Dr. Pacificah Florence Okemwa

Academic Qualifications

Refereed Journal Articles

1. AGD 800: Fundamentals of Gender and Development
2. Bulletin: Pacificah F. Okemwa , Context and Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Kenya, Reaction to CIPEV Report. Gender Roundtable, Nairobi: 2009, ISSN No. 2073-8943.
3. Booklet: Pacificah Okemwa Inspiring Stories of African Women Scientists by Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) under the NASAC IAP -Project
4. Booklet: Pacificah Okemwa & Joan Rakuomi Enhancing girls’ participation in STEM: Inspiring Stories of African Women Scientists Vol. 1. Published by Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), 2020.
5. Pacificah Okemwa, Kennedy Gitu, John Maraigua, Joy Obando, Tedson Nyongesa & Thomas Kibutu (2024) Cattle huts in Jonglei, South Sudan: a key cultural feature for Dinka pastoralists. Available @ SPARC-Knowledge https://www.sparcknowledge.org
6. Chris A. ShisanyaSusan Mwangi, Pacificah Okemwa, John Maraigua, Joy Obando & Katharine Vincent “ Women and fishing: Gender roles and livelihoods in Bor, South Sudan” Available @ SPARC-Knowledge https://www.sparc-knowledge.org
7. Ngare, G. W., Maina, L., Okemwa, P ., Miruka, O., Okong’o, G., Kimunio, I., Okoth, S. (2025). Qualitative Assessment of Transformative Change in Lives of SGBV Survivors: Evidence from the Most Significant Change Stories’ Technique. Kenyatta University Women’s Economic Empowerment (Ku-Wee) Journal , 1 (1), 182–201. Retrieved from https://journal.ku.ac.ke/index.php/KUWEE/article/view/608
8. Susan Waiyego Mwangi & Pacificah Florence Okemwa (2025), Fragility Situations and Their Implications on Economic Empowerment of Women in Bor, Jonglei; South Sudan In International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science IX(IV):349-361 DOI: 47772/IJRISS.2025.90400028
9. Grace Wamue-ngare, Pacificah Okemwa , Isaac Kimunio, Okumba Miruka, Grace Okong'o, Pauline Kamau, Lucy Maina, Jane Njuguna, Lilian Kiruja & Simon Okoth (2025) Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya, In Social Sciences & Humanities Open , Volume 11, 2025, 101339, ISSN 2590-2911, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101339.
10. Pacificah Okemwa, Susan Mwangi, Joy Apiyo Obando () (2024), Centrality of Formal Education in Women Empowerment in Bor, South Sudan In International Journal of Formal Education. Volume: 3 Issue: 10 | Oct–2024 ISSN: 2720-6874
11. Josephine Nyambura Thua, Pacificah Okemwa, Regina Mwatha & Francis Malenya (2024). The role of gender-based factors on the levels of student participation in eLearning in select universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya. In Eastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 3 No. 2 (2024): ISSN (Online): 2958-4558
12. Simon Okumba Miruka, Grace Wamue-Ngare & Pacificah Okemwa (2024), Women’s Experiences of Male-Dominant Behaviorsin Kenya’s National Assembly 2013-2017. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO 2958-7999, Vol. 4(2)
13. Mwangi, L. N., Okemwa, P., & Mwangi, S. W. (2024). Student Perspectives on Internal and External Factors Influencing Vulnerability to Risk-Taking Behaviour among Girls in Public Day Secondary Schools in Kiambaa, Kiambu County, Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research , 5 (1), 157–172. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.1.17
14. Grace WamueNgare, Pacificah Okemwa , Isaac Kimunio, Okumba Miruka, Grace Okong’o, Pauline Kamau, Lucy Maina, Jane Njuguna, Lilian Kiruja, Simon Okoth. (2023), “Estimating the economic impact of gender-based violence on women survivors: A comparative study of support program interventions in Makueni and Naivasha, Kenya”. In Elsevier Espana , S.L.U. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2023.102840
