Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, a founding member of the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) in Kenya, has been appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations (UN) in New York by President Mwai Kibaki.

Ojiambo commented that she was honored by the trust placed in her by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to serve as Kenya’s envoy to the United Nations. Beginning her tour of duty in July 2010, Ojiambo will work on the challenges facing women and peacekeeping as the UN reviews Security Council Resolution 1325.

Before her departure for New York, Ojiambo visited her home village near Lake Victoria and was greeted by a crowd of 600 people who gathered to hear her speak about the UN and her new appointment. During her speech, she explained her duties and talked about the work of the UN and how it impacts even a remote village of fishermen and women like her own. Ojiambo also expressed her hope that more women will be inspired to follow her path and become active in public service in order to contribute more to their communities.

Looking ahead to her four-year appointment at the UN, Ojiambo remarked that she will continue to be active in the WDN and that her endeavors at the UN will be inspired by the WDN’s mission and core values which seek to globally empower women.