As part of the Gender Equality and Inclusivity (GEI) Project, Kenya is a council that wholeheartedly demonstrates the self-reflexivity of the gender equality, inclusivity, and intersectionality (GEII) process. They use workshops with other councils to collaborate so that they can constantly refine how they are developing and implementing GEII. 

Kenya is faced with challenges in the grant-making process that hinder women’s participation in R&D activities and reduce their access to grants. They are in the process of changing this through interventions such as strategic partnerships, mentorship programmes, training and development, and policy reviews. 

Acting Deputy Director at the National Research Fund (NRF), Kenya, Nzuki Kioko Mwania, explains how they are partnering with institutions to provide scholarships and funding for young girls who wish to pursue STEM education. They have partners in Germany to give girls the opportunity to study abroad with the intention that they return to Kenya with these skills, especially in marginalised communities. 

Faith Wakhungu from the NRF Kenya explains that they’re creating opportunities to help girls who face challenges with their education. Many of these challenges are centred on cultural practices, so the NRF is encouraging national discourse to address gender disparity. Furthermore, they’re constantly reviewing the gender responsiveness of their policies. In line with this, they take any opportunity to collaborate with other councils to drive change. 

The NRF Kenya wants to develop more tools to help them develop their gender equality, inclusivity, and intersectionality (GEII) commitment and help researchers, reviewers and policymakers integrate GEII. They believe that overcoming cultural, systemic barriers and capacity building is essential for achieving an inclusive and equitable research environment. For the Kenyan council, success is that no one is left behind and that men and women are fully represented. They want inclusivity across the board with equal opportunities for everyone. 

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Funding for implementing GEII activities was provided by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the National Research Foundation, South Africa.