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.
Gracing the event as guest of honour was Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani who began her illustrious career as a legal counsel at FIDA-Kenya before plunging into politics in 2013 as deputy governor.
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; Lilian Mwaura, FIDA-Kenya Founder; Mwaura Kabata and LSK Vice President Eric Kivuva.
Speaker after speaker reflected on FIDA-Kenya’s transformative journey over the past 40 years, sharing insights on strengthening advocacy, enhancing access to justice, and deepening collaboration across the legal and women’s rights sectors.
The speakers underscored the importance of unity, mentorship, and policy reforms in sustaining the momentum of the women’s rights movement.
The retreat held at the Diamonds Leisure Beach and Golf Resort provided members with a platform to reconnect, strategize, and reaffirm their commitment to promoting gender equality and social justice.
“As a young lawyer, being part of FIDA-Kenya gave me the foundation I needed to serve as governor with integrity and courage,” said Achani.
She added, “Today, as a governor, I continue to carry those values with me in advancing gender equity at the county level.”
Achani reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment through initiatives in economic inclusion, education, and leadership development.
These include county-sponsored women entrepreneurship programs, gender desks in government offices, and community-based training on legal literacy and rights awareness.
“Leadership is not about titles, it’s about transformation. When women rise, communities thrive,” she added.
The county boss said she has prioritized women’s empowerment as a key pillar of socio-economic transformation in the coastal county.
She said some of the county’s flagship efforts include, the Kwale Women Enterprise Support Programme (KWESP), A county-backed fund offering grants and affordable credit to women-led businesses, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. Thousands of women have benefited through financial training and access to markets.
She said on gender mainstreaming in governance; the county government has taken bold steps to ensure gender representation in leadership and public service.
“Through affirmative action and targeted mentorship, more women have taken up roles in local administration and county assemblies,” she said.
She said in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV), in partnership with civil society and development partners, the county has set up GBV Recovery Centres within local health facilities and community surveillance committees to respond to and prevent cases of domestic and sexual violence.
Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe noted that FIDA-Kenya has been a lighthouse for women and girls, championing landmark litigation, shaping our Constitution, leading the fight against gender-based violence and providing free legal aid that has restored dignity and changed lives.
“We reflect on the challenges that persist from the rising backlash against women’s rights and technology-facilitated gender-based violence to structural barriers and the unfulfilled promise of the two-thirds gender principle,” said Wang’ombe.
The PS said the government remains committed to working with FIDA-Kenya and other partners to close gender gaps, protect rights and expand opportunities through policies, economic empowerment programs and survivor-centred approaches.
“We must continue to break the barriers that keep women from occupying decision-making spaces,” said the PS.
Dr Nancy Baraza, Chair of the Gender-Based Violence Taskforce and a former Deputy Chief Justice encouraged young women in the legal profession to pursue excellence and resilience.
“Your voice matters. Your presence in the courtroom, in boardrooms, and in parliament matters. The future of justice depends on your courage today,” she said.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo said as FIDA-Kenya looks ahead, the lessons shared and networks strengthened during the retreat will fuel its mission to champion the rights and dignity of women and girls for generations to come.
“For four decades, FIDA-Kenya’s unwavering commitment has changed lives and shaped justice, empowered over 3 million women and transformed the legal landscape,” she said.
She said standing among founders, litigators, and mentors who have broken barriers, brought dignity and made the law a tool for equity was deeply humbling.
“As we honour that journey, we must also fuel the future by deepening mentorship, embracing innovation, and ensuring that the fight for justice reaches every woman, from courtrooms in our cities to the grassroots,” she said.
The LSK president emphasised the role of legal practitioners in mentoring the next generation of female lawyers and supporting victims of gender injustice.
She said together with FIDA-Kenya, the LSK remains committed to advancing legal practice that is inclusive, forward-looking and unstoppable.
“As we reflect on the journey of 40 years, we are here to ignite the next four decades with courage and compassion,” she said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
