The 3rd national executive committee meeting of Kenya's Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED) was held at the Kabete National Polytechnic on June 26, 2021, with the main focus being on revitalization of the body. The association is one of the pioneer projects initiated by the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) way back in 1988. While in its initial stages, the association was faced with the challenge of inadequacy in the number of women enrolled in technical and vocational education. This prompted it to carry out a survey to assess the factors accounting for this low female enrolment and participation in planning, management and implementation of technical education and training in its member institutions. Hence in 2019, the association's secretariat embarked on revitalizing WITED in Africa, through a wide range of consultations, beginning with Kenya Chapter. Among the proposals made from the consultations was to have principals of TVET institutions nominate a WITED champion from their respective institutions. This was aimed at taking advantage of the new dispensation whereby some institutions in Kenya have been upgraded to provide technical education at higher levels, with a number of women appointed to key positions at these institutions.
It was noted that only a few institutions such as Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) had endeavoured to keep WITED vibrant in their institutions. The association is, therefore, not only determined to revitalise WITED Kenya Chapter, but also achieve the following:
- Develop strategies that enhance the participation of women in Technical Education at all levels for economic empowerment
- Undertake research and publication of female participation in technical education and training;
- Raise awareness on gender issues at member institutions through conferences, workshops and training forums;
- Reinforce and implement equal opportunities through institutional support system, community life, and governmental measures and programmes addressing social and human equality.
- Develop partnerships , collaborations and linkages with WITED country chapters in Africa, development partners such as African Union Commission, Commonwealth of Learning, International Labour Organisation, gender and equality bodies, and education ministries.
- Put in place structures and policy frame work to ensure women participation in all TVET programmes; and
- To do everything possible within the association's powers to achieve its mandate in implementing WITED programmes.