40 Years Of Women: Monica Juma

NEWS |

Ambassador Monica Juma, (Politics, 1995) is the Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Kenya. Her international career spans public service, research and academia.

Ambassador Juma previously served as Principal Secretary in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Interior and Coordination of National Government; and Defence (2013-2018); Ambassador of Kenya to Ethiopia, Djibouti, African Union, IGAD and UNECA (2010-2013); on the United Nation Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on resourcing for the UN Security Council`s mandated Africa Union peacekeeping operations (2008-2009); developed seminal peace and security policy document for Africa (2005-2010); was Executive Director at the Africa Institute of South Africa (2005-2010) and Research Analyst with the International Peace Institute (2000-2001).

Q. Who has been the biggest influence on your political career?

A. Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi

Q. What have women contributed to Kenyan politics?

A. Women have shone a light on the inclusion agenda. Government policy and programming is now firmly focused on promoting gender equality across all sectors including in executive leadership, political participation and representation, private sector and commerce, provision of social services such as health and education and care for the vulnerable – the aged, disabled and historically disadvantaged, a majority of whom are women and the youth.

Q. What advice would you give to young women entering politics?

A. Focus on service to the people, and be bold because patriarchy is still alive and pushing against the empowerment of women.

Q. A favourite memory of Pembroke?

A. Two stand out: Listening to our choir at the college chapel, and sitting and chatting with colleagues at the quad. It was the place I took my most memorable picture after my viva voce on 20th June 2000.