More than 300 women from Kenya's business, diplomatic, corporate, and entrepreneurial circles gathered in Nairobi over the weekend for a forum focused on leadership, financial independence, and professional growth. The gathering, dubbed the Suhba Series: Becoming Her, was founded by communications strategist and entrepreneur Farida Idris and is now in its second edition. The event brought together women from various sectors to share their experiences and discuss ways to achieve professional success.
The forum featured several prominent speakers, including former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, media personality and Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute President and CEO Julie Gichuru, and Iktifaa Shari'ah-Compliant Investment House CEO Sumayya Hassan. Presidential Advisor on Women's Rights Harriette Chiggai attended as chief guest, while Institute of Human Resource Management Executive Director and Council Secretary Quresha Abdullahi was the special guest.
Discussions at the forum centered on leadership, identity, resilience, reinvention, financial independence, and the personal experiences behind professional success. Mohamed urged women to view personal and professional growth as a continuous process while using their experiences to create opportunities for others. She emphasized that growth and learning are essential for women to succeed in their careers and make a positive impact.
Chiggai challenged women to go beyond simply occupying leadership positions and ensure they have a meaningful influence on decisions. She emphasized that women should be able to contribute to conversations, influence decisions, and have the confidence to express their opinions. Abdullahi called on women in leadership to create opportunities for others, saying another woman's progress should serve as evidence of their leadership.
The organisers said attendance at the forum has grown from 160 women during its inaugural edition to more than 300 this year, reflecting increased interest in platforms that allow women to establish professional and personal connections beyond conventional networking. Idris said the initiative seeks to create a space where women can learn from each other's experiences while establishing relationships that could translate into professional and business opportunities.
According to Idris, the long-term plan is to develop Suhba into a community bringing together women from different generations and industries to create business opportunities, mentorship networks, and pathways for other women. She emphasized that the goal is to create a meaningful conversation that leads to partnerships, new opportunities, and inspiration for women to pursue their goals.
The Suhba Series: Becoming Her has become a significant platform for women in Kenya to connect, learn, and grow. With its growing attendance and prominent speakers, the forum has established itself as a leading event for women's empowerment and leadership in the country. The event has provided a space for women to share their stories, learn from each other, and create lasting connections.
Key points
- The Suhba Series: Becoming Her forum aims to create a community of women from different generations and industries to create business opportunities and mentorship networks.
- The forum's attendance has grown from 160 women in its inaugural edition to over 300 this year, reflecting increased interest in women's empowerment and leadership.
- The event features prominent speakers, including former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi.
