Second International Conference

Boma Inn

Eldoret, Kenya

3rd - 4th October 2018

The Language, Gender and Leadership Network, funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), will enhance economic development and the welfare of women and girls by analysing the key challenges facing them to become a successful generation of leaders in businesses and politics in Africa and beyond.

Following the successful launch of the Language, Gender and Leadership Network in Kampala in April 2018, the second international Conference of the Language and Gender Network took place in Eldoret, Kenya, 3-4th October 2018. The theme of our second conference was ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Business and Political Leadership’.

Our growing Network provides innovative opportunities for academics, politicians, policy makers, NGOs, charities and other stakeholders to come together to focus on the core communicative skills required to succeed as leaders in businesses and politics, through a focus on the power of narrative as an empowerment device.

Ms Letty Chiwara, UN Women, The African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa

Our keynote speaker was Ms Letty Chiwara, UN Women, The African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

Our chief guest was Prof Margaret Kobia, PhD, MGH, Cabinet Secretary.

We aim to inform and influence policy makers in East Africa and beyond on the gender-based challenges currently being faced, alongside equipping communities of women and girls with the aspirations, beliefs and skills required to succeed in future leadership positions. The initial work of this innovative network took place in Uganda and Kenya, and will then be rolled out globally.

Download the Programme here

Message from the 'Founder Members, The Language, Gender and Leadership Network'

"We are very pleased that the membership of the Language, Gender and Leadership Network is growing rapidly with each of our networking conference events. We are continuing to develop a pan-African and global network of academics, NGOs, charities, human rights groups and other organisations, placing the voices of women and girls at the centre of the Network, funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Following a range of emergent topics from our inaugural conference in Kampala, our second networking event focused specifically on business and politics and the key issues surrounding opportunities and challenges for women and girls, based on the lived experiences of members of society from Kenya and East Africa through narrative report. We were joined by a number of prominent speakers, panelists and delegates from across East Africa, the UK and the US at our second event. We will continue to explore the crucial importance of communication and community-based storytelling as empowerment devices, enabling more women and girls to enter leadership positions in their societies.”

Professor Louise Mullany, University of Nottingham, UK

Dr. Masibo Lumala, Moi University, Kenya

Dr. Roshni Mooneeram African Leadership Network

Ms Rita Atukwasa, Institute of Social Transformation, Uganda

Women's Co-operative, Uganda