Google has announced a collaboration with the Kenyan Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) to improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion within organizations and the workplace.
The collaboration which is part of the #IamRemarkable initiative will see the expansion of the Grow with Google digital skills program to reach more women, girls and underrepresented groups in Kenya.
#IamRemarkable is a global Google initiative which aims to empower everyone, particularly women and underrepresented groups, to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond. It was started by two Google employees to challenge the social perception around self-promotion, help participants feel more comfortable with self-promotion and encourage women and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond.
As part of the partnership, KEWOPA will provide coordination in mobilizing and supporting its members, their constituents and KEWOPA’s network of women entrepreneurs, students and emerging women leaders. This is expected to benefit these groups from Google’s training programs, including #IamRemarkable and Grow with Google.
Some of the legislators who attended the forum in Nairobi both physically and virtually included Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, the KEWOPA Chairperson and Women Representative, Kiambu County, Hon. Martha Wangari, MP, Gilgil, Hon. Prof. Jacquiline Oduol, Chair, Nominated Members Caucus (National Assembly), Hon. Esther Passaris, Women Representative, Nairobi County, Hon. Soipan Tuya, MP, Narok County, Hon. Ruth Mwaniki, MP Kigumo, Hon. Jane Kihara, MP, Naivasha, Hon. Petronilla Were, Nominated Senator, Hon. Charity Kathambi, MP, Njoro, Ho.n Rachael Nyamai, MP Kitui South and Hon. Beatrice Adagala, Women Representative, Vihiga County.
“All remarkable things are surprisingly simple, yet so powerful. Today, we’ve learnt here that it’s not painful for us to identify our remarkability, and it’s also not painful for us to talk about it. I look forward to an opportunity when the Google team will work with KEWOPA members to train our media and social media teams on how to package the remarkability of women politicians,” said Hon Wamuchomba while giving her welcome address about the #IamRemarkable campaign.
Alex Gakuru, the Executive Director, CODE-IP Trust, said that his organization works with partners to promote technology rights in the areas of policy, law, and regulation.
“In the past, we’ve engaged with policy makers, legislators and the relevant regulators in our pursuit of technology justice. Over the past, we’ve also learnt that no one can honestly talk about the internet without engaging or interacting with Google. Therefore, we engage with Google primarily for two reasons – one, to ensure that they uphold individual rights online, and two, to recognize and appreciate them when they uphold those rights by doing the right thing, and this is one such event,” said Gakuru.