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The chairperson, Kenya Network of Women Governors (KENWOG) Ruth Odinga has called on women to upgrade academically if they have to compete with men for leadership positions.

Ms Odinga said even though women constitute the biggest percentage of voters in the country, men still stand out occupying most leadership positions.

Speaking on Tuesday during the International Women’s Day held in Kisumu, Ms Odinga noted that lack of proper academic qualification is one of the major reasons why they have not made it to higher leadership positions.

“Women should go back to school and upgrade. We have the power to get all we want in this country if we get the minimum academic qualifications and stand as one so as to avoid the aspect of men choosing for us what to do,” she said.

The Kisumu deputy governor who vied for the gubernatorial position in 2013 has since declared her interest in the position again and said she will depend on women to propel her into the position.

“As women we are not lesser beings, and we do not have to wait for nominations alone because we have the power to make our voice be heard if we work together,” she said.

The event attended by other women leaders from the county saw the leaders implore women to register as voters and vote in women come 2017.

They said the struggle for gender equality is on, and that they will use all the legal means to ensure more women get top leadership positions.