MBORI: This International Women’s Day, let's Dance for progress, not performance

As International Women’s Day 2026 begins, the atmosphere is filled with the usual celebratory music and well-rehearsed speeches.

However, as the Executive Director of AMWIK, I have a simple suggestion: let us dance, but let us be clear about the rhythm we follow.

For too long, the political stage has treated women like "flower girls," meant to provide aesthetic appeal and applause for someone else’s agenda.

This year, under the banner of #Rights.Justice.Action for ALL Women and Girls, we are moving away from mere performance.

We are not here to be the decorative added flavour to a rally; we are here to be the core of the solution, dancing not for the cameras but for the real progress of every woman and girl in this country.

Today’s woman is not an accident; she is shaped by the strength and inspiration of those who refused to be small.

We stand on the shoulders of Prof. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Laureate, whose defense of our environment showed that a woman’s voice is a powerful force.

We draw energy from the trailblazing spirit of Charity Ngilu, who broke the myth that the presidency belonged only to men, and from the unwavering determination of Martha Karua, who has spent years standing for justice and the rule of law.

These women did not achieve greatness by playing small or waiting for permission. They recognized their worth, fought for their space, and stood tall, teaching us that leadership is not handed out; it is claimed.

This legacy continues with a new group of leaders who are redefining power. We see this in the strategic brilliance of leaders like Senator Crystal Asige, Asha Bashir, Secretary-General of the People’s Liberation Party, and Catherine Omanyo, Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement.

We see it in the executive leadership of Hon Millie Odhiambo, and Governors like Cecily Mbarire of Embu and Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, who prove every day that when a woman leads, the benefits reach the grassroots.

These are women of character and focus, who refuse to engage in corruption and reject being fillers for quotas. They demonstrate that we do not need tokens; we need transformative leaders who make their impact felt through action.

To achieve the 2/3 gender rule and see more women rise, we must be strong and united. We need to demand a system where justice is not a privilege but a right. This also calls for a significant shift in our media landscape.

As the Association of Media Women in Kenya, we advocate for media that actively promotes women’s content and provides a platform for their voices to flourish.

The media must stop pushing women to the sidelines and start acknowledging them as the policy makers and economic engines they really are.

The whole world is watching us, and we have a responsibility to set a positive example for our children. We must mentor the younger generation, showing them that leadership involves integrity, stature, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Let us celebrate the women who break barriers and inspire others to rise. This International Women’s Day, let us dance for the right reasons; let us dance for rights, for justice, and for a future where every girl knows she was born to lead, not just to decorate the stage.

Queenter Mbori is the Executive Director, Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK)