The People Dialogue Festival (PDF) 6th edition.6th to 9th March 2024 at the University of Nairobi

The People Dialogue Festival (PDF) is a flagship dialogue initiative  aimed at shaping the discourse around critical issues by bringing together leaders and people to engage in meaningful conversations about pressing challenges and opportunities facing the broader society in Kenya. The inaugural PDF was successfully convened in March 2019 and subsequent editions in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. For the 6th edition, the people’s dialogue forum took place from 6th to 9th March 2024. The overall objective was to provide a platform for political parties and other actors (both state and non-state) to be in dialogue on governance reforms and socioeconomic issues and safeguard democratic gains. Specific objectives include: advocating for issue-based politics and commitment to fulfill treaty obligations and global commitments including sustainable development goals, to deepen meaningful inclusion and participation of citizens in their diversities to engage in dialogue on issues of national interest among others.

FIDA Kenya has been pushing for women’s political participation in the democratic process and their inclusion in leadership, guided by the principle ‘’Leave No One Behind”. While there has been progress in this area, challenges persist that hinder women’s participation and inclusion. Some of these challenges include systemic and structural barriers which include cultural and gender norms, gender-based violence/ electoral gender-based violence, and the limited implementation of laws and policies on women’s political participation and inclusion for instance the 2/3 gender principle.

FIDA Kenya  leveraged on  the opportunity presented by the People’s Dialogue Platform to facilitate dialogue around sustainable development goals, with a particular emphasis on democratic reforms and the imperative of enhancing women’s political participation and inclusion. The 3-day informative  event was held at the University of Nairobi grounds.