More than 120 adolescent girls and young women from across Kenya met in Nairobi for the sixth edition of the Girls Assembly, demanding stronger avenues to influence leadership, decision-making, and development initiatives that affect their lives. The event, organised by Polycom Girls, brought together participants such as female leaders, policymakers, development partners, and women's rights advocates.
Discussions at the Assembly covered a range of topics, including ending violence against women and girls, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, climate justice, water-sanitation-hygiene, economic justice, Women, Peace and Security, and male allyship. With Kenya's 2027 General Election on the horizon, participants highlighted the need for peaceful political engagement and for creating space for young women to contribute to public decision-making.
Jane Anyango, founder and executive director of Polycom Girls, said the organisation aims to equip girls with leadership skills and encourage their meaningful involvement in governance and political processes. The Assembly was deliberately structured to give girls space to develop and present their own ideas, with participants helping shape the agenda and discussions.
Florence Syevuo, executive director of the SDGs Kenya Forum, stressed that development conversations must reflect girls' lived realities, such as safe environments, menstrual health, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Organisers and participants emphasised the importance of capacity-building and ownership in achieving lasting impact.
Since its launch, the Annual Girls Assembly has linked more than 1,000 young women with mentors, policymakers, donors, and development partners, turning gender-equality commitments into leadership opportunities. The sixth gathering also set the stage for deeper dialogue on peace and social cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speakers noted that while development partners can provide resources, lasting impact requires capacity, ownership, and partnerships at the community level. They urged continued engagement with girls and young women beyond individual projects, emphasising the need for sustained grassroots engagement.
The Assembly concluded with a clear message: girls and young women must not only be prepared for the future but also be given meaningful opportunities to shape it. Organisers pledged that the seventh Assembly will place greater emphasis on peacebuilding and inclusive electoral participation, ensuring that young women's voices continue to be heard.
Key points
- The 6th Annual Girls Assembly in Nairobi called for greater youth leadership and participation in decision-making ahead of Kenya's 2027 General Election.
- The event, organised by Polycom Girls, brought together over 120 adolescent girls and young women to discuss topics such as gender-based violence, climate justice, and economic justice.
- The Assembly aims to equip girls with leadership skills and encourage their involvement in governance and political processes, with a focus on peacebuilding and inclusive electoral participation.
