One of East Africa’s most outstanding businesswomen, Gina Din, has been appointed by UNFPA Kenya as its new honorary ambassador. Ms. Din will support UNFPA’s efforts to empower women and adolescent girls, with a focus on advancing their health and rights.
The new ambassador is a mother, mentor, respected businesswoman and philanthropist, as well as the founder and chairperson of the Gina Din Group. She was voted among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine in 2013 and 2015, and named East Africa’s most outstanding businesswoman for 2015 by CNBC.
The Gina Din Foundation empowers youth and women with great potential by linking them to high achievers and providing them with critical resources.
“I am excited to be part of a team that is already doing such great work," said Ms. Din. "I feel deeply honoured to have this opportunity to advocate for gender equality and women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. It's time that the full and equal participation of women in our social, political and economic world is the norm, not the exception.”
A flying start
Just hours after the announcement of her new role for UNFPA on 22 March, Ms. Din joined the UNFPA Kenya team during Deloitte’s launch of the key findings from its assessment of UNFPA Kenya’s advocacy efforts to improve maternal health. During the event, Ms. Din took time to address the Government of Kenya and the audience in New York to express her commitment to UNFPA and the government’s efforts to help pregnant women and children enjoy a better future.
Ms. Din brings substantial experience in the private sector and a unique network with both private sector actors and decision makers. UNFPA Kenya has a deep-rooted ambition to bring together all relevant partners to help improve maternal health and with her profile, Ms. Din will be a strong contributor.
“Given Gina’s strong commitment to the plight of women and young people in Kenya, who are denied basic rights and opportunities that we take for granted, I know that she will be a compelling and eloquent advocate in focusing attention on these and related issues,” said UNFPA Kenya Representative Siddharth Chatterjee. “I am also confident that her prestige, talent and presence will help UNFPA send a powerful message to the hearts and minds of people in Kenya.”
By Ilija Weber