15. Grace Wamue- Ngare, Pacificah Okemwa, Okumba Miruka, Lucy Maina, Grace Okong’o, Isaac Kimunio, Pauline Kamau, Jane Njuguna, Lilian Kiruja & Simon Okoth (2023) Effectiveness of State and Non - State Actors’ Initiatives in Addressing the Economic Empowerment Needs of Women Survivors of Gender - Based Violence Kenyatta University Women’s Economic Empowerment (KU-WEE) Journal Vol.1
16. Jackline C. Bii, Pacificah F. Okemwa & Zacharia W. Samita (2023) Determinants of Men’s Level of Participation in Family Planning in Bomet County, Kenya. International Journal of Arts and Social Science ijassjournal.com ISSN: 2581-7922, Volume 6 Issue 11 , November 2023
17. Jackline C. Bii, Pacificah F. Okemwa & Zacharia W. Samita (2023) Socio-cultural Factors That Influence Men’s Participation in Family Planning in Bomet County, Kenya. The International Journal of Humanities &Social Studies Volume 11, Issue 8, August 2023
18. Monica Ofosu-Koranteng, Regina Mwatha, Pacificah Okemwa (2022). Addressing the Practical Gender Needs of Refugee Women for their Economic Empowerment: Perspectives from the Ampain and Egyeikrom Camps in Ghana. In International Journal of Business Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 1, 2022, PP 66-82, ISSN 2707-8027 66
19. Monica Ofosu-Koranteng, Pacificah Okemwa , Regina Mwatha (2022). Economic Empowerment of Refugee Women in Ghana and its Influence on Household Decision Making. In International Journal of Current Aspects , Volume 6, Issue 1, 2022, PP 73- 83,ISSN 2707-8035 73
20. Richard Otieno Nyamagwa and Dr. Pacificah Okemwa , Dr. Leah Wanjama (2022) Impacts of Financial Literacy on Economic Empowerment of Small Scale Women Traders in Kisii County, Kenya. In International Journal of Advanced Research & Review IJARR,7 (2) 2022; 05-19 https://www.ijarr.in/Admin/pdf/impacts-of-financial-literacy-on-economic-empowerment-of-small-scale-women-traders-in-kisii-county-kenya.pdf
21. Simon Okumba Miruka, Grace Wamue-Ngare & Pacificah Okemwa (2021) Passage of family laws in Kenya’s national assembly (11 th parliament - 2013 to 2017): the impact of women legislators. In Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law. https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2021.1953858
22. Simon Okumba Miruka, Grace Wamue-Ngare & Pacificah Okemwa (2021) Elusive Quest by Women for Legislative Numbers in Kenya’s National Assembly of the 11 th parliament (2013 -2017) In International Journal of Gender Studies, 6 (2), 22-41 https://www.iprjb.org/journals/index.php/IJGS/article/view/1279/1387
23. Miruka, S. O., Ngare, G. W., & Okemwa, P. (2021). Methods Used by Women Parliamentarians to Influence Legislative Processes and Outcomes in Kenya’s National Assembly of the 11th Parliament (2013 -2017). In International Journal of Gender Studies , 6 (1), 1 – 21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47604/ijgs.1215
24. Mutuma S.N, Wamue- Ngare G. & Okemwa P . (2020), Gender-Related Factors that Influence Women and Men’s Participation in Small-Scale Greenhouse Farming in The Peri-Urban Area of Ongata Rongai, Kenya. In The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies Issn 2321 - 9203
25. Kithuka E. M, Okemwa P . & Wanjama L. (2020) Effects of International Non-Governmental Organizations’ Development Programmes on the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women in Makueni County, Kenya. http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss.html
26. Kithuka E. M., Okemwa P. & Wanjama L. (2020) Challenges Facing Contribution of International Non-Governmental Organizations Development Programmes On the Socio- Economic Empowerment of Women In Makueni County, Kenya. In Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 25, Issue 9, Series 6 (September. 2020) 56-66 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845 https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol.25-Issue9/Series-6/G2509065666.pdf
27. Felogene Gor Anumo & Pacificah Florence Okemwa (2019), The Influence of Gender Quotas on Women’s Participation in Legislative Processes in the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament of Kenya (2013 -2017 ) In International Journal of Current Aspects , Volume 3, Issue II, 2019, PP 260-279, ISSN 2616-6976 260 www.ijcab.org
28. Elizabeth Ketty Wamera, Pacificah Okemwa , Mildred Lodiaga (2018). Assessing how policy and key implementers influenced gender outcomes of the community led total sanitation approach in selected counties in western Kenya. In International Journal of Development & Sustainability (IJDS) Vol. 7, No. 12 pp 2893- 2908 ISSN: 2186-8662. Available at www.isdsnet.com/ijds
29. Sarah Fedha Barasa (Ph.D.), Prof. Elishiba Njambi Kimani (Ph.D.) & Pacificah Okemwa (Ph.D.) 2018. Factors Influencing Men’s Involvement in the Prevention of Violence against Women in Nairobi City County, Kenya. In International Journal of Gender and Women’s Studies December 2018, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 64-76 ISSN: 2333-6021
30. Erastus, S., N., Okemwa, P ., Okong’o, G. (2018) Effects of Domestic Violence on Employee Productivity in Water Service Provision Companies in Nakuru County, Kenya. International Journal of Arts and Entrepreneurship . Vol. 7 (5) pp 1 - 20.
31. Tabitha Wawira Mwaniki, Grace Wamue-Ngare, Pacificah Okemwa (2018) Influence of Microfinance Training Content on Women’s Acquisition of Financial Skills: A Case of Women’s Self-Help Groups in Kiambu County, Kenya. In International Journal for Innovation Education and Research. Vol.6 No-4, 2018
32. Tabitha Wawira Mwaniki, Grace Wamue-Ngare, Pacificah Okemwa (2018) Influence of Microfinance Trainers’ Characteristics on Women’s Acquisition of Financial Skills A Case of Women’s Self-Help Groups in Kiambu County, Kenya. In International Journal for Innovation Education and Research. Vol.6 No-4, 2018
33. Chelangat J., Lodiaga, M.J & Okemwa P.F . (2017). Determinants of Maternal Health among the Kalenjin women of Ainamoi Constituency, Kericho County, Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge Volume-2 Issue-9, September-2017
34. Mwose, Rebecca Nyambura; Okong’o, Grace Mose; Okemwa, Pacificah . (2017). Socio-Cultural Factors that Influence Masters Student’s Choice to Study Gender and Development Studies at the Master’s Level in Nairobi County. In International Journal of Gender Studies , [S.l.], vol. 1, No. 1, pp 5 - 30, August. 2017.
35. Mwose, Rebecca Nyambura; Okong’o, Grace Mose; Okemwa, Pacificah . (2017). Effects of Student’s Perceptions on Master’s Choice of Gender and Development Studies at the Master’s Level in Nairobi County. In African Journal of Education and Practice ISSN 2519-0296X (Online) Vol.2, Issue 1 No.5, pp 80 - 104, 2017
36. Mwose, Rebecca Nyambura; Okong’o, Dr. Grace Mose; Okemwa, Pacificah . (2017). Constraints Masters’ Students Face as they Make their Choice to Study Gender and Development Studies at the Master’s Level. In Nairobi County. In International Journal of Gender Studies , [S.L.], Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 31 - 55, August. 2017
37. Malelu M.M, Ngare G.W & Okemwa P . (2017), Institutional Factors Influencing Career Advancement of Women Faculty: A Case of Kenyatta University, Kenya. In International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities | Volume 1, Issue 1, pp. 251-266 International Academic Journal available @ www.iajournals.org | Open Access | Peer Review | Online Journal Publishers
38. Pacificah F. Okemwa “Multilingualism in the Teaching of Gender Studies” In Msingi Journal 1, Number 1, 2014 pgs 378-401

Book Chapters

1. Sitawa R. Kimuna & Pacificah F. Okemwa (upcoming) Prevalence Studies and Consequences of Gender-Based Violence on Families in Africa . In The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Africa: A Reader, edited by R. Sooryamoorthy &Ernest Khalema. New York, 2022: Oxford University Press
2. Pacificah Okemwa & Evelyne Wanjiku (2019) “The Sanitization of VAW on Social Media in the Kenyan Context”. In Grace Wamue- Ngare & Pauline Wangare Kamau (Eds) Familiar Tears. Mauritius: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing
3. Pacificah F. Okemwa , Maid in Nairobi in the Age of HIV/AIDS: The plight of Domestic Workers Facing AIDS in Africa- Cases from Kenya. In Women, Religion and HIV/AIDS in Africa: Responding to Ethical and Theological Challenges, edited by Hinga T.M, Kubai A.N. & Mwaura P.N. Cluster, Pieter Maritzburg 2008, ISBN No. 1875053697.
4. Pacificah F. Okemwa , Impact of Adventist Schooling on the Status of Women in Kenya. In Quests for Integrity in Africa, edited by Wamue G.N & Theuri M. Acton Publishers, Nairobi 2003, ISBN No. 9966-888-28-4.
5. Pacificah F. Okemwa , Conflicts Women Faced in the 1997 General Elections in Kenya. In Conflicts in Africa, edited by Getui M.N & Ayanga H. Faith Counseling Institute, Nairobi 2002, ISBN No.9966-9888-4-X.
6. Pacificah F. Okemwa , Infidelity in Marriage. In Quests for Abundant Life in Africa, edited by Getui M.N. & Theuri M.Acton Publishers, Nairobi 2002, ISBN No. 9966-888-39-X.
7. Pacificah F. Okemwa , Women in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In Theology of Reconstruction: Exploratory Essays, edited by Getui M.N. & Obeng R. Acton Publishers, Nairobi,----- ISBN No. 9966-888-01-2
8. Pacificah F. Okemwa , The Effects of Clitoridectomy on the Social Well-being of Women in the Gusii Society. In Groaning in Faith: African Women in the Household of God, (eds) Musimbi R.A. Kanyoro & Njoroge J.N. Acton Publishers, Nairobi, 1996 ISBN

