The Sports Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, Amina Mohamed, has constituted a ministerial committee on gender welfare in sports empowering it with the mandate to conduct an urgent analysis of women’s inclusion in teams and management of federations, examine existing challenges and look at potential opportunities for corrective improvement.
In a released statement, Amina noted that the Committee’s work will look at providing recommendations to better the welfare of women in sports.
“They will analyze the status of discrimination and abuse in the sports ecosystem in the country and give recommendations within the next 30 days effective July 10, 2021” she said.
Kenya’s legendary long-distance runner, Catherine Ndereba, has been chosen to chair the Committee; the Registrar of Sports, Ms. Rose Wasike, will act as the committee’s administrator; and, Physician, Kizzie Shako, will be joint secretary of the committee with Hibo Hussein. Other members of the Committee include Paul Ochieng from Strathmore University, former international volleyball player, Catherine Mabwi, legendary marathoner Ibrahim Hussein, Linda Ndiwa and Ted Kwaka.
Amina expressed pride in female athletes and officials who have worked tirelessly to secure the future of sports for women and girls in Kenya by increasing the number of women’s teams and individuals participating in regional and international competitions. She pointed to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games where Kenya surpassed the International Olympic Committee guidelines and affirmative considerations by presenting an equal number of men and women athletes.
