International Women’s Day: Celebrating Achievements and Inspiring Change

Strath Hits Radio took an interesting and engaging approach to celebrate International Women’s

Day and celebrate the achievements and resilience of women who have been and are part of the Strathmore Community. The activities were an interactive approach to involve the community in celebrating its women.

 A Brief History of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than just a day on the calendar; it is a moment to recognize and celebrate the strength, achievements, and resilience of women across the globe.

The origins of International Women’s Day date back to the early 1900s when women across the globe began advocating for better working conditions, voting rights, and gender equality. In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, proposed the idea of an international day dedicated to women’s rights during the International Socialist Women’s Congress. The idea was embraced, and on March 19, 1911, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. This culminated in the first celebration of International Women’s Day in 1911. Now, over a century later, March 8^th is a worldwide day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of prominent women in society and for advocating for gender equality.

Strath Hits Radio’s commemoration of International Women’s Day

Strath Hits Radio took an innovative and engaging approach to celebrating International Women’s Day, curating activities that honored influential women and encouraged community participation. This year, the station initiated two special events:

An Interactive Spotify playlist

Strath Hits Radio launched an interactive Spotify playlist, inviting listeners to contribute songs that uplift, inspire, and empower women. This initiative allowed the Strathmore community to celebrate the essence of International Women’s Day through music, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for female empowerment.

Women’s Day Special Feature

Strath Hits Radio aired a special feature, hourly, highlighting distinguished female alumni of Strathmore University, showcasing their achievements and contributions to various industries.

Hosted by Bayaan Ali and Lemi Tereka, the show delved into the inspiring journeys of Joanna Kinuthia, Ciku Mugambi, and Hilda Moraa.

Joanna Kinuthia

Joanna Kinuthia, a Kenyan content creator and entrepreneur, has made remarkable strides in the beauty and lifestyle industry. After graduating from Strathmore University in June 2017, she explored various career opportunities before realizing her passion for content creation. At just 23 years old, she made a bold decision to resign from her corporate job to pursue content creation full-time. Within a year, her dedication paid off as she earned over KSh 1 million from her YouTube channel.

Recognizing a gap in the local beauty market, Joanna launched her own cosmetics brand, Joanna K Cosmetics. Her brand aims to empower and inspire her audience by promoting confidence and self-expression. Today, she continues to be a leading voice in Kenya’s beauty industry, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and content creators.

Ciku Mugambi

Ciku Mugambi, an accomplished investment analyst, pursued a master’s in business administration at Strathmore Business School. She currently works at the International Finance Corporation, where she specializes in identifying and capitalizing on emerging technological trends in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Recognized in the Finance category of Business Daily’s. Top 40 Under 40 Women, Ciku has significantly impacted the African finance and investment sector. She is also a founding member of Kobo360 Inc., a leading digital logistics technology startup that enhances supply chain efficiency across the continent. Her career reflects a strong commitment to fostering financial and technological advancements in Africa.

 Hilda Moraa

Hilda Moraa’s journey from a Strathmore University student to a celebrated fintech entrepreneur is nothing short of extraordinary. As a Bachelor of Business Information Technology graduate, she transformed her fourth-year project into a fintech startup named WezaTele, which she later sold for KSh 166 million ($1.7 million) in 2015.

Currently, she is the founder and CEO of Pezesha, a digital financial infrastructure that provides affordable working capital to SMEs and institutions in Africa. Hilda’s impact extends beyond her business ventures—she is an Obama Foundation fellow, a mentor for startups, and an advocate for financial inclusion. She was featured in Quartz Africa’s Top 30 Innovators and Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Women. In March 2024, she won the Tech & Innovation Award by Forbes Woman Africa, solidifying her status as a leader in the fintech industry.

 International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the challenges ahead, and celebrate the women who continue to break barriers. Through initiatives like Strath Hits Radio’s interactive playlist and special alumni feature, the Strathmore University community embraced the spirit of International Women’s Day, highlighting the power of music, storytelling, and recognition in uplifting women. As we honor these remarkable individuals, we are reminded of the importance of empowering the next generation of female leaders and innovators. Together, let us continue to celebrate the women in our lives today and everyday.

Written by Krysia Njoroge, with contributions from Adam Chege & Denzel Damba