Saumu, Treasury Accountant in Nairobi, Kenia

Saumu is Treasury Accountant at our Nairobi office in Kenya. She leads a self-determined life. Saumu has a good education and a sufficient income. This is not valid for many of her countrywomen. In Kenya, females are 30 percent less likely to have the same opportunities as males to develop in economic opportunities, education, health and political leadership (Global GenderGap Report 2021.pdf). Many Kenyan women still make up a vulnerable group being confronted with poverty, child marriage and life-threatening beliefs about gender roles. See how Saumu steps out of this and leaves her footprint in constantly improving the situation for herself and her compatriots. “I have three daughters. My family-in-law expects me to give birth to a son. According to them, my first job is to be a good wife, then loving mother, then caring daughter-in-law and somewhere at the end of this list, I may work.”, says Saumu. There are still some tribes in her country forcing men to get another wife if no son is born, she tells us. The different perceived value of a man compared to a woman is still very present in Kenya. Our colleague shook this off: “I do what I want to do and that is right. That is me.”