Conference Papers

1. Pacifica Okemwa and Daniel Muia (2012), Sexual Harassment in the Work Place: Its Nature, Impact and Mitigation . Paper to be presented during the International Conference on Gender Based Violence, on 1 st – 3 rd August 2012 at Kenyatta University Amphitheatre, Nairobi Kenya
2. Pacificah Okemwa “The difference women make to development when they do science”.
3. Pacificah Okemwa “Rationale for Incorporating Gender- Based Violence in Disability Mainstreaming in Kenya”
4. Stakeholder’s Inception Meeting Safety and Transferable Skills Resource Hub (STaSH) Kenyatta University. Title of presentation: Sexual Gender Based Violence and Transferable Skills for Employment in Kenya. August, 2025
5. Annual LANDac Land Governance Conference : Panel member of the session, “ Learning from SPARC research on gender and youth issues in farmer-herder conflicts and pastoral land governance ” Utrecht, Netherlands; July 2025
6. Was a member of the KU-WEE Hub team that presented; Report on the Prevalence of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide in Kenya to the Presidential Technical Working Group in May, 2025 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)
7. Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization (FUDECO) & Centre for Population and Environmental Development (CPED) research findings dissemination of SPARC –IDRC funded projects in Africa workshop in Abuja, Nigeria. Title of paper presented: “Gender Differentiated Effects & Manifestations on Women’s Marginalization in Building Climate Resilience in Bor South Sudan ” April, 2025 Abuja, Nigeria
8. High level dissemination Workshop for the project “Building gender responsive climate resilient communities in South Sudan” February 2025; Juba Regency Hotel
9. Presentation of study findings at a Community Workshop Based on KU- SPARC project on “Building Gender Responsive Climate Resilient Communities among the Dinka of Jonglei State, South Sudan. Title of paper presented: “ Effecting meaningful change to enhance livelihoods in fragile ecosystems” written by Pacificah Okemwa & Susan W. Mwangi; Bor Town, May, 2024
10. SPARC Annual Learning Forum 2024; Title of paper presented: Pathways to Gender Transformation among the Dinka in Jonglei State South Sudan: A Proposed Framework by Joy Obando and Pacificah Okemwa. January 2024; Naivasha, Kenya
11. SPARC-IDRC Inception Workshop; ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute) Campus in Nairobi – Kenya, June 21-23, 2022
12. WorkshopTraining Workshop on management of Sexual & Gender Based Violence against women and girls for Samburu County Health Workers at Cheers Guest House, Maralal.
13. Role: Trainer ( on Social and Cultural determinants of S & GBV against women and girls and mitigation Strategies). Workshop was organized by Kenyatta University, School of Medicine in Collaboration with Amref Health Africa in Kenya. 30 th April-3 rd May 2019
14. Training Workshop on management of Sexual & Gender Based Violence against women and girls for Turkana Healthcare workers at Diocese of Lodwar Guest House, Lodwar..
15. Role: Trainer ( on Social and Cultural determinants of S & GBV against women and girls and mitigation Strategies). Turkana County Health Workers Workshop was organized by Kenyatta University, School of Medicine in Collaboration with Amref Health Africa in Kenya.11 th March- 14 th March 2019
16. Attended Conference on Women and Sustainable Development in Africa. Presented a paper titled “The difference women make to development when they do science”. Venue: Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre. 8 th -10 th March 2018
17. Attended a training on Being a Leader and the Effective Exercise of Leadership: An Ontological / Phenomenological Model. Organized by Department of Gender & Development Studies, Kenyatta. Venue: Kenyatta University Conference Centre. 19 th -24 th February 2018
18. As a member of the host department, we organized and held a one Day symposium titled” Weaving Just Peace: African Women’s Transformative Leadership in Contexts of Transition. 15 th August 2016, Kenyatta University Conference Centre
19. Attended a Communication Event for the Climate Change Booklet. Presented a Paper Titled “Why it is Important to Employ a Gender Perspective in Climate Change Communication and Decision Making in Africa” Venue: Hennesy Park Hotel, Ebene Cybercity, Mauritius, 4-5 July 2016.
20. Was part of a team that participated in a validation workshop of “The Kenya National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. Venue Sentrim Elementaita Lodge, Naivasha, 16- 17 September 2014
21. Successfully presented a project proposal on “Turning domestic work into a dignified enterprise to the European Development Days. Brussels, 26-27 November 2013.
22. Participated in the development of a Documentary titled; The Invisible Worker. The plight of child domestic workers as well as both male and female adults in domestic work in five Eastern African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and DRC) is presented. June 2013
23. Attended a workshop on Black Feminist Theory and the Study of Black Men and Boys, Mason Inn Conference Centre, Fairfax, Virginia USA 14-16 September 2012.
24. Attended a workshop on Disability Mainstreaming in Development Cooperation: Theme; Safeguarding the Gains “Lessons in Mainstreaming Disability and Accessibility in Organizational Development Agenda”. Safari Park Hotel, 30-31 August 2012.
25. Attended an International Conference on Gender Based Violence (GBV). Theme: Creating Safe Spaces: A Multi- Disciplinary Approach to GBV. Kenyatta University Amphitheatre 1-3 rd August 2012.
26. Attended a workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in Development: Theme; Gender Mainstreaming Strategies: Rationale, Concepts and Approaches. Safari Park Hotel 26-27 th April 2012.
27. Applying Gender Lens to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Communication” Mauritius Cyber City , 4 th July 2016
28. Kenya Military Academy’s Response to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 Serena Beach Hotel, Mombasa
29. Rationale for Incorporating Gender- Based Violence in Disability Mainstreaming in Kenya. Safari Park Hotel, 30 th August 2012.
30. Sexual Harassment in the Work Place: Its Nature, Impact and Mitigation, a paper presented at an International Conference on Gender- Based Violence held on 1 st -3 rd August, 2012 at Kenyatta University Amphitheatre, Nairobi
31. Policy Development, Dissemination and Implementation in Addressing Gender Based Violence and Sexual Harassment in the Work Place: Best Practices across Organizations in Kenya, a paper presented at a Gender Mainstreaming in Development Workshop held on 26-27 April 2012 at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

Awards & Honours

• Lecturer of the year Award. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University (2002)

Professional Affiliations

• Member of Higher Education Taskforce (Access and Inclusion Working Group) Association of Commonwealth Universities
• Network of African Science Academies (NASAC). Position Held: Secretary, Women for Science Working Group ((WfSWG)
• Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT)
• Circle of concerned African women theologians (The Circle)