1 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Issue Number 26 • May 2012

Clan politics at play Women strategise as representative seat promises to be a bruising battle …By Hussein Dido

s the scramble for political posi- tions take shape in Isiolo, women are bracing themselves for what promises to be a hot contest for theA women representative seat created under the new Constitution. The seat has attracted several aspirants who include Rahma Dida, Tiyyah Galgalo, Fatuma Dullo, Lucy Mworia and Mumina Konso among others. The region has never had a single wom- an in an elective position since indepen- dence and those who are there have only been nominated into civic wards. However, the cast is different this time as the new constitution has not only cre- ated elective positions for women but also set out the gender rule which provides that not more than two thirds of elective seats shall go to either gender. Elders Elders in this region play a major role in the process and all candidates seeking elec- tive positions are usually endorsed during clan meetings. Women have in the past been excluded in meetings held by elders to deliberate on clan issues. They have, this time around, been allowed in clan meetings in order to get endorsement from the elders as commu- nities re-organise to make alignments with other clans ahead of the general election. Out of the five candidates contesting for the women representative seat, three of them have sought clan endorsement at meetings held at Kinna that brought together elders, youths and women seeking elective positions. Dida, Galgalo and Dullo who hail from pastoralist communities have attended clan meetings where they have enumerated their vision and agenda for the County a Continued on page 7

EDITORIAL Signs of hope as land bills are assented to he land question has always land clashes in 1992, 1997 and the 2007 fat on our land so that our children age between the Commission, county ernment in land registration and other been a sensitive issue in the post elections violence which left over grow up in prosperity; and we do not governments and other institutions related purposes. country’s history long before 1,300 men, women and children killed want the fat removed to feed others.” dealing with land and land related re- Now that the new laws are in place, the colonialists arrived took and over 600,000 others displaced in The three are the long awaited Na- sources. On the other hand, the Na- Kenyans will look up to the imple- Tover the best prime agricultural land in Rift Valley Province and other parts of tional Land Commission Act 2012; the tional Land Commission shall manage menting actors and agencies to trans- the country. the country. Land Act 2012; and the Land Regis- public land on behalf of the national late their dreams into reality. Kenyans have fought each other for tration Act, 2012, which activists like and county governments. During the ongoing AWC Features it at the individual, family and com- History Odenda Lumumba, the CEO of the Service countrywide peace forums in munity level leaving a trail of blood, But that dark phase of our coun- Kenya Land Alliance, among others, Land Garissa, Kibera, Eldoret and Nakuru, destruction and hostility. try’s history is about to change forever, have been lobbying for decades have With regard to the Land Act, the women from all walks of life have sin- Indeed, it has always been a major thanks to the assenting of three cru- been assented to by President Kibaki. law provides for the mechanism to re- gled out the unresolved land question topic at all forums since independence cial land laws by President Kibaki last The National Land Commission vise, consolidate and rationalise land as one of the major causes of conflict in 49 years ago and featured prominently month, that have captured the women’s Act establishes the National Land laws as well as to provide for the sus- their respective families pitting broth- at the Lancaster Constitutional Con- gains in the new Constitution aptly. Commission and as well as creates tainable administration and manage- ers against sisters and/or in-laws; in ference, in the Kenya We Want in the Indeed, Kenyans can now heave a rules for the management and admin- ment of land and land based resources. their homes and in their community. 1980s, in the Bomas Conference in sigh of relief remembering the words istration of land in accordance with On its part, the Land Registration These women now have a reason 2005, and was finally captured in the of the founder of the nation, Mzee the principles of land policy as out- Act establishes mechanisms to revise, to smile, as they look forward to Par- new Constitution in 2010. Jomo Kenyatta, in 1952: “God said this lined in the Constitution and in the consolidate and rationalise the registra- liament taking the next step towards The thorny issue has been politi- is our land, land in which we flourish national land policy. tion of titles to land, to give effect to the legislation of the three laws and ensure cised over the years and led to political as a people. We want our cattle to get The Act further provides for a link- principles and objects of devolved gov- that women fully reap the benefits. 2 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Numbers not Empowerment and inclusion the answer captured in ground breaking index to women’s …By Rosemary Okello sistent obstacles and economic constraints, limiting further in- agenda t 56, Jane who lives in the clusion in the sector Central part of Uganda According to Agnes Quisu- …By Henry Kahara has not known any other mbing Senior Research Fellow way of life apart from on Poverty, Health and Nutri- s more women prepare to ascend Athat which she has been doing dili- tion who was one of the re- to positions of leadership and gently since she was seven years old. searchers, despite numerous decision making as guaranteed Her life has been centred around cultural and traditional barriers in the Constitution, questions waking up every morning to go to which women face, the study aboundA as to whether the seats will attract till the family farm. was able to reveal that areas individuals who are able to articulate wom- Before she was married, Jane where women lack empower- en’s issues in a way that helps in the allevia- diligently accompanied her mother ment is with respect to lack of tion of poverty to spur development in dif- to the farm. Today, as a mother of