In a move to foster a safer, more inclusive academic environment, the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) program Gender team, in partnership with the University of Eldoret’s Directorate of Gender, Inclusivity and Equality, held a transformative one-day workshop in Naivasha.

The session brought together members of the University Council and the University Management Board, with a strong focus on strengthening institutional leadership in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), while also addressing mental health awareness and promoting work-life balance among staff.

Recognizing that inclusive governance begins with informed and empowered leadership, the workshop offered practical training on the legal and policy frameworks surrounding GBV, underscoring the critical oversight role the University Council must play in ensuring safe learning and working spaces.

Key facilitators included Dr. Richard Nason’go, Director of the Gender and Disability Development Center, and Ms. Carolyne Afandi, Senior Program Officer at the same center, who guided participants through Kenya’s evolving GBV legal framework and its implications for university governance.

Mental wellbeing was another major pillar of the workshop, with Dr. Mary Njuguna, Consultant Psychiatrist from Mathare National Teaching and Referral Hospital, engaging participants on the importance of mental health care in academic institutions. Her session highlighted early signs of burnout, stress, and depression, and emphasized institutional strategies for supporting staff well-being.

Also present was Education Cabinet Secretary Migosi Ogamba, who commended the University for taking proactive steps toward mainstreaming gender-responsive governance. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among leadership to drive policy action, reinforce institutional accountability mechanisms, and embed gender equity and staff wellbeing into the core of university operations.

This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts by TAGDev 2.0 to strengthen governance structures within partner universities and promote inclusive, people-centered development in Africa’s higher education sector.