Today marked a colossal fete for the Centre, as we launched the reviewed Gender Policy, in what was a colourful launch. It was attended by members of our Joint Control Board, chaired by ACDF OPD&T, Maj Gen F Leuria, the IPSTC fraternity led by the Director Brigadier Joyce Sitienei, and UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional Office Rep, Ms Maureen Shonge.
Owing to changes in the gender, peace and security ecosystem, we needed to evaluate our previous gender policy that was launched in 2015.
Before reassessment, the policy made significant strides in ensuring all our curricula were gender mainstreamed, as well as seeing gender aspects inculcated into our HR manual, among other achievements.
To stay up to date with the latest, evolving regulations and best practices in the Women Peace Security (WPS) and Gender Equality ecosystem, the policy was reviewed externally and contains a comprehensive budgeted action plan, as well as expanded core functions that include the integration of IPSTC Post Graduate School (IPS).
In the policy's foreword penned by Brig J C Sitienei, she writes, "...the policy will enhance the gender management skills of staff and stakeholders, as well as raise the general level of awareness which includes working to change attitudes and behaviour of individuals."
Attending the launch, Ms Maureen Shonge gave her remarks and spoke glowingly of the IPSTC's leading role in advancing the WPS agenda regionally, and its efforts in reviewing the Gender Policy and anchoring it on the positive gains achieved to date.
We are committed to the continued contribution to the implementation of Kenya's National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (WPS) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which is one of the key objectives of the Reviewed Gender Policy.
