Launching the Collective Empowerment Network (CEN): A Milestone for Women in Kenya’s Judiciary
By: Dr. Nancy Baraza, Peris Macharia, & Jenipher Obetto (IAWJ-KC)
The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and the IAWJ Kenya Chapter (IAWJ-KC) have partnered to implement a Women in Leadership in Law (WILIL) initiative that establishes a Collective Empowerment Network (CEN) for women judges in the Kenyan judiciary. Through the CEN, IAWJ and IAWJ-KC, seek to transform the judiciary by creating an enabling environment
for women judges to rise and thrive by enhancing their professional satisfaction, voice, agency, and leadership opportunities. The program aims to improve the rate of entry into and retention within the judiciary, as well as promote sustainable leadership pathways for women judges through mentorship, communities of practice, dialogues with justice-sector actors, and leadership development trainings and workshops. On December 16, 2024, IAWJ-KC launched the first CEN pilot in Nairobi, Kenya. The launch was graced by the Honorable Justice Martha Koome, Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) and Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya. The CEN is aligned to the Chief Justice’s vision of Social Transformation through Access to Justice, outcome 2: “An inspired team of judges, judicial officers and judiciary staff committed to excellence in the delivery of justice.”
The CEN launch was attended by 30 participants which included judges, magistrates, retired judges, the Registrar Kenya Judiciary
Academy, and the Director Head of Human Resource Management and Development. Hon. Lady Justice Agnes Murgor, Judge of Appeal and President Emeritus, IAWJ-KC, in her opening remarks, appreciated the Hon. Chief Justice’s support, which is critical to ensuring the resounding success of the CEN. She also commended WILIL consultant, Dr. Nancy Baraza, and the WILIL Technical Committee, for organizing the launch and the development of the CEN framework for IAWJ-KC.
Ms. Jane Charles-Voltaire, Director of Programs and Partnerships for IAWJ’s remarks emphasized that the CEN is not just about removing barriers; it is about fostering an environment where women judges can enter the profession, rise through its ranks, and thrive at every level. It is designed to be a catalyst of systemic change, promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. She emphasized that the CEN also prioritizes critical conversations on issues such as transparency, corruption, sexual harassment and sextortion, and mental health and well-being.
Two IAWJ-KC members shared their experience on mentorship specifically:
Hon. Njeri Thuku, Principal Magistrate and member of IAWJ-KC shared: "It’s hard to share my journey in the judiciary without mentioning the role of the IAWJ-KC . . .
It was in that environment that I encountered the women judges who have played a significant part in shaping who I am today and where I stand." She continued, "These women judges have mentored me, both through their direct support and by letting me learn from observing them."
Hon. Lady Justice Jessie Lesiit, Judge of Appeal and a member of IAWJ-KC, further shared that she had found herself in the role of a mentor, though it was not something she initially intended. Over time, it has become a guiding principle for her. She feels a strong urge to mentor and support others, with the aim of sharing knowledge, experiences, and skills to help them grow and develop. This, in turn, enhances their confidence and self-reliance, empowering them to make better decisions and be more effective in their work.
CEN consultant, Dr. Nancy Baraza, emphasized that the CEN focuses on providing women judges and magistrates with vital support and opportunities for leadership development. To ensure the success of the CEN, and prepare for its eventual expansion outside of Nairobi, a robust monitoring, evaluation and learning framework will be established to track progress, measure the impact of CEN initiatives for participants and within the judiciary as a whole, and ensure continuous improvement.
Hon. Lady Justice Hellen Omondi, JA President IAWJ-KC, acknowledged the partnership between IAWJ and IAWJ-KC in the implementation of the CEN. One objective of the CEN is to establish mentorship relationships between judges, magistrates, and their colleagues to build skills, facilitate the pursuit of leadership positions in the judiciary, improve the number of women at the upper echelons of the institution, and strengthen women judges’ capacity to react to gender stereotypes and bias within the sector.
At the close of the launch, the Hon. Chief Justice highlighted that the CEN represents important progress in transforming the judiciary and elevating the voices of women leaders and women in law, signifying a major milestone in the effort to achieve gender equality and empower women within the legal profession.
She stated that women have made indispensable contributions to the development of justice systems worldwide. Their perspectives stem from the experiences they have navigated through complex societal dynamics. Women bring inclusivity and fairness to the interpretation and application of law. However, despite these advancements, the judiciary and legal profession still face barriers, including inadequate representation in leadership roles, systemic biases, and a lack of mentorship opportunities.
The Hon. Chief Justice also highlighted that the post-2010 Constitutional era has granted women unprecedented rights in leadership. Reflecting on the justice sector, we have witnessed a historic moment where women now hold key positions, including Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and Attorney General. Women did not simply rise into these roles; they worked tirelessly to get there and have remained steadfast in their administration of justice.
Over the course of the next two years, through the CEN, IAWJ and IAWJ-KC seek to continue to transform the Kenyan judiciary in a way that ensures that women judges and Magistrates not only rise in the ranks, but also thrive within the institution, with the ability to exert their unique voices and perspectives, leaving their indelible mark, and paving the way for future women leaders.
