The role of men in advancing women’s political rights

Mr. Kariri Mucheke, Social worker, Solidarity Goodwill Services, Embu

I think putting women in leadership positions will contribute towards the development of the nation. Firstly, you see when women are empowered to generate their own income, this will help to ensure that there’s food on table and that is a very important thing to a nation. But you see also, we men normally don’t put so much consideration into it.

Whenever children are sent away from school, women are at forefront to make sure that their (children’s) fees are paid, and that is a good thing too. Women help in the growth of the economy, for example where I come from, women work very hard, they till land and graze cattle. I believe they should be helped to ascend to high political positions. I believe we should support them, after all they are our wives, daughters and sisters.

Women are also not known to waste resources like men who use their money on very flimsy purposes like drinking, leisure and outright opulence. Women use their resources so well.

I also believe in Affirmative Action. This will increase women’s voices and participation in development and decision making on matters affecting their lives and the lives of their family members.

I wish to challenge women to support each other to claim stake in government and go further and run for the position of presidency. In the meantime I see little commitment on their part to contest this seat.