In Solidarity We Resist: Marking the 2025 International Day of Action for Women’s Health
Written by John on June 2, 2025
Today, May 28, 2025, the world unites to observe the International Day of Action for Women’s Health under the powerful theme: **“In Solidarity We Resist: Our Fight, Our Right!”** This global call to action underscores the urgent need to defend and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) amid escalating challenges worldwide.
Established in 1987 by the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), this annual observance serves as a platform for activists, organizations, and communities to advocate for comprehensive women’s health rights. The 2025 theme highlights the collective resistance against a coordinated global backlash threatening SRHR, emphasizing that these rights are fundamental and non-negotiable.
In Kenya, the day resonates deeply as women continue to face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare. According to the Kenyan government, 45% of women and girls aged 15–49 have experienced violence, with many cases going unreported and few receiving medical care or justice. Local organizations and activists are mobilizing to address these issues, focusing on areas such as reproductive health education, access to contraception, and the fight against gender-based violence.
One notable figure in this movement is Kakenya Ntaiya, a Kenyan educator and activist who founded the Kakenya Center for Excellence, a primary boarding school for girls in the Maasai village of Enoosaen. The center requires that parents agree not to subject their enrolled daughters to female genital mutilation (FGM) or forced marriage, directly challenging harmful traditional practices.
As the world marks this significant day, the call is clear: to stand in solidarity, resist the erosion of women’s health rights, and reaffirm the commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl has access to the comprehensive healthcare she deserves.
ENDS…
By Lydiah Mokaya
The author is an experienced radio journalist and media manager.
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