Women, we can still get the 50 seats and for more

There seems to be sigh of relief in the political climate. Phew! They almost got us to sign on the dotted line.

Affirmative Action has been the cat and mouse game politicians play with female voters and potentials since time immemorial as women unleash the distress card and wait for yet another bashing.  We all agree that our female nominated MPs have exuded exemplary performance in the tenure as nominated Members of Parliament. So what’s the big deal every time we want women representation entrenched in law?

I am making a promise to myself this year. I will elect a good female in my constituency this year. I am saying yes to Affirmative Action in my own personal way, after all that’s possibly the only place where my vote counts.

Trust me when I say that there are many strong formidable female aspirants who have declared their candidature. Just take a look at the section on parliamentary and civic candidates on the Gender & Governance website. These women are not in hiding, all you need to do is believe that women can and will bring the difference that we are looking for in Kenya.

Personally, am not waiting until 2012 to dance around parliament and plead with my MP once again to say yes to women. I will elect an MP who has the interests of women at heart right from the beginning. Why? My vote is my weapon! Join me and let’s use it! Enough with the constant complaining, lobbying and pleading for our rights!

Enough said! Let’s load on the strategy…

Financial Backing

At the risk of sounding ambiguous, women’s greatest obstacle in politics is resources. I have sampled some of the resource mobilization machinery put in place. It’s no million shilling diner but there is effort on the side of aspirants to mobilize resources. Bumper stickers, carry bags, support cards which are priced from just ten bob. Buy them! Online donations right from your computer, you can support them wherever you are!  This time, let’s put our money where our mouth is and get the 50 seats we want. We have taken the liberty to showcase these merchandise and any other fundraising tools that female aspirants have created. You can find all the materials on our website.

Moral support

Go for their rallies and meetings and show them your support. We never see our prominent politicians addressing rallies alone. They support one another, speak well of one another’s leadership qualities and forward thinking tendencies even when we know it may not be true. Food for thought… if I say am a good leader you may not believe me but when someone you perceive to be a good leader speaks well of me, you are bound to listen. 

Vote for good women

I am not asking that you dish out your vote like confetti at a wedding but surely can we fail to round up 50 women who we feel will make good leaders and vote for them?  I don’t think so. Vote for women who will represent your interests and those of your children.

As a fast step, I invite you to join me in drumming me support for strong formidable female aspirants. We have opened our aspirant notice board. Use this notice board to post messages about female candidates you know to be good leaders and how you believe they will bring a difference to Kenya.

You have the power to bring 50 seats for women in the 10th parliament. Harness it!