Rosebell Barbara – African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance

Kenya’s Embassies Should Be Seen as Economic Institutions, Not Administrative Offices

Leave a Comment / Leadership / Rosebell Barbara

The Embassy of Kenya in Brasília demonstrated that modern diplomacy extended far beyond consular services by positioning itself as a catalyst for Kenya’s economic, environmental, and development agenda. Through strategic engagement with Kenyan institutions and international partners, the Embassy reinforced its commitment to advancing Kenya’s Vision 2030 while strengthening the country’s voice in global climate action. This leadership was evident when the Embassy hosted Imali Ngusale, Strategic Lead and founder of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), a Kenyan organization partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The engagement reflected the Embassy’s continued commitment to supporting Kenya’s meaningful participation in Brazil and expanding opportunities for collaboration in areas critical to sustainable development. The discussions focused on how diplomacy could unlock partnerships that support Kenya’s climate ambitions, promote innovation, and connect Kenyan expertise with international institutions. Furthermore, they explored avenues for supporting Kenyan youth in diplomacy and climate leadership, as well as strengthening Kenya-Brazil ties in environmental education, green innovation, and inclusive policy. The meeting also showcased how civil society complemented national development priorities. Through its work on climate justice, public health, gender equality, and community resilience, ACHCGA continued to demonstrate the objectives of Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2023–2027. The organization’s initiatives supported climate adaptation, strengthened resilience among vulnerable communities, promoted inclusive participation in climate governance, and advanced locally driven solutions aligned with Kenya’s long-term development agenda. As the race for climate finance and international partnerships intensifies, the Embassy’s leadership highlighted the growing importance of diplomatic missions as bridges between government, development partners, academia, and civil society. Through facilitating these connections, the Kenyan Embassy in Brasilia helped position Kenya as a credible partner in global climate and development discussions. The engagement underscored a broader reality achieving Vision 2030 depended not only on domestic investments but also on effective diplomacy that expanded partnerships, attracted knowledge, and created opportunities for Kenyan institutions to shape international solutions. In Brasília, the Embassy demonstrated that diplomatic leadership remained a strategic pillar of Kenya’s sustainable development journey.

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Redefining Positive Masculinity to Combat Gender-Based Violence

Nairobi, Kenya — As Kenya confronts a disturbing surge in femicide, a coalition of activists, policymakers, and civil society organizations convened on April 22–23, 2025, in Nairobi for a two-day regional workshop focused on promoting positive masculinity and combating gender-based violence (GBV). The African Center for Health, Climate and Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), in partnership with Plan International, UN Women, FEMNET, Equality Now, and She Leads Kenya, launched a powerful platform to ignite transformational change. This groundbreaking event empowered girls and young women to challenge gender-based violence (GBV) at its core and dismantle harmful gender norms from the ground up. The urgency of the gathering was underscored by recent statistics: over 100 women were killed in Kenya in the first three months of 2025 alone, with March recording the highest number of female homicide cases at 44, followed by January with 43 and February with 42. These figures reflect a broader trend, with at least 170 women killed in 2024, the highest annual toll on record. The participants at the workshop emphasized the concept of positive masculinity, which challenges traditional notions of male dominance and aggression. Instead, it promotes values such as empathy, respect, accountability, and care. By engaging men allies, the initiative seeks to dismantle the power structures that enable GBV. The workshop also addressed the importance of digital safety, policy advocacy, and transformative leadership in the fight against GBV. Discussions highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass homes, parliaments, schools, and online spaces. The event concluded with a call to action: to transform collective pain into power by building skills, forging alliances, and developing actionable strategies to dismantle toxic masculinity, promote gender justice, and advocate for the ratification of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG). As Kenya continues to grapple with this national emergency, the workshop represents a critical step toward creating safer, more inclusive societies. Through fostering positive masculinity and empowering women and girls, advocates hope to stem the tide of femicide and build a future rooted in equality and respect.