leadership at the community, ferent parts of the country. four, her life has been centred on the time burden and lack of con- According to Joy Masheti, a programme’s their small farm which acts like a trol over resources. officer with the Caucus for Women Leader- source of income and food. She explains that in Uganda ship, numbers alone may not help to bring “This is the only way I can beat men report relatively less disem- about the desired change. poverty, using my sweat,” she ob- powerment in decision-making Masheti says zeal is the key, it must be serves. over income, less time poverty, women who are committed to aspirations Even though Jane is not aware of and relatively greater achieve- of fellow women at all levels and are deter- how to empower herself, last month ments in community leadership mined to see change. a group of researchers undertook a than women. ground breaking study whose aim “The fact that men report Election was to measure women’s empower- less time poverty probably arises “Some women will be elected in Parlia- ment in developing countries. because women in Uganda (as ment but still stand with their respective in much of Sub-Saharan Af- parties even when important women’s is- Empowerment rica) play a very important role sues are being discussed,” Masheti observes. The pilot study on the Women’s in food production, over and She cites an example of how women in Empowerment in Agriculture In- above their roles as caregivers the tenth Parliament came together during dex (WEAI) is the first measure to and guardians of their families’ the Constitution review process in Naiva- directly capture women’s empow- food and nutrition security,” ex- sha and endorsed affirmative action which erment and inclusion levels in the plains Quisumbing. is now entrenched in the constitution. agricultural sector and it revealed Since the question of leader- “That was our first time to see Martha that women are considered to be ship is critical in Africa and be- Karua who is Narc Kenya leader take a uni- empowered if they have adequate cause the political leadership and fied stand with the likes of Rachel Shebesh achievements in four of the five food production are linked and and Millie Odhiambo from ODM,” ex- areas namely power over produc- this has always had a negative im- plains Masheti. tive resources such as land and pact on food security, Quisumb- She notes that unless we have gender livestock, decisions over income, ing points out that if African sensitive women, then we are likely to miss leadership in the community and leaders really want to bring about out on this grand opportunity to main- time use. change, the areas to begin with stream gender in all governance processes. Carried out in three countries are those where women are dis- A woman tilling her land. This is how many women earn “When women are included in decision with diverse socioeconomic and cul- empowered. their income and also keep away poverty at bay. making process they will help in making a tural contexts — Bangladesh, Guate- gender sensitive budget which is likely to mala, and Uganda — the Index was Leardership spur development and address the needs developed to track the change in “Lack of leadership in the of all without discrimination,” Masheti ob- women’s empowerment and capture community, time burden, and resources such as land and making Empowerment in Agriculture In- serves. it through the inclusion to all levels lack of control over resources are women more aware of those rights.” dex marks a major advance in our “If you look at our parliament which is of leadership within the agricultural some of the areas to look into. This Although there have been re- ability to measure empowerment. It male dominated, many of the times they sector. means giving women more oppor- forms in property rights in Ugan- brings into stark relief the ways in make decisions that appear to favour men, tunities to participate in economic, da such as in the land law, women which women are empowered, and but if we can have more women representa- Grwoth social and political groups in the still need to be made aware of the areas in which they are disem- tives, the needs of both gender are to be ad- The index focuses on women community and giving them more those rights, and need to be able to p ow e re d .” dressed and thus contribute to meaningful because they play a critical role in voice and the ability to express their claim those rights before the law. The Index study is a partnership development.” agricultural growth in developing needs,” notes Quisumbing. So interventions that provide legal between the US Government’s Feed According to Masheti, if Kenyans want countries yet face persistent ob- She explains: “It means giving aid to communities, for example, the Future initiative, the United to reap the fruits of this constitution they stacles and economic constraints, women access to ways to reduce in support of women’s land rights States Agency for International have to be ready to implement it to the letter. limiting further inclusion in the drudgery through more appropri- through paralegal activities are a Development (USAID), the In- Gender sector. ate tools for food processing, bet- way to strengthen women’s land ternational Food Policy Research A statement by the researchers ter infrastructure for water, and rights and also give them a voice Institute (IFPRI), and the Oxford “This is the only way to go, to involve reveals that women play a critical more fuel efficient stoves. It also within the community. Poverty and Human Development both genders and to elect people who are role in agricultural growth in devel- means promoting reform in prop- According to Dr Sabina Alkire, Initiative (OPHI) of Oxford Uni- result driven not just for the sake of getting oping countries. Yet they face per- erty rights to important productive Director of OPHI: “The Women’s versity. the numbers but people who are driven by passion,” she advices. Masheti says that the Constitution en- ables this to be realised in the County level where it states that not more than two third Busia woman tops list of youth seeking senatorship of one gender will be allowed to seat in the …By Frank Ouma “My desire to seek the Senator’s position is face our people and through their support we County Assembly. to serve people of Busia who have starved for will get out of poverty that has affected us for According to the Constitution, (Article he race for the position of a Sena- long due to poor leadership that has led to high long,” she stressed. 177(b)) not more than two thirds of the tor for Busia County in the com- level of poverty in the County which stands at Mangeni said that despite the County be- membership of the assembly shall be of the ing general elections has kept many 68 per cent,” observed Mangeni. ing a gateway to the Great Lakes region, the same gender. aspirants away after former Attor- She said her desire to serve the people of leadership had failed to tap that potential and According to Beyond Numbers a book ney General Amos Wako announced that he Busia will not be deterred by Wako who is seen develop the area to alleviate poverty. that narrates about the impact of women T would be seeking the position in the next gen- to have financial muscle saying that it’s the vot- Busia County has a population of about in leadership in East Africa, “one way to eral election. ers in the County who will decide. 500,000 people and borders Kakamega and improve women’s status is to train those in Many aspirants in the area have been reluc- “Our people need servant leadership and Bungoma Counties while internationally it various cadres who will serve in the gov- tant to come out and challenge Wako for fear of I am seeking the seat so that I can serve the borders Uganda. ernment and non-government organisa- his financial muscle and personality. Busia people by helping develop the region,” “Our election should not be about money tions to act as catalysts of change and will However, there are some who do not fear to she reiterated. but rather be issue based,” she said adding facilitate the integration of gender in deci- tread where lions dare and one youthful wom- that voters must make informed choices. sion making and policy formation.” an has come forward and declared her interest Resources She blamed politicians who rely on their Executive Director for Global Programs in the seat. Mangeni says that the County has a lot of money while seeking leadership adding that at Women for Women Karen Sherman says: Susan Mangeni, a Director with Youth En- resources that have not been utilized due to the such leaders do not have the interest of the elec- “When you invest in women, they typically terprise Fund says she will face Wako for the failure by elected legislators to seek views of the torate at heart and should be rejected out rightly. invest 90 per cent back into the health, nutri- position during the coming elections. She has electorate. According to sources, Wako has already tion and education of their families, as op- promised to upstage Wako who served as Ke- “I was born and educated in Busia County stepped up his campaign towards becoming posed to 30-40 per cent for men.” nya’s attorney general for a long time. and, therefore, I understand challenges that one of the senators in this country. 3 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Micere Githae Mugo Struggles and resilience of top Pan Africanist

…By Carolyne Oyugi 1956. For this reason she has very bad memories of the period. obert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean presi- “The colonial government would be shoot- dent is known to many people as a ing Africans just next to my school. That is when tough President, and others even refer I realised how brutal the colonialists were. We to him as a dictator. However, there are would be forced to look at the corpses,” she re- Rthose who have kind words for him and one of calls adding that some had been dead for days them is Prof Micere Mugo. “He is a comrade; he and had started to decompose. was a friend when my own people did not want According to Micere, that was meant to me,” she says. make them keep quiet and not fight for their Micere always stood for what she thought land because those who went against the colo- was right, she never hesitated to question the nialists would end up like that. authority and demand for the people’s rights. The next school that she went to had good Her inquisitiveness brushed the regime of teachers and they performed well. It was there President Daniel Moi the wrong way. This led to that she got rid of the stereotype opinions that the beginning of her many problems and jour- people had always expressed. ney from one country to another. “Things became very bad for me that I was Writing denied landing rights in Zambia as a result of “People kept saying that people from Ndia the relationship between the Kenyan and Zam- were thick. My teachers however insisted that you bian Presidents,” she said during a public lecture must define yourself not to prove yourself but to and launch of her book: From the Heart of my name yourself,” says Micere. This experience later Mind-The Story of our Journey at the University on led to her writing of, African Orature and Hu- of Nairobi. man Rights, which was published in 1991. The Micere further explains that when she in- work is a discussion of the storytelling culture of quired why she could not land in Zambia she was the Ndia people in Kenya’s Kirinyaga District and informed that she had expressed an act of sincere its culture’s relation to politics. aggression to be allowed to land in that country. Learning was not easy. They were thoroughly She was forced to depart Kenya in 1982 after beaten by the teachers in order to get them to con- becoming the target of official government ha- centrate. “That is what characterised the colonial rassment, and has worked, written, and taught system of education, they used terror,” she says. abroad for many years since. When she joined Alliance Girls’ High School, Micere had a different experience. “We Friendship were called big names like the cream of the na- Among other countries that welcomed her at tion. For the first time I felt the sense of being the time that Kenya disposed her were Tanzania, among Kenyans. We spoke as one, we teased one and Mozambique. Her friendship with Samora another but not out of hate,” she recalls. and Graca Machel ensured that her children and She later on joined Limuru Girls’ High family did not suffer or feel left out, she said dur- School becoming the first black students to be ing an interview with Capital Talk on K24. allowed to enrol in what had previously been a Micere is a professor of African studies at segregated academy. Syracuse University in New York State. She She was enrolled together with an Indian sought asylum in several African countries. girl. They were admitted on condition that if “President Robert Mugabe is the only head they performed well then they would allow of state who understood my situation and de- more Africans. cided to host me in his country,” said Micere. “That was a very big role we were given to She lived in Zimbabwe for a time, where she play. The other girls depended on us to pave way found a teaching post. Among her friend being to better education for them,” she notes. Sally Mugabe, the first lady of Zimbabwe who Here she faced racial discrimination but has since died. Micere continued to write, some- this did not pull her down. Instead she learnt thing that she loved. not to make it personal but instead blame the “I am a child of the universe, I have lived in almost all From the act of kindness that she received institution. continents.” from Zimbabwean government, she was able to Education fight for her rights and has been able to work — Prof Micere Mugo. and live in many countries. After Limuru and Alliance, Micere found her “I am a child of the universe, I have lived in way into Makerere University in Uganda. This almost all continents,” she said. taught her to be good and confident. It extended with honours in 1966, Mugo became active in She also served as chair of the Department of Micere is a Kenyan woman who can be her identity as a Kenyan, a woman and a student. leftist politics, and was once arrested and de- African American Studies and was instrumen- described in so many words yet none can give She studied drama and even won an award tained in a jail cell with only men. tal in developing the department’s master’s pro- the exact picture of who she is. Others say she for best actress at the Uganda Drama Festival. Micere finished her Master of Arts in 1973, gramme in Pan African Studies. She has served is courageous, daring, brave, strong, intelligent “It opened up my land; I learnt some things and went on to the University of Toronto to earn in numerous college and university committees, while others are still looking for the right word that I have never even used like Greek language. a doctoral degree. She teamed with acclaimed including the university senate, the faculty coun- that can summarise her character. But all these were used to bring us together,” she Kenyan literary figure Ngugi wa Thiong’o to cil and as a faculty member of the Reneé Crown She is, however, quick to admit that she is says with nostalgia. write The Trial of Dedan Kimathi. University Honours Programme, among others. considered by some people as a nuisance and Micere is not only a teacher; she is a poet, Leaving Toronto, she returned to Kenya, Micere was a founder of the Pan African being too vocal for a woman. playwright, and scholar. She taught at the Depart- and enjoyed a prominent post at the University Community of Central New York and one of “I was brought up in a family where we were ment of Literature at the University of Nairobi as of Nairobi as a senior lecturer and the first wom- the organisation’s first presidents. She is also the encouraged to speak out our minds regardless of a senior lecturer and Dean until 1982. She would an dean at the university. founder and former president of the Syracuse- your gender,” she says. later teach at the University of Zimbabwe. Today In 1982, her political opinions once again based United Women of Africa Organisation. she is a Professor of African American studies at threatened her safety. Kenya had become a one- Her many awards and honours includes the Colonial Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. party state after 1978, and the government of CNY Women of Distinction Award (2008), the Micere Githae Mugo was born in 1942, in At the time when no one thought of wom- Daniel arap Moi was forced to put in place harsh Distinguished Africanist Award (2007), the Life- Baricho, Kenya. At the time, Kenya was still un- en, Micere wrote Daughter of My People, Sing! measures against internal dissidence in order to time Community Service Award from the Syra- der colonial government. Which is partially about the strength of women, secure its political power. cuse Chapter of Above and Beyond Community Her parents who were both teachers valued but also concentrates on the consumerism and In 1994, her second volume of poetry, My Recognition Awards, Inc. (2004), and the Human education and did not discriminate between competition that arose in post-colonial Kenya. Mother’s Poem and Other Songs, was published. Rights Award, Onondaga County Human Rights sons and daughters as was a common trend in She would later on wrote many literature pieces. Her poem, Mother Afrika Matriots, ties in Commission (2004). In 2002, the Kenyan East most African families at the time. Her English-language verse and drama draws the political struggle of African women with African Standard Century placed her on its “The She owes her success as a woman and as a heavily upon indigenous African cultural tradi- that of other groups. It links their spirit to upris- Top 100: They Influenced Kenya Most” during leader to the education system that she went tions. As a critic, she has also written extensively ings elsewhere on the continent and even Black the 20th Century list. She is also a recipient of a through. on contemporary African literature. She embrac- Panther politics in urban America. Rockefeller Foundation Award for writing and “I used to be a little bit of an over withdrawn es the black race. In her other work, The Woman’s Poem, Mi- publication (1992), a Ford Foundation Award for and anti-social child. Boarding school, however, Micere’s parents hoped that she would be- cere exhorts her reader to imagine a resourceful research on African orature and human rights taught me how to speak out,” says Micere who come a doctor, but she harboured literary am- woman who makes good things happen includ- (1987-1990), and the Marcus Garvey Award from attended Embu Girls Primary school and Kan- bitions. She was already writing poetry in her ing victory. She addresses political awareness the Canadian Branch of U.N.I.A. (1985). gangaru Girls next to Mt. Kenya. teens. Her literary ambitions were encouraged touches upon the antiapartheid movement in She is also the 2012 Julius Nyerere Intellec- Her adolescence was disturbed by the Mau by acclaimed writer Chinua Achebe during her South Africa, for example, or critiques postcolo- tual Festival Lecturer award. Mau uprising, which endured from 1952 to time in Makerere University. After graduating nial political leadership in other African nations. Additional information from the internet 4 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Gender based violence survivors want government commitment …By Kenyan Woman Correspondent ecutive Director of Nairobi Women’s Hospital Gender Violence Recovery Centre said that cas- eating of women and men as well as es of gender based violence have increased. sexual abuse remain issues that need “We treated about 2,900 victims in 2011 constant visibility and participation of compared to 2,487 in 2010,” observed Wangechi. all stakeholders if the war against gen- She reiterated that more needs to be done to re- Bder based violence is to be won. duce the rise in cases. This was evident on the eve of International “Survivors of sexual violence should report the Women’s Day, when hundreds of people from all incident and go to hospital within 72 hours after walks of life participated in a campaign against an attack,” advised Wangechi. She added: “This gender based violence. will ensure that evidence is not interfered with as During the event, a gender based violence well as help prevent sexually transmitted diseases.” survivor presented a memorandum to the Assis- According to Njuguna Thuku, who represent- tant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister ed the civil society, “nothing can justify violence in Alfred Khangati. The memo sought to secure the community as it affects both men and women”. Government commitment on the three pillars of the campaign namely prevention of violence Gender against women and girls, provision of services to Thuku observed that violence happens due survivors of violence and promotion of justice to unequal power relations between men and and end impunity. women. He called on the Government to opera- Regional Development Minister Fred The walk was flagged off at Uhuru Park by tionalise the Children’s Act as well as the Sexual Gumo flags off a walk on the eve of the Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo Offences Act. International Women’s Day. Below, who said gender based violence has no place According to Fidelis Zama Chi, the UNFPA participants jostle for positions as they in today’s society and called on both men and Representative who represented the UN, the Ke- walk in commemoration of the day. women to respect each other. nya Demographic and Health Survey of 2008- 2009, demonstrates that 39 per cent of Kenyan Violence women have experienced violence since they were about by men and women joining hands Gumo who was representing Prime Minister aged 15. in full understanding and respect of one Raila Odinga, said that both the President and Chi noted that statistics by the Kenya Police another,” Chi explained. the Prime Minister were committed to ending Crime for 2007 pointed out to the vast numbers At the same time about 75 men, violence against women and girls in Kenya. gender based violence cases with many of them women and youth representing 36 Pomp and colour marked the event with a still lacking justice and closure. African countries, 14 United Nations Nairobi based band Shangilia, belting out tunes “Ensuring men and boys, women and girls agencies, businesses, women’s rights as the campaigners walked in the city. There was are engaged in prevention and response activities activists and civil society organisations also entertainment by a Kibera youth group. remain key to successful eradication of violence. also took part in a three day trek to the tain — in a continent-wide campaign to end vio- Speaking at the event, Grace Wangechi, Ex- Society needs changes which can only be brought top of Mt. Kilimanjaro — Africa’s highest moun- lence against women and girls. Changing gender roles slowly reducing Gender Based Violence (GBV) …By Carolyne Oyugi by their husbands to provide. She believes that men have their shares of example is prostate cancer and the government “The society is playing double standard, how problems and since they are human they should should make treatment of prostate cancer af- henever a child is born, the par- do you encourage girls to go to school then stay express their emotions and not be embarrassed fordable and accessible to all men. ents are usually filled with hap- at home as a house wife and take care of domes- about it. Participants at the forum also complained piness. The family and friends tic chore?, she asked. “Men are frowned on if they do not have about the prevailing conditions at the health fa- are excited about the addition of Kamau noted that not all men gain from more opportunities than women. The societal cilities. theirW own .The mother is pampered and treated patriarchal dividend since it is just some men expectations have led to exploitation of the male “Children’s wards are designed in away that kindly just to appreciate her successful preg- depending on their financial and societal class. members of the same society,” she added. it is only comfortable for the women to stay with nancy. According to Dr. Mbugua Mugai, a lecturer According to Ongaro, men have been forced the children, what if my wife can not make it to There is however a special treatment when a at Kenyatta University, some men have become to pay dearly for the dowry; some men have had the hospital,” said John Owando. mother gives birth to a male child. You will hear violent because they feel that the society has to take loans in order to please their in-laws. Owando called on the authority to seek ef- words like ‘a bouncing baby boy’ or ‘dume’. The been unfair to them. “Women have also for along time been ex- fective remedies to change the situation to ben- mother receives a different and better treatment “I once talked to a bus conductor and he told pected to serve men and so when a successful efit the people. compared to if it were a baby girl. me that women are doing better than them. He woman hires a poor man in the village to do The forum also pointed out lack of role mod- This scenario characterises most African further told me that it’s unfair for a woman to some manual work then the people around are els in men as a factor contributing to violence, communities and it is replicated worldwide. Ac- drive a big and expensive car when he can barely not happy about it,” noted Ongaro. something they noted is contributing to several cording to Prof. Nyokabi Kamau, a gender con- feed himself,” he added. She however emphasises that there is hope cases of violence. sultant, the society has always defined the gender This situation according to Mugai cannot be for the men. The constitution, which many peo- According to Kennedy Otina, the regional of the child from a very tender age by developing avoided since both genders have equal opportu- ple think has only empowered women, also has programme associate, Men to men Programme a clear cut definition of male and female and ex- nities and you cannot blame a woman for being so many gains for the men. at African Women’s Development and Commu- pected each gender to fulfill its obligation. successful while a man is failing. For example, article 45 has clearly spelt out nication Network (FEMNET). Mugai also mentioned that music and mass the matrimonial rights without discriminating FEMNET, when a boy grows up in a family Domestic media is used by some people, especially fre- any gender. where the father is always absent and when he is Both male and female were expected to be- quent radio callers to demean women. Article 15 (1) has also given men the right to there then he is violent, then he tends to think have in a certain way; they had their tasks to do. “That is a national radio and the programme be Kenyan citizens by marrying a Kenyan woman. that that is how it should be. While addressing a public gender forum orga- is in the morning yet the man portrays women This was not provided for in the old constitution. He urged men to change their attitude and nized to understand Gender Based Violence: as useless, he emphasises on the point that wom- Men who have been denied visitations by the appreciate how the environment and the society Deconstructing Masculinity and Femininity, en should be brought under men’s heels. mother of their child or children are also pro- is changing. Kamau, stated that this has led to the present cri- Mugai explains that this is no longer possible tected by Article 53(e). The forum was organized by Heinrich Böll sis of domestic violence and in particular Gen- and everyone should treat one another with the Stiftung (HBS) in collaboration with the FEM- der based violence. required respect. Children NET. “Times are changing, technology has moved He warns that if the society does not find the Men who have been battered by their spous- Its aim was to interrogate the root causes of at a very high speed and the definition of gender source of the current gender violence then it will es also have access to protection by law and ac- GBV by situating it within the context of culture, also has to change in order for both genders to co miss the real problem. cess to healthcare. masculinity and femininity. It further sought to exist in peace,” she said. Men are usually expected to be macho, their Ongaro also added that women empower- bring out the fact that GBV is about power dy- Kamau observed that unlike many decades tears are not to be seen and they should have ment does not mean men’s disempowerment. namics and a problem of the entire society and back when the man was expected to be the bread more opportunity than women. Article 45 also assures both genders of a right to not that of women or men. winner of the house there are however many But Ms. Beverlline Ongaro, an advocate of reproductive health. She disputed the common A toolkit on working with men to combat women who are now doing that. Some are single the High Court of Kenya and the programme belief that this is only for women. gender based violence titled “The Men to Men mothers while others do it as a result of a failure officer, Act Transform disagrees with this. “Men have reproductive issues and a good Strategy Toolkit” was also launched. 5 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Leadership has nothing Education locks out most Women to do with marital aspirants …By Bob Ombati

“I will not contest for the Kisii County Women representative seat status, says Muthoni since I do not have the minimum educational requirements” says …By Henry Owino Jane Justine Oruru, a widow. Oruru, who is the only elected female councillor in Kisii Mu- s the space for politics nicipal Council ( KMC) out of 17 councillors — 12 elected and five has widened with the nominated — says that her education background consigns her to new constitutional dis- defending her seat as a ward representative seat in the forthcoming pensation, so has the General Elections. number of women who are aspiring The councillor, who beat ten candidates, nine men and a woman A to capture the Nyabururu Ward civic seat in 2007 observes that the for various seats. Kellen Muthoni is one woman education threshold that one must have post secondary education who is not being left out within this certificate will automatically disqualify many female aspirants. political scheme. She is aspiring to contest for Chuka Ward in Thara- Difficult kanithi County, Eastern Province She says it will be difficult for the current crop of civic leaders to in the forthcoming General Elec- contest for positions outlined in the Constitution as majority lack the tions. The seat is currently held by required education qualifications. the Mayor and has attracted both Oruru, who won the seat through the late Prof Wangari Maathai’s contemporary and old politicians. Mazingira Party, asserts that she is the second civic leader to be elect- This means that it will not be walk ed after Clare Omanga since the inception of the council 30 years ago. over for her. She observes that many councillors are not highly educated but they still clinch seats due to their campaign strategies and policies. Challenges Oruru, who was elected for the first time in 2007 says she is un- Already she is facing huge able to advance her education owing to the fact that she is the sole challenges. Her opponents are rid- bread winner in her family and has committed her resources to edu- ing on her marital status to dis- cating her two children and needy relatives. credit her. The major challenge “As a widow, I am heavily burdened. I prefer to educate my she is experiencing at the moment children rather than advance my education. I want to empower my is opposition from men who have children to make them self reliant in the future,” she reiterated. started citing her marital status as The constitutional dispensation, notes the civic leader requires she is not married. She affirms that visionary, educated, focused and sharp grassroots leaders who will marital status should not be used rightly interpret government policies to their subjects and mobilise to discriminate against women them for community development. seeking leadership positions. She says that the merging of several civic wards to form County “Men want the society to be- Wards requires massive resources and tactics during the campaigns lieve that women who are not mar- to convince voters to support one’s candidature. ried are unfit to hold public office Nyabururu ward in Kitutu Chache Constituency, Kisii County and that their candidature brings has been merged with others to create Kitutu Central Ward. Oruru bad picture in the society,” she says says although this presents a new challenge in her campaigns, she is adding that her critics want her sure to recapture the seat which is likely to attract an array of contes- to get married first then seek the tants. leadership mantle. The wards were created by the Independent Electoral and However, she plans to remain Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after Kitutu Chache was split into in the race despite the insults and Kitutu Chache North and Kitutu Chache South in line with propos- criticisms directed at her. Muthoni als by the residents. says hate speech is not an excuse Oruru advises women aspirants to take an active role in their re- to surrender but an inspiration to “Men want the society to believe that women who are spective political parties to enable them win the party tickets during move on. the nominations. The aspirant who paraphrases not married are unfit to hold public office and that their The former Kitutu Chache Constituency KANU Treasurer the Bible states: “Trials and afflic- candidature brings bad picture in the society.” failed to get an Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM) ticket after tions qualify us to the next level of another candidate received direct nomination from the party. glory in our lives. So please when — Kellen Muthoni you come across one do not quit but Assets stand firm...and change the situa- “As women aspiring for various political and apppointive posi- tion... I am in the race until the last She plans to give priority to the Muthoni. tions, education and confidence should be our assets. We should be day when the elections results will be road network and sewerage system in To the youth working in the matatu assertive and defend our policies to ascend to power,” says Oruru, announced and winner declared.” the first two years in office. industry, the aspirant wants to encour- urging women not to wait for leadership posts on a silver platter. Muthoni has big plans for the resi- She believes that leadership is all age them to form Savings and Credits She advises women aspirants for various elective seats to guard dents and has already rolled out her about passion, networking, hard work Cooperative Societies (Saccos) where against being short changed during nominations or compromised to campaign strategy. “For many years, and determination not just education they can save and borrow money, buy step down in favour of their male competitors. This, she says, will deny the seat has been held by men who have alone citing how some national leaders property such as houses and land to ex- them a chance ascend into power and address problems facing the not initiated any tangible development. in South Africa excelled in leadership pand their wealth. electorate. Roads are still in a deplorable state, despite having little education. She is disappointed that many security is lacking and the area experi- Muthoni hopes create a conducive youth in the area have gone to school ences acute water shortages,” she notes. environment for trade and says that and trained in various fields but major- “As women aspiring Muthoni blames this on bad lead- women who operate mainly in the ity are unemployed and have turned ership as development is mainly con- market must be provided with better to be drunkards, engage in illegal ac- for various political centrated in areas where politicians working conditions such as enough tivities and do not want to get married. perceive as their political strongholds. space, security lights and proper fence “With my leadership, I pledge to work and appointive If she wins the seat, Muthoni will at the main entrance. day and night to provide solutions as positions, education employ an inclusive approach in her She will also encourage women to the trend might get out of hand if not leadership style. “My first duty will be form and join welfare groups where addressed in time,” Muthoni notes. and confidence should to call all the Ward residents so that we they will get funding to start up joint Her mission and vision for the be our assets. We can jointly identify areas that require businesses and thus eliminate the cul- people of Chuka Ward is, mwamko immediate attention. The residents will ture of dependency and empower them mpya-uongozi bora (new dawn, good should be assertive and also be empowered to set the agenda in to educate their children and fend for leadership). The young aspirant says development,” she explains. their families. the incumbent is the Mayor but his de- defend our policies to ascend to power.” She says a bottom-up approach velopment track record is wanting. — Jane Justine Oruru is the best way to work in any given Savings She affirms that it is high time the community as the people know their “Currently I am the secretary of old guards retire in politics to allow needs much better than one may as- Mitsum Welfare Group with a mem- young leaders to take charge. She is yet She challenges women to further their education to qualify for sume. “Most leaders have, however, bership of over 25 women who came to declare the political party which she appointive positions in the county and national governments which favoured the top-down method which together for a common goal and today plans to use as her vehicle during the require professionalism in specific areas, “The time when appoint- means that development projects have we have gone far. So, I understand how campaigns. ments to Cabinet positions and other sectors were based on patron- been imposed on the people leading best a well organised welfare group can She says voters must choose wisely, age, political party affiliation, tribalism and nepotism is long gone,” to either stalling or collapsing of some promote one from a mere house-help make decision and elect the next Chu- reiterated Oruru. projects at some point.” to self sustaining income,” observes ka Ward representative. 