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KNOWLEDGE FOR POLICY

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Publication | 2024

Kenya Economic Update: Special Focus on Women's Economic Empowerment

Kenya’s macroeconomic environment improved in 2024, following a tighter macroeconomic policy framework. Still, GDP growth is decelerating as Kenya faced a multiplicity of challenges during the year. Broadening economic participation through women’s economic empowerment is essential for easing Kenya’s socioeconomic pressures. The government of Kenya is committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment through a progressive legal and policy framework; however, significant gender gaps in economic outcomes persist. Persistent gender economic gaps in Kenya are driven by a complex interplay of factors across the life cycle. Key areas such as early childhood development, education, age at family formation, sexual and reproductive health, and social norms are central to understanding women’s economic outcomes. Achieving lasting progress in women’s economic empowerment requires a comprehensive, multisectoral approach that addresses the interconnected challenges women face throughout their lives. A successful strategy also relies on timely, high-quality sex-and-gender-disaggregated data, including information on vulnerable populations such as the poor, women in ASALs, and refugees. This data is crucial for developing effective policies and tracking progress toward women’s economic empowerment. Promoting women’s economic empowerment does not mean leaving men behind; correcting economic gender imbalances benefits everyone and contributes to the county's overall development.