Скачать или смотреть Equal Footing | The Double-Edged Role of Women in Sustaining and Dismantling Harmful Gender Norms

At Equal Footing, we believe that change happens when we dive into the real stories and real solutions that are driving gender equality forward. In this episode, we sit down with Terri Maindo — a gender equality and social inclusion specialist — to confront a tough but overlooked question:

👉🏾 What happens when women themselves uphold the very patriarchal norms that oppress them?
👉🏾 And how do we break cycles of gatekeeping so women can build true agency and voice?

📊 Here’s the reality:
1 in 3 women worldwide experience gender-based violence in their lifetime (WHO).
In Kenya, FGM prevalence remains at 15% nationally — but is as high as 78% in some counties (UNICEF, 2023).
Despite women making up 50% of Kenya’s population, they hold just 23% of parliamentary seats (World Bank, 2024).

These numbers tell a story: harmful social norms, often enforced by other women, continue to limit women’s leadership, safety, and opportunity.

💡 In this episode, we explore:
1. How women can be both victims and enforcers of patriarchy — from FGM to everyday gender roles
2. Why intergenerational mentorship is key to breaking cycles of harmful norms
3. How reflection sessions help women see the power dynamics that use them as tools of oppression
4. Why trust-based, locally led funding enables real solutions instead of imposed ones

This episode challenges us to rethink agency — not as something given to women, but as something strengthened within women, passed from one generation to the next.

🟣 Equal Footing is a podcast by the Usawa Collective, spotlighting African voices reimagining what equity looks like in practice.

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💬 What insight stayed with you most? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Or contact us at usawacollective@gmail.com

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