New reports reveal link between women’s empowerment and child well-being in Kenya
The Women's Empowerment Index report presents evidence that empowering women has a direct, positive impact on children's health and education outcomes
Empowering women with resources and opportunities not only enhances their own well-being but also significantly improves children’s health and community development, according to two new reports released at the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay.
The two reports, titled Brighter Futures: Breaking Cycles of Poverty for Children in Kenya (Volume I) and Women’s Empowerment Index in Kenya (Volume II) were spearheaded by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in collaboration with UNICEF Kenya and UN Women.
The Brighter Futures report reveals that while notable gains have been made in child survival and education, a significant number of Kenya’s children still face poverty, undernutrition, limited access to basic services, and other risks. In addition to these challenges, children in Kenya are also affected by climate-related risks and threats, rising poverty, and limited access to health, nutrition and education services. Rapid urbanisation and disability further exacerbate the exclusion of children, as those living in informal settlements continue to face a lack of access to basic services.
“Addressing child poverty in Kenya requires policies based on solid evidence and data, and this is what the Brighter Futures report provides. Without up-to date and high-quality data on child well-being, we risk overlooking the needs of children in Kenya, especially the vulnerable and underserved,” said Dr Macdonald George Obudho, Director General of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
According to the Brighter Futures report, over half (55 per cent) of Kenyan children are multidimensionally poor as compared to 45 per cent in 2014. These children experience deprivation in at least three dimensions of their well-being, highlighting a worsening trend in child poverty over the past decade. Stark disparities exist between urban and rural children, with 66 per cent of rural children likely to be multidimensionally poor compared to 28 per cent of their urban counterparts. Regional inequalities persist, with counties such as Mandera, Turkana, Samburu, and Wajir reporting deprivation rates exceeding 90 per cent. Meanwhile, Nairobi, Kiambu, and Nyeri have the lowest rates of child poverty, highlighting the urgent need for targeted, equity-driven interventions.
UNICEF Kenya Deputy Representative Mahboob Ahmed Bajwa stated: “Kenya has made commendable progress in child survival and education — but too many children still face poverty, undernutrition, and limited access to basic services. There is hope – because when a woman is empowered to take charge of her family’s well-being, she uplifts her children, her household and her community to greater heights.”
The Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) report established that 40.6 per cent of women in Kenya are empowered in 2025 compared to 29.3 per cent in 2020. Women in urban areas, with higher education levels, and those from wealthier households tend to be more empowered – highlighting significant disparities that must be addressed. Women in urban areas (59.3 per cent) are more than twice empowered than women in rural areas (27.6 per cent).
Empowerment levels vary significantly by age. Women age 18 – 24 were the most empowered at 48.0 per cent followed by women age 25-34 at 45.5 per cent. Young girls age 15-17 were the least empowered, while older women age 35-49 recorded a relatively lower level of empowerment at 37.6 per cent. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions, especially for younger, and older women. County analysis shows that women empowerment varies considerably across the 47 counties. For instance, women in Nyeri and Nairobi City are the most empowered compared to women in Mandera, Wajir and Garissa Counties who are the least empowered.
Further, the WEI study includes a trend analysis of women age 18 – 49 years comparing empowerment indicators. The two reports from this study explores how women’s empowerment affects child outcomes on access to health, nutrition, education, and protection services, across time. The WEI report presents evidence that empowering women has a direct, positive impact on children’s health and education outcomes. It calls for a multisectoral approach to address children’s needs and vulnerabilities early in life, through timely interventions.
Key recommendations include improving access to education for girls and young women in rural areas, promoting digital literacy and technology access, amplifying women’s agency in household and community decision-making, and challenging harmful social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. Special attention is urged for women in vulnerable situations, including those with disabilities, older women, and widows.
UN Country Representative Antonia Ngabala-Sodonon called on the government to allocate more funds for women’s empowerment programmes. She said this would help empower more women and support girls’ education across the country. “We urge the government to increase the budget for women’s empowerment and to prioritize the education of girls,” Sodonon concluded.
Both reports call on stakeholders to act boldly and compassionately – expanding opportunities and resources for women and children to break the cycles of poverty and vulnerability that have held back generations.
