Promoting Gender Equality in Science and Innovation in Kenya

This profile explores how gender and inclusion issues shape Kenya’s research and innovation systems. Developed through the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), the report highlights the challenges faced by women and other marginalised groups in accessing and advancing within STI fields.

It focuses on six key areas identified by UNESCO’s SAGA framework, including education, career progression, research content, and STI policies.

Key Findings

Kenya has made significant progress in gender equality through the implementation of strong policies and reforms. Yet, several barriers still limit women’s full participation in STI. For example:

• Only 1 in 5 researchers in Kenya are women.
• Women make up just 8% of those qualified in engineering and technology.
• Girls face high dropout rates after primary school, with only 8% reaching tertiary education.

Despite these challenges, the government has enacted laws and policies—such as the 2020 STI Policy and School Re-entry Policy—to support inclusion. However, poor implementation and a lack of gender-disaggregated data weaken their impact.

What’s Holding Women Back?

The report identifies major obstacles that continue to affect women in STI, such as:

• Gender stereotypes in education and science
• Limited access to research funding and mentorship
• Unequal domestic responsibilities and workplace discrimination
• A lack of gender-sensitive planning in universities and research institutions

What Needs to Happen

To create a more inclusive STI ecosystem, the report recommends:

• Investing in gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis
• Strengthening policies with proper monitoring and enforcement
• Increasing support for women in research through funding and mentoring
• Tackling harmful social norms and workplace inequalities

Looking Ahead

Kenya has the foundation to become a leader in inclusive science and innovation. By closing gender gaps in STI, the country can unlock its full human potential and achieve more sustainable development for all. This profile is a valuable tool for policymakers, funders, and researchers committed to gender equality in STI.