The global rise of esports is undeniable, yet the representation of women in gaming remains an area ripe for improvement. Nonetheless, there’s a heartening trend of young women making significant strides in the African gaming scene.
Kenya stands out as a beacon of progress in this regard, with a concerted effort to elevate women in esports beyond token acknowledgment. This commitment was underscored by the recent launch of the Women in Esports Chapter on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey towards gender diversity and empowerment in esports.
Anne Omondi, Vice President of the Esports Kenya Federation, emphasized this commitment in her closing remarks at the launch, signalling a collective determination to create an environment where women can thrive in competitive gaming.
Shirley Adema, known as Dark Willow in the gaming world, epitomises the impact of the progressive initiatives of the Esports Kenya Federation. As captain of Kenya’s Dota 2 Women’s Team, Dark Willow led her team to success at the Global Esports Games last year.
Reflecting on her journey, Dark Willow shared the challenges she faced as a woman in gaming:
“I got into gaming when I was young. I used to play with my brothers but then it was just casually for fun, since I was playing with my brothers it was not an issue but growing up I had to seclude myself more because I was a lady in the men’s squad.”
Shirley “Dark Willow” Adema, Captain of Kenya’s Dota 2 Women’s Team
“The journey has not been easy even my mum didn’t believe the first time I went to play internationally she has now started becoming supportive. She used to fight with my brother when we were young because of video games.”
However, she remains optimistic about the future, especially with the growing interest in esports among young girls in Kenyan schools: “Young girls are showing interest of late because we have seen schools like Nova Pioneer and Alliance Girls High School want to start Esports in their schools showing positive progress in the growth of women in esports, I believe they have seen our achievements so far and they are motivated to start.”
The launch event featured a panel discussion led by Caren Kibet, where Dark Willow and other panelists shared their experiences, addressing challenges and proposing solutions. One key issue discussed was the need for increased media coverage of women in esports to dispel misconceptions and raise awareness.
Dark Willow also addressed the misconceptions of being a gamer and assessed the media coverage of women in esports: “The biggest misconception is that Esports is just gaming and a waste of time getting glued to a screen. There is no energy being used(like running, or jumping) hence it is not even a sport.
“The Media Coverage is still a bit low but it is improving. Generally, sports are given a small segment in the news sector, but now we are given at least a space for writing articles. We should just tell our stories more and raise awareness to the public through Social Media, Interactive forums, and online platforms.”
Safety within the esports community was also a focal point of discussion, with a panel highlighting the importance of safe gaming practices and community support.
Dark Willow, in her role as captain, emphasized the significance of consistent communication and team bonding in navigating challenges and staying motivated.
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