What Women Want Summit 4.0 Ends with Renewed Push for Women’s Leadership and Gender Equality
Maureen Osoro, Marketing Manager – Spirits at EABL, presenting gifts to panelists and keynote speakers during the summit. From right to left: Janet Mbugua, media personality; Fatuma Achani, Kwale Governor; Mercy Mwangi, Executive Director, KEWOPA; and on the extreme left, Pinky Ghelani, founder of What Women Want.
NAIROBI, April 14, 2026 — The fourth edition of the What Women Want Summit 4.0 has concluded with renewed calls for stronger action to advance women’s leadership, empowerment, and inclusive growth across East Africa.
Held over three days and ending March 29, the summit brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and thought leaders for high-level discussions under the theme “Bold, Visionary, Capable, and Unstoppable.” The gathering reinforced its growing influence as a key regional platform shaping conversations on women’s progress.
Organised by PinkE Media in partnership with the #SheWalks platform by Johnnie Walker, the summit focused on equipping women with practical tools, networks, and confidence to navigate leadership spaces, scale businesses in a digital economy, and drive inclusive development.
Speaking during the opening day, summit founder Pinky Ghelani underscored the importance of critical engagement in leadership spaces.
“Not every message that sounds good is good for you… spaces like this matter, as we question and challenge ideas rather than just consume them,” she said.
The summit officially opened with a gala dinner presided over by Martha Koome, setting the tone for two days of dialogue centred on empowerment and transformation.
In her closing remarks, Fatuma Achani called for full implementation of the constitutional two-thirds gender rule, emphasizing its importance in accelerating women’s participation in leadership and governance.
Corporate backing also featured prominently, with East African Breweries Limited supporting the initiative through the #SheWalks platform. Marketing Manager Maureen Osoro noted that creating spaces for women to connect and grow is central to the company’s commitment to gender inclusion.
On the final day, Yvonne Mwangi emphasized that leadership should focus on opening doors and creating opportunities for others, stressing that progress is built through collective action and integrity.
Ghelani highlighted the summit’s continued evolution, noting that organisers are committed to expanding both the scale and impact of future editions, including plans for a more robust fifth summit.
This year’s event recorded increased participation and deeper engagement across panels, blending thought leadership with lifestyle experiences to foster both personal and professional growth. Organisers say the summit continues to play a transformative role in advancing gender equality by turning dialogue into action across the region.
