“Empowering women is not an event; it is acontinuous commitment.” With these words,Dr.Joyce G. N. Kithure, Kenya’s Second Lady, opened an evening that stood out not for its glamour but for its sense of collective purpose
Speaking at the inaugural First Ladies of Africa Impact and Resilience (FLAIR), Women’s Empowerment Gala and Dinner Awards at Nairobi’s Fairmont the Norfolk, she framed the gathering as part of a long-term continental effort, one that demands sustained investment in women’s leadership and the systems that enable it.
The event, hosted by the University of Nairobi, marked the latest chapter in the First Ladies of Africa Impact and Resilience (FLAIR) initiative. From the onset, Dr. Kithure, a scientist at the university’s Department of Chemistry, made clear that FLAIR is not merely ceremonial. “FLAIR is more than a program. It is a movement, a high-level, multi-sectoral platform designed to inspire, empower, and foster innovation among Africa’s First Ladies and visionary women.”
The audience in the room represented the cross-disciplinary coalition that she believes Africa needs to build. She praised the organisers for convening a space that “highlights the resilience, talent, and transformative power of women across our nation and our continent.” She called the gathering and the guiding theme a signal for a push towards measurable outcomes that resonate with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). She emphasised that progress in education, health, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and leadership requires deliberate alignment between government, academia, civil society, and industry.
Drawing from her experience as a scientist and educator, Dr. Kithure underlined the multiplying effect of investing in girls. “When a girl is given access to education, mentorship, resources, and opportunity, she does not just change her story; she changes the story of everyone around her. She becomes a catalyst for growth, innovation, and generational transformation.”
She celebrated the evening’s honourees as individuals who have expanded possibilities for others and urged that momentum must not stop at recognition. Empowerment, she reminded the audience, depends on collaboration, policy reform, sustained mentoring, and the determination to open pathways for future generations. Her closing words echoed through the hall: “Your work matters. Your voice matters. Your leadership matters.”
The FLAIR initiative itself reflects that vision. Hosted by the University of Nairobi, it brings together African First Ladies, policymakers, academics, and innovators to strengthen women’s leadership and confront pressing continental challenges, from climate change and STEM inclusion to small enterprise growth. Through high-level forums, expos, and collaborative platforms, FLAIR aims to nurture the kind of transformative development Dr. Kithure insists cannot be an event, but a continuous and shared mission.
