Not too long ago, people believed a woman’s place was at home, where she raised children and managed the household while men went out to work and put food on the table. This norm went unquestioned, and many Kenyan homes passed down this narrative like gospel.
But now, everything has changed. Drastically.
A TRADITIONAL SETUP, NOW DISRUPTED
Historically, cultures from Kitui to Kisumu clearly defined gender roles. Men acted as providers and protectors, while women were caregivers and nurturers. Although their work at home was crucial, it often went unpaid and undervalued.
French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir once wrote that society relegated women to a “second sex,” expecting them to exist in the shadow of their male counterparts. Colonial, religious, and cultural systems deeply entrenched this perspective, placing women as dependents rather than as decision-makers.
THE SHIFT: WAR, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMY
What caused this shift? A mix of necessity and progress.
During global events like World War II, women stepped into workplaces as men went to fight. In Kenya, the same occurred during the Mau Mau uprising and later in the independence era, where women played both activist and support roles, hustling just like men.
Fast forward to today, education has become the biggest game-changer. According to UNESCO, female enrollment in universities across Africa has risen steadily. More educated women now hold positions in boardrooms, hospitals, media houses, and politics.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reports that by 2023, women comprised over 35% of the formal employment sector in Kenya. In counties like Nairobi and Mombasa, women dominate industries such as retail, healthcare, and hospitality.
TODAY’S WOMAN: BALANCING CAREER AND CULTURE
The modern Kenyan woman isn’t just employed; she leads, innovates, and disrupts industries. From CEOs like Carole Kariuki (KEPSA) to content creators and digital entrepreneurs, women demonstrate their capability to “bring home the bacon” if not more.
Yet, they face challenges. The gender pay gap still exists. Women perform three times more unpaid care work than men (UN Women, 2023). They also encounter workplace discrimination, limited access to credit for women-led businesses, and societal pressure to “settle down.”
Despite these obstacles, women build careers while nurturing families. They reshape what it means to be a provider and a parent.
We have transitioned from a time when women were confined to the kitchen to an era where they run kitchens and companies. This shift isn’t just about equality; it represents a recognition of the full human potential of half the population.
As a society, we still need to improve: we require better maternity policies, fair wages, access to childcare, and an end to gender-based violence. However, the progress is real and undeniable.
It’s hard to believe that once a woman’s only job was to stay home. Now, she can become anything: a farmer, a lawyer, a coder, or a governor. She no longer has to choose between motherhood and ambition; she can embrace both.
By
Susan Muli
