CRAWN Trust · Gender Resource Centre

Welcome to the
Gender Resource
Centre

The © Gender Resource Centre (GRC) is a digital platform innovated by CRAWN Trust to strengthen the women's rights ecosystem in Kenya.

A key feature of the platform is its comprehensive online directory, with 1,200+ women's rights organisations mapped across all 47 counties in Kenya. This directory is one of the most extensive and inclusive of its kind in the country to date, making it easier to identify and connect with organisations working at both grassroots and national levels.

Beyond the directory, the GRC serves as a central hub for networking, knowledge sharing, capacity strengthening, and collaboration. It supports researchers, policymakers, civil society actors, donors, and activists by providing information and connections to women led and women serving organisations.

Ultimately, the Gender Resource Centre plays a crucial role in documenting and tracking the progress of women in Kenya from independence to date, attributable to the voices and contributions of women over the years. By visibilizing women's progress and strengthening support systems, the GRC contributes to advancing gender equality and inclusive development nationwide.

WRO Directory →Leadership DataLegislation & Policy
1961
First woman in legislature
Priscilla Abwao
81
Women in National Assembly
Current
6
Women Governors
Current
1,200+
WROs in directory
Across all 47 counties
Explore the Platform

Everything in one place

WRO's Directory
1,200+ women's rights organisations mapped across all 47 counties.
Leadership Data
Six decades of women's representation - timelines, dashboards, county scorecards, and heat map.
Training & Capacity Strengthening
Capacity strengthening opportunities for WROs and women leaders across Kenya.
Legislation & Policy
Kenya's gender equality legal framework - from Article 27(8) to supporting legislation.
Memorandum Generator
A powerful tool that amplifies the voices of WROs by simplifying the process of developing well articulated memoranda for public participation.
Petition Builder
Kenya specific petition builder - constitutionally grounded, formally structured.
Constitutional Impact

Before & After the 2010 Constitution

Article 27(8) transformed women's representation across Kenya's institutions.

Pre-2010
Women in National Assembly (2007)21
10% of 210 seats
Women Governors0
No devolution existed
County Women RepresentativesN/A
Seat did not exist
Post-2010 · Current
Women in dual-gender constituency seats28
9.7% of 290 dual-gender seats
County Women Representatives47
Guaranteed - one per county
Women Governors6
12.8% of 47 counties

⚠ The two-thirds gender rule (33%) remains unmet in elective positions. The work continues.

Hall of Records

Historic Firsts

The women who opened the door for everyone who followed.

A
Agatha Mawondo Nimrod Mboje
First Kenya African woman to obtain a degree (Makerere College, Kenya Government bursary)
1956 · Degree Graduate (Makerere College)
P
Priscilla Abwao
First African woman to serve in Kenya's legislature (Legislative Council), appointed with effect from 9 May 1961 and gazetted 16 May 1961 (Kenya Gazette Notice No. 2266)
1961 · Nominated Member
P
Prof. Julia Auma Ojiambo
First African woman appointed to teach at the University of Nairobi (Royal College, 1965); first female Assistant Minister in Kenya (1974)
1965 · University Lecturer / Assistant Minister
E
Effie Owuor
First female State Counsel (1967); first Female Magistrate (1970); first female Judge in Kenya (1982); first female Court of Appeal Judge (1998)
1967 · State Counsel / Magistrate / Court of Appeal Judge
G
Grace Onyango
First woman elected as MP in Kenya
1969 · Member of Parliament
W
Winnie Nyiva Mwendwa
First female Cabinet Minister in Kenya (Culture and Social Services)
1995 · Cabinet Minister
D
Dr. Sally Kosgei
First woman appointed Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet (April 2001, appointed by President Moi)
2001 · Head of Public Service & Secretary to the Cabinet
W
Wangari Maathai
First African woman and first Kenyan to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2004)
2004 · Nobel Laureate / Environmentalist
View all leadership data →
Latest in the Record

Recent Milestones

View full timeline →
2024
Dorcas Agik Oduor

When she was sworn into office by President William Ruto on August 20, 2024, she made history as Kenya's first female Attorney-General since the country attaine…

2022Landmark
82 Women in National Assembly

General election on 9 August births 13th Parliament. National Assembly: 76 elected women and 260 men. 7 women elected as Governors, 3 as Senators, 29 as MPs, an…

2017
Historic Senate Nominations

General election on 8 August 2017. 3 women governors elected, 3 senators elected and 18 nominated, 23 elected MPs and 6 nominated, and 96 elected Members of Cou…

2013Landmark
First Election Under New Constitution

January 13: 10th Parliament is dissolved. March 4: First election under the new Constitution. Kenya votes in inaugural bicameral parliament. Senate has 69 membe…

Kenya's women leaders
deserve to be counted.

CRAWN Trust's commitment to making their stories visible, their data accessible, and their progress measurable.

Learn about CRAWN Trust →