, creating an interactive platform for CHPs to exchange ideas and strategies with an emphasis on gender-sensitive practices.
Recognizing that CHPs, particularly women, face systematic barriers such as unequal recognition, inadequate training opportunities and gender biases.
The workshop aimed to address these disparities by promoting inclusive leadership and amplifying their voices.
Through practical advocacy training, CHPs were equipped with the tools to champion gender equity within their own spaces, influence decision-making processes, and drive meaningful change in their communities.
Key responsibilities of CHPs include:
Delivering health education on disease prevention, nutrition, and hygiene.Facilitating early diagnosis and referral to appropriate healthcare facilities.
Providing maternal and child health support, including prenatal care and immunization awareness.
Managing common illnesses and offering first aid services.
Advocating for public health policies that ensure equitable healthcare access.
Despite their indispensable role, CHPs particularly women frequently confront obstacles such as limited training, lack of recognition, and systemic gender biases that restrict their full participation in the health sector.
The workshop centered on sensitizing Community Health Promoters (CHPs) on advocacy, gender equity, and their vital role in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Through interactive and hands-on training, participants gained practical skills to strengthen their advocacy efforts and enhance service delivery at the community level.
A key focus of the session was empowering CHPs particularly women to take on leadership roles in shaping health policies and driving meaningful change.
By building their capacity in gender-responsive healthcare and community-driven advocacy, the workshop aimed to amplify their voices and contributions.
This initiative not only fosters stronger community engagement but also plays a crucial role in advancing an inclusive, equitable, and resilient healthcare system.
Dr. Silas Agutu of the Department of Primary Health Care highlighted the dual impact of the initiative.
“Empowering Community Health Promoters with robust training and legal know-how not only strengthens primary healthcare systems but also confronts long-standing gender disparities within the sector,” he stated.
Mrs. Catherine Menganyi, echoed the call for greater gender inclusion emphasizing on a collective action .
“When women come together and advocate for the change we need, we dismantle traditional patriarchal systems that have long silenced us. This workshop is about equipping women to be confident, informed and proactive in shaping community health,” she said.
Bridging the Gender and Knowledge GapMany participants, including Mrs.
Jennifer Muli, stressed the need for continuous learning and policy awareness to overcome gender biases and knowledge on the legal frameworks.
“Enhanced training on these frameworks is essential, not just for professional growth but for challenging the gender biases that limit our potential.
By equipping CHPs with this knowledge, we pave the way for more equitable and effective healthcare delivery,” Muli remarked.
Among the skills gained during the training were communication skills, policy engagement, and strategic advocacy, which are key tools to enhance their effectiveness as healthcare champions.
Despite the high number of women serving as CHPs, their representation in leadership positions remains low.
Many female CHPs are often left out of decision-making spaces where policies affecting their work and communities are shaped.
The workshop highlighted the importance of sustained advocacy, stronger policy engagement and intersectoral collaborations.
Women in Global Health Kenya, remains committed to ensuring gender equity is not just a discussion but a transformative movement that empowers women in health to lead, advocate and shape the future of healthcare.
For more information on upcoming initiatives and how to support CHPs in advancing gender equity, please contact Women in Global Health Kenya.