 celebrating prof margaret kobia celebrating prof margaret kobia ebundi thu 12082022 1935 women leaders and trail blazers celebrated kobia for having made significant contributions towards women s empowerment during her tenure as a cabinet secretary the trailblazers also inducted prof kobia into the rank of trailblazer in a colorful ceremony that was attended by over one hundred women leaders and officiated by ps mary kimonye representing hon cs aisha jumwa trailblazers are women who pioneered the gender equality movement in kenya they have held top government nongovernment and international jobs leaving footprints of commitment distinction and success these women have made exemplary contribution in promoting gender equality and women s empowerment some of the trailblazers who attended the event include hon charity ngilu prof maria nzomo dr jennifer riria rahab muhiu terry kantai hellen nkaissery prof wanjiku kabira among others during prof kobia s fiveyears your term she spearheaded the establishment and launch in 2018 of the trail blazers program which identifies and rewards women leaders who have made substantial contributions to kenya s political economy she also supported several initiatives by women or towards women s empowerment notably supporting the launch of the book published by the university of nairobi s wee hub conversations with pathfinders kenyan women in politics leadership social mobilisation and constitution making  facilitating the launch of three autobiographies of three trailblazers for prof julia ojiambo hon zipporah kittony and dr lydia nzomo during the international women s day marked on march 8 2022 in addition the professor was instrumental in the establishment and the launch of the dr joyce laboso gender award in honour of the late dr laboso of bomet county one of the first three female governors in kenya the award intended to honour women who demonstrate determination perseverance and courage in the face of adversity her contribution in championing the recognition and honouring of women s service to the country as well as the contribution towards gender sensitive legislation catapulted her to join the ranks of these exemplary women leaders the initiation into the group was crowned by adorning prof kobia in african regalia a red flowing dress with white skillfully beaded cape coat and matching crown belt and headgear before being presented to the women who broke into song and dance the event was organized by a coordinating committee chaired by the uon wee hub leader and director awsc professor wanjiku kabira together with by dr jennifer riria and daisy amdany and cofunded by the un women uon wee hub echo network africa crawn trust supported by other partners including safaricom women s business network absa bank reinvent kcb collaborative centre for gender and development women in businessthe mentorship group maendeleo ya wanawake the league muslim women in kenya  weehub news standard image  