Women, let your inner light shine! Women deserve and want an equal, stereotypical, stigma and
violence free world. For the world to get there, we all need to ensure sustainable, peaceful and
equal opportunities and rights. As a result, choices need to be made. These choices will challenge
systemic norms and create changes that will eventually trickle down generations to come. This
year’s theme, Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,
appreciates the effort women and girls worldwide have taken to create an equal future as well as
the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in of all areas of life drives progress for
everyone. Various women have fought in their respective spaces for the rights of women, their
equal treatment as well as destruction of the stereotypical ideas held against women over the
generations. Here is a list of women challenging the status quo and are making big things
happen:

First of their own.
Jacinda Arden is the youngest Prime Minister New Zealand has had. Her leadership through the
Covid-19 pandemic resulted in her receiving a whole new admiration. The world praised and
endorsed her leadership in regards to the steady and swift response to which her government
handled the pandemic.

Wangari Maathai was not only the first African woman but also the first environmentalist to win
a Nobel Prize. She was acknowledged for her efforts to fight oppression by the Government at
that time encouraging people to stand for their democratic rights and especially encouraged
women to better their situation. She also fought against deforestation and stood firm against
destruction of various forests across the country and privatization of public land for preservation
to serve future generations.

Women in the entertainment industry
Lupita Nyongo has curved a path for herself in not only the Kenyan space but also in the
Hollywood entertainment industry. She worked her way through the misogyny that was in the
industry, produced, directed and starred in several movies that have catapulted her to the award
winning actress. She has also given very many Kenyan actresses, women and girls hopes that
they too can be stars in a male dominated space and even rise to the highest award nominations
and positions.

Women in politics
Naisula Lesuuda is an inspiration for any girls or young adults who may want to join the political
space. She was the youngest female member to be elected to the senate in 2013. She also was the
youngest Kenyan woman to win the Presidential Order of Grand Warrior award for founding
several organizations to promote peace. She also founded the Naisula Lesuuda Peace Foundation
which advocates for the education of girls and for the eradication of female genital mutilation
and child marriages. Her efforts towards creating a safe world for women as well as her
community helped her bag the World Politician of the Year Award for outstanding contribution in
peace and education in her community.

Martha Karua, also known as the woman of steel, has consistently fought for the protection of
women’s rights and improvements to the democratic process. She is a well-known politician,
successful lawyer and champion for political equality. She was one of the great proponents of
multi-party democracy. She has been involved in championing women’s rights through public
interest litigation, lobbying and advocacy for laws that enhance and protect women’s rights
through her work with various women’s organizations, particularly the International Federation
of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) and the League of Kenya Women Voters. Her vision of a
woman friendly government has been her driving force.

Women in sports.
Tegla Lorupe may have come from a rough childhood, but it took her every morning run to
school for her to acknowledge that she had a gift in running. She joined competitions at school
and finally her light shone. She has won numerous international competitions that eventually
landed her big roles like the United Nations Ambassador of Sports, an International Sports
Ambassador for the IAAF, the International Association of Athletics Federations and eventually
she was awarded United Nations Person of the Year. Lorupe serves as a motivation to any girls
or young women who may feel like their backgrounds determine how successful they maybe.
She has helped in ensuring that women have hope in whatever sphere’s they may be in.

Serena Williams has been a sports icon that women both young and old look up to. She has risen
to limelight because of her raw athleticism and great skill, strengthening her core trait of
resilience. She has suffered several injuries but each time she overcame and returns as good if
not better. Using her various platforms, she has been able to encourage women both young and
old to face whatever it is they put their mind to. Whether it is in the sports world or even the
career world, Serena Williams has created a path for many women to follow in her footsteps.

These are just some women who have curved out a clear path in the various spheres of their
influence. They have not only proven that it is possible, but also proven that when women lead,
we see positive results. This is why; this year’s International Women’s Day was a rallying cry for
Generation Equality, to act for an equal future for all. Who are the women who inspire you?
Share with us in the comment section.