School Leadership and Promotion of Gender Support Practices in Public Schools in Kenya

##article.abstract##

This study examines the role of school leadership in promoting gender support practices in public secondary schools in Kenya, guided by Transformational Leadership Theory and the Gender and Development Framework. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyzes secondary data and literature to assess the availability of gender support services, leadership involvement, challenges faced in implementation, strategic interventions, and the influence of leadership on gender equity outcomes. The findings reveal that while gender support services such as mentorship programs, inclusive infrastructure, gender-sensitive pedagogy, and safeguarding mechanisms are being increasingly adopted, their effectiveness is closely linked to the commitment and capacity of school leaders. Gender-responsive leadership emerges as a critical factor in fostering inclusive school cultures, enforcing policies, and improving learning outcomes, particularly for girls. However, systemic challenges such as limited funding, inadequate training, weak monitoring, and entrenched socio-cultural norms undermine these efforts. The study highlights the strategies employed by school leaders, including transformational leadership practices like challenging cultural norms, fostering community dialogue, engaging local stakeholders, and establishing peer support structures, gender clubs, and mentorship programs to create a safe and equitable environment for girls. Schools with effective leadership reported better retention rates and academic performance among girls, alongside stronger adherence to national gender equity policies. The study concludes that equipping school leaders with gender-sensitive competencies is crucial for sustainable progress, recommending enhanced leadership training, integration of gender indicators into school assessments, and stronger policy enforcement through collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI).