Women will make their point at this year’s ballot

Published on November 7, 2007

ByNdung’u Wainaina

Regarded as the crucible of human rights activism, South America is yet again proving revolutionary.

Women are taking over top political leadership across the continent. First to win presidential elections was Ms Michelle Bachelet of Chile, a single mother and self-declared socialist. Now Mrs Cristina Kirshner, a senator and First Lady, has won elections in Argentina.

This should be a great inspiration to Kenyan women horrified by attacks on women candidates and disruption of rallies as we edge closer to the General Election. The challenge of democratisation while violence continues is particularly relevant to Kenyan women.

Women, in partnership with their supporters, have been working and engaging in series of activities to address the issues of voice and citizenship; representation and women representatives; and women’s capacity to engage in decision-making roles in the electoral and political process. They have organised strategy and capacity-building events to plan for campaigns and discuss the challenges women face at all stages of Kenya’s political development and transition to democracy.

The upcoming elections are part of a much longer process toward democratisation and holistic empowerment. Most of the registered voters who come out and vote during December 27 elections, will chose either an individual, party or coalition of candidates to represent them in the 222 seat National Assembly. Unfortunately, the first-past-the-post electoral system is very limiting, disenfranchising and disadvantaging women.

An electoral system based on proportional representation, I believe, would be more favourable to women candidates. That should not, however, discourage participation, but rather offer a challenge and opportunity for women to make a remarkable statement in the forthcoming General Election. They have to come out in large numbers and vote for progressive leadership.

Women must not shy away from mercilessly interrogating presidential, parliamentary and civic candidates on their gender-related policy issues.

Because the constitution and electoral laws do not set aside specific political and civil service positions for women, it is significant for them to vote wisely and consolidate their numbers in order to influence appointments and policymaking.

This is tall order under circumstances marked with intense violence, security difficulties, voting apathy and little time remaining to educate voters and undertake a vigorous election campaign. Nevertheless, they have zeal and steel determination to overcome these challenges.

Although women are adamant about participating in the upcoming elections, everything they do is coloured by the problem of security at both macro and micro levels. Women do not feel secure in their homes, on the streets or at campaign platforms. They have expressed serious concerns about the current wave of violence against women candidates.

In the absence of strong legal protection for women, it is incumbent upon the police and Electoral Commission to drop their lacklustre approach in arresting and punishing perpetrators of violence and take tough action.

Despite this sense of insecurity, women continue to fulfil their civic duties. The sheer number of women’s organisations, civil society bodies and non-governmental organisations run by women attest to this commitment. In addition, the large number of women running in the upcoming parliamentary and civic races is very encouraging.

However, a substantial number of women have voiced concerns about other factors that hinder their experience in packaging election messages, organising electoral campaigns, building coalitions and alliances, reaching out to the relevant constituencies, and building grassroots support among voters. Few women have sharpened their skills on how to make use of the press, radio and television to gain visibility and stand out from their rivals. The media, on the other hand, appears biased against women.

A very important issue for women is persuading voters that women representatives will be as capable, if not more capable, than men. A great deal of energy should focus on how to encourage women to come out, vote and, if possible, vote for female candidates. Women ought to develop a unified election programme and coin a common slogan to rally support for this cause. The upcoming elections have to be brimming with women for change.

Political violence should not deter women from seizing the opportunity to become involved in opening up the political and civic space. Despite the security challenge, women are building their confidence levels. Previously they did not participate in politics aggressively. Now, both women and men are learning that women are capable of holding office and should be included in political platforms.

Limited resources and opaqueness of political parties remains an obstacle in accelerating women participation in political processes. Women understand that this is a critical time. While they are keen to be part of the next Parliament and civic authorities, they realise that they have to keep their eye on the long-term picture.

Elections only highlight women’s opportunities to participate in the public sphere. The upcoming election will be a defining moment for those who have worked shoulder to shoulder with women, but they are not the be all and end all. The most important thing now is to prove the perpetrators of violence and intimidation wrong by coming out and voting wisely for the right candidates.

Perhaps the two largest problems remaining for women candidates are the handling of primaries for political parties and the logistics required to mount a serious campaign. It is observed that women face numerous challenges in the transition to democracy. Still, the opening of political space is fortuitous and women are poised and ready to seize the opportunity and present their case to voters decisively.

The writer is the Director of the International Centre for Policy and Conflict