Kwale: Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) held a retreat in Kwale reflecting on four decades of unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls. The annual members retreat 2025 brought together distinguished guests and members to celebrate the organisation's rich history while charting the way forward for the women's movement in Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event was graced by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, who began her career as a legal counsel at FIDA-Kenya. Other notable speakers included Anne Wang'ombe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action; Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK); Christine Kungu, Chairperson of FIDA-Kenya; Dr Nancy Baraza, Chair of the Gender-Based Violence Taskforce; and Lilian Mwaura, FIDA-Kenya Founder.
Speaker after speaker reflected on FIDA-Kenya's transformative journey, sharing insights on advocacy, access to justice, and collaboration across the legal and women's rights sectors. The speakers highlighted the significance of unity, mentorship, and policy reforms in sustaining the women's rights movement.
The retreat provided a platform for members to reconnect, strategize, and reaffirm their commitment to promoting gender equality and social justice. Governor Achani expressed that her time with FIDA-Kenya laid the foundation for her career in governance, where she continues to promote gender equity at the county level.
Achani reaffirmed her administration's dedication to women's empowerment through initiatives in economic inclusion, education, and leadership development. She mentioned programs like the Kwale Women Enterprise Support Programme (KWESP) and efforts in gender mainstreaming in governance.
Principal Secretary Anne Wang'ombe praised FIDA-Kenya for its role in championing women's rights and providing free legal aid. She reiterated the government's commitment to working with FIDA-Kenya to close gender gaps and expand opportunities through various programs.
Dr Nancy Baraza encouraged young women in the legal profession to pursue excellence and resilience, emphasizing the importance of their presence in decision-making spaces. LSK President Faith Odhiambo highlighted the importance of mentorship and innovation as FIDA-Kenya continues its mission to champion women's rights.
The event concluded with a commitment from FIDA-Kenya and its partners to fuel the future with courage and compassion, ensuring that the fight for justice reaches every woman.