Parliament dissolved....
Kenya buckle up! Women are in this for the long haul
 Yes! The final leg is finally here. Parliament has finally been dissolved and the last leg is here with us. As we bring you USAWA today, we are optimistic about our female aspirants; they will deliver.
At USAWA, our only stand regarding increase in the numbers of women in the 10th parliament is that we cannot afford to fail or keep the status quo; a measly 18% just won’t cut it. Women are part of this democratic society and democracy speaks to leadership by all the people, and for all people. If 50 percent of the people are not being involved in leadership, then clearly, we cannot claim to be living in a democratic society.
The Women Aspirant Popularity Poll commissioned by UNIFEM, predicted that women would win 25% of the Parliamentary seats if elections were carried out in August. An online poll on the standard website shows that over 60% of the 1200 respondents are optimistic that this election will see a rise in the number of women elected to Parliament.
There is a lot of positivity regarding the increase of women in the 10th Parliament. Our female aspirants are literary on fire and we will be bringing you the constituency scenarios as they unfold.
We are happy to report and I am sure you have seen this for yourselves, campaigns are no longer a reserve of the men but a partnership to take the campaign road and seek for votes. The live TV broadcast has been on the whole fundamental for the coverage of female aspirants, where we have seen them take a national platform and tackle issues on the same level as their male counterparts. Their eloquence, brilliance and bravery is quickly bringing to light the female candidature building up the stature of women’s leadership and making women more visible.
As ODM, ODM-K and PNU solidify their campaign pledges, we are encouraged to see therein the faces of our female leaders; Charity Ngilu, Julia Ojiambo, Peris Tobiko, Shakila Abdallah, Lina Kilimo, Njoki Ndungu, Jane Kihara, Beth Mugo, Cecily Mbarire, Josephine Ojiambo, Alicen Chelaite, Martha Karua, Adelina Mwau, Flora Terah, Amina Abdallah, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Mumbi Ngaru, Ruth Oniang'o, Naomi Shaban, among others.
In many countries where women have a substantial number of women represented in Parliament, the fight for increase in women representation was won due to adoption of quotas for women either through voluntary quotas, legislated political party quotas or through the reserved seats or mandates. In Sweden, where party quotas are voluntary, the struggle to reach the current total of more than 45 percent women in parliament took more than 50 years.
In Kenya, our work is cut out for us with the ballot box being the channel that is going to bring forth women to parliament. Never mind the fact that we only have 2 months. Buckle-up! You’re in the ride of your life. Karibu USAWA...
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| In this issue |
A closer look Election Pledge: What does free secondary education mean for women?
Women Aspirant Popularity Poll: Which way forward?
The Kenyan’s Voice: Women and leadership
The Kenyan’s Voice: Women & CDF
Kenyan Women, Outstanding Achievers: Dekha Ibrahim Abdi
In the Media: Peris Tobiko wants to become the first Maasai woman MP
Only 6% of the total coverage provided to political candidates on television is on women with their male counterparts getting 94% of the total coverage.
The Violence must end - Launch of the Gender Rapid Response Unit
Parliamentary Human Rights And Accountability Charter
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| A closer look Election Pledge: What does free secondary education mean for women? |
 Enrollment does not necessarily mean attendance, attendance does not necessarily mean receiving an education, and receiving an education does not necessarily mean receiving a good education. High enrollment ratios may give the mistaken impression that a high proportion of school-age children are being well educated.
The cost of achieving Free Secondary education will be greater than that of free Primary education. Analysts estimate the cost of introducing free secondary education in Kenya to a tune of Ksh40 billion. The unique campaign pledge this elections is no longer for the provision of free secondary education. The presidential candidates have all promised free secondary education if elected.
We need to think hard about this means for us? Have we rushed into the free secondary euphoria without ensuring that our children are receiving quality primary education? Is free secondary education premature? More >> |
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Launch of the Gender Rapid Response Unit (GRRU)
The Education Center for Women in Democracy (ECWD) launched the Gender rapid Response Unit (GRRU). The GRRU is the first of its kind in Kenya and will provide rapid response services to survivors of Electoral Gender Based Violence.
Electoral Violence meted on women during theelection period sees many women drop out of the electoral race. Electoral Gender based Violence not only disempowers women economically and psychologically, requiring them to pay for medical costs they would otherwise not have incurred, it also discourages many "would be aspirants".
At the end of the day it is clear that women and men do not wrestle fo r political positions on a level playing field, with most women in the first instance, viewed as guilty for invading "the male territory" and without license to do so!
The Gender Based Violence Rapid Response Unit (GRRU) hotline numbers are 0725 00 74 00, 0724 00 87 27, 0738 64 30 56, 020 21195.The unit will be in place in the next three months at the ECWD Secretariat. More  |
| “Only 6% of the total coverage provided to political candidates on television is on women,” media monitoring report says. |
The report compiled by The Strategic Research & Public Relations on media monitoring for the Donor Basket on Elections Programme conducted which reported that the coverage of female candidates is minimal compared to coverage of the male politicians.
Citizen TV performed slightly better than the other channels in this respect, with female getting 10% of the coverage provided to candidates.
The disproportionate allocation of air-time to females may be attributed to the relatively low number of female candidates. This is however discounted by the fact that a cross analysis of the various media indicate that a number of times, coverage of women political activity do not receive coverage across the different channels. |
| Women Aspirant Popularity Poll: Which way forward? |
These have been indicative of the fact that rather than seek inclusion subject to the whims of the male power holders, women have to refocus their strategy on consolidating their strengths and on the basis of past experiences, emancipate themselves from the unfortunate state of being at the mercy of the male dominated parliament. It is against this background that this study was done. On the basis of their strengths and weaknesses, the study sought to, among others, gauge the general mindset of the public on women in political leadership in Kenya vis-à-vis that of their male counterparts. More >> |
The Kenyan’s Voice: Women and leadership |
According to a survey by the Strategic Research & Public Relations, Kenyans will vote for women this coming general elections because they feel that women's leadership is characterised by the following; empathetic, maturity, diligence, honesty, aggressive, God fearing, outspoken, Integrity and compassion
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Addressing Gender Bias in Parliament: What can be done?
There has been a general misconception that it is unanimously agreed upon that women have to work for their own empowerment. Reality on the ground is that Kenyans see the need for affirmative action. 41% of the respondents felt that gender biases in Parliament can be addressed by electing or nominating MPs.
As Swedish professor Drude Dahlerup so aptly put it, "Gender quotas are neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for obtaining gender balance in parliament, but as long as discrimination of women and inequality persists, quotas are necessary".
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In the Media: Peris Tobiko wants to become the first Maasai woman MP
 If Maasai custom had its way in Ms Peris Pesi Tobiko’s life, she would have fallen victim to any of the three attempts to force her into an early marriage. But because of her determination to get an education, enhanced by assistance from teachers and other well wishers, Peris is today one of the most outstanding women among this conservative Maa-speaking community. More >>
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The Kenyan’s Voice: Women & CDF
The open secret about poverty in Africa is that it has a woman's face. Poverty has various manifestations, including lack of income and productive resources sufficient to ensure a sustainable livelihood; hunger and malnutrition; ill health; limited or lack of access to education and other basic services; increasing morbidity and mortality from illness; homelessness and inadequate housing; unsafe environments; and social discrimination and exclusion. It is also characterized by lack of participation in decision-making and in civil, social and cultural life. If women are not participating effectively in the management of CDF, there voice will not be heard, there issues will not be addressed and therefore they cannot detach themselves from the poverty that CDF promises to curtail. More >>
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Kenyan Women, Outstanding Achievers |
 It’s nothing new, Kenyan women have been selected for many prestigious awards, awards of excellence and service. From Professor Wangari Maathai to Hon. Njoki Ndungu.
This December, Dekha Ibrahim Abdi will be receiving the Right Livelihood Award (2007) for showing in diverse ethnic and cultural situations how religious and other differences can be reconciled, even after violent conflict, and knitted together through a cooperative process that leads to peace and development. More >> |
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Media Centre
Speech - Accelerating Progress towards Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
Ms. Joanne Sandler, Ad Interim Executive Director, UNIFEM
Parliamentary Human Rights And Accountability Charter
Press Cuttings
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Fact Finder
According to the Electoral Commission of Kenya, of the 10.5 million voters in the
2002 General Elections, 46% were women. Despite the considerable size of the women who vote, representation of women in competitive and elected positions in 2002 was dismal.
For instance, of the 1,035 candidates presented for the
National Assembly in 2002, only 44 were women, whilst only 382 women comprised the 7,010 candidates presented as civic candidates. |
Event : Invitation to the gender forum, Thursday 25th October 2007 at the Nairobi safari club (Lillian towers) from 4pm – 6pm
In continuation of our theme of discussion this year which focuses on enhancing women’s political participation in the forthcoming general elections 2007, our topic of discussion this month is titled: “Are Women Politicians engaging a ‘Malestream’ Media? Assessing media coverage of women candidates and gender issues in this election year”. Our session this month shall constitute a panel of print and electronic media representatives, and shall be moderated by Rosemary Okello of the African Woman and Child Feature Services. The public shall engage the media on the situation of coverage of women candidates, which shall involve a public perception analysis of the media’s coverage of the current women candidates while the media shall give tips on how women candidates can package themselves into newsmakers. Details >> |
Parliamentary Human Rights And Accountability Charter
The public needs to take responsibility for the leaders they elect. If citizens neglect this duty and place unprincipled individuals in office, leadership is exercised not for the public good but instead for the selfish personal interests of a few with access to power. Moreover, it is important that political leaders reflect the aspirations of the people they serve, rather than the head of the party that nominates them.
We therefore ask Kenyans to prevail upon each aspirant for the 2007 parliamentary elections to commit themselves to the following issues which define and answer who and what a good leader is. More >> |
The overall goal of the GGP is to transform leadership and governance at all levels in Kenya in order to deliver on poverty reduction, access to basic needs and equality between and among persons
GGP
is Managed by
United Nations Development Fund for Women - UNIFEM
and funded by
   
  
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| REMEMBER:
The articles in this newsletter are not meant to offend anybody.
They are merely views expressed by our authors and readers and
do not necessarily represent the views of ACWICT, The GGP Programme
or Donors. |
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