KARATINA UNIVERSITY HOSTS 15TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENDER, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Karatina University, in partnership with the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, successfully hosted the 15th International Conference on Gender, Media and Communication in the 21st Century on 5th and 6th August 2025. The two-day event attracted a diverse gathering of scholars, researchers, and practitioners from Kenya and beyond, reinforcing Karatina University’s commitment to advancing gender and communication discourse in Africa.

 A section of the participants during the online sessions

The conference was officially opened by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning, Finance and Administration), Prof. Richard Kiai, who underscored the importance of research in shaping the communication landscape. In his remarks, he emphasized that platforms such as this play a critical role in generating solutions to pressing societal issues and in enhancing Karatina University’s visibility on the global academic stage.

Keynote sessions featured distinguished scholars, including Prof. Adebayo Kolawole, a globally recognized researcher and immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, who spoke on Gender, Development and Communication: Lessons from the Cassava: Adding Value for Africa Project. Ms. Queenter Mbori, Executive Director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), delivered a thematic keynote on Women and Media Representation: Why it Matters, while Prof. Kellen Kiambati of Karatina University explored issues of confidentiality, consent, and risks of inappropriate exposure in participatory research.

In addition to keynote addresses, parallel sessions highlighted diverse research topics, ranging from gender roles in politics and education to the impact of artificial intelligence on gender representation in media. Scholars presented on critical issues such as reporting sexual violence through digital tools, media narratives on the boy child, gender inclusivity in the workplace, and the intersection of culture, technology, and sustainable development.

Led by Prof. Juliet Macharia, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, the conference created a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and intellectual debate. In her remarks, she noted that the success of the conference reflected Karatina University’s strong commitment to addressing contemporary gender and communication challenges while building partnerships that strengthen research and academic collaboration.

The Keynote Speaker Prof. Kola Adebayo (left), Conference Chair Prof. Juliet Macharia (centre), and Dr. Obiorah Edogor pose for a photo during the conference

As the 15th edition concluded, participants highlighted the need to continue amplifying conversations around gender equity, media representation, and digital innovation. Karatina University reaffirmed its dedication to championing academic excellence and fostering global dialogue on issues that shape society in the 21st century.