STRENGTHENING COMMITTEE ENGAGEMENTS TO ADVANCE GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

KEWOPA convened a Reflection and Strategy Session bringing together committee clerks to strengthen engagements on health, economic opportunity, and gender priorities.

The forum examined the fiscal and policy gains achieved through joint advocacy and considered the extent to which submissions influenced the Budget Policy Statement, the Budget Estimates, and the Finance Bill. Participants reflected on lessons learned from strategies that had significant impact as well as those that were less effective.

The session placed particular emphasis on the strategic path outlook, highlighting the importance of advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment, care priorities, and women’s leadership. Clerks contributed valuable insights on how to make committee engagements more effective in supporting inclusive policies and ensuring that the gains made are sustainable.

Practical strategies were identified to enhance advocacy, expand collaboration beyond the committees directly engaged, and establish practices that will deliver long-term results. The session concluded with clear agreements on the way forward, reaffirming KEWOPA’s commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring that women’s priorities remain strongly represented in national policy and legislation.