6 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Pastoralist women seek to take the leadership mantle …By Faith Muiruri Speaking during an interview with the Kenyan Woman in Nairobi Gal- all it defiance, call it ut- galo says this disfranchises women ter disenchantment or still candidates from the outset and places rhetoric, but for Tiyah Gal- male aspirants at a vantage point to galo nothing will stop her clinch the seats since the elders have Ccrusade to push for the inclusion of the knack to rally the community into women from pastoralist communities supporting candidates of their choice. in decision making processes. “The biggest problem with this Galgalo, a former commissioner kind of scenario is that women who with the disbanded Interim Indepen- represent 52 per cent of registered dent Electoral Commission (IIEC), voters are relegated to the periphery has launched a fierce onslaught to- despite provisions in the Constitution wards the oppressive cultural and which demand that women be in- traditional practices that have for de- cluded in decision making processes,” cades denied women from pastoralist Galgalo observes. communities access to opportunities But in what is seen as a coura- in the political and economic sphere. geous move, women from the County Armed with the dictates of the have vowed to reject the traditional Tiyah Galgalo (right), a former commissioner with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission is joined by new Constitution, Galgalo prom- system of vetting candidates if they Hindia Salat, women leader Marsabit County where they called for empowering of women and men to ensure ises to consign the repressive cultural are not part of the process. that the Constitution is observed to the letter. norms into oblivion. The women have appealed to the Picture: Kenyan Woman Correspondent. elders, expressing their reservations Law in the system and asking to be includ- “The law of the land is clear that ed in the ongoing process even if it is gies as independent entities during “The meetings will serve as a wake- which have scared away women as- all persons including women must on the sidelines. the General Elections which must be up call for women who have shied pirants and should therefore be ad- participate in decision making pro- respected. from the political seats because of the dressed as a matter of urgency. cesses and, therefore, any other law Seat “We will oppose any bid to trade cultural barriers, lack of resources and She says the next General Elec- that appears to undermine the en- “I intend to present grievances on women positions as clan elders solicit capacity in terms of thinking that they tions present a bigger challenge to all joyment of these values as set out in behalf of the women as I notify the for votes for their preferred male can- are not the best people who should be aspirants and mainly women who will the constitution is null and void,” she elders of my willingness to contest didates. We are telling them, you look elected,” she reiterates. be required to traverse the two coun- reiterates. for the Isiolo County women repre- for your own votes as we look for sup- The former Commissioner says ties which have been torn by recur- And as the scramble for political sentative seat and it does not matter port for our female candidates as we that, once resources are availed, nu- ring conflicts. seats ahead of the General Elections whether they accept the appeal letter can no longer accept to be ignored,” merous meetings will be held across “For instance, Marsabit County gains momentum, Galgalo is leaving or reject it, the most important thing she stresses. the County to allow women an op- comprises of North Horr, Laisamis nothing to chance. She has embarked is that the message will have reached portunity to be heard. and Saku constituencies. Each con- on a massive campaign to mobilise them,” says Galgalo adding the appeal Funding She says that unless women from stituency has been electing their own women to reject candidates endorsed letter is the first of its kind. “At the moment we are sourc- pastoralist communities are facilitat- leaders. However, the new law re- in ongoing clan meetings in their ab- She observes that clan elders ing for funding because it is difficult ed, the one third rule on elective posts quires the constituencies which have sence. have always suppressed women and to mobilize women from all parts of will be a mirage. over the years fought over the limited She intimates that a series of clan gotten away with it but the Consti- the extensive County. Some of these “Most female candidates in arid resources including pasture to unite meetings have been convened to en- tution is specific and women must women are also wives of people push- and semi arid regions lack knowl- and elect a Governor, a Senator and dorse preferred male candidates in stand firm and fight for their rights. ing for their exclusion. We want to edge on the Political Parties Act have a Woman Representative when they complete disregard of the Constitu- She says that “men should know that convene meetings within their reach no resources to traverse their exten- still harbour deep rooted unresolved tion which outlaws exclusion on the women are no longer sleeping and to sensitise them on the numerous sive Counties and lack the charisma conflicts. basis of gender or sex. are watching keenly to expose any seats enshrined in the constitution so to pool crowds into their meetings,” forms of violations”. that they do not crowd on the seat for she notes. Majority Clans She notes that although the clan women representative,” Galgalo ex- She says the situation has been ag- In fact the minority tribes name- “Currently all the bigger clans system of vetting candidates was plains. gravated by the ongoing skirmishes ly Rendile, Gabras and Durji’s have in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties are more elaborate than what is provid- formed an alliance namely RIGADU meeting to endorse their preferred ed for in the Constitution, it was bi- to make sure Borana’s who are the male candidates ahead of the forth- ased and skewed in favour of male “We will oppose any bid to trade women majority and have ostensibly enjoyed coming General Elections. However, candidates. power for decades do not win the women are not supposed to sit with “If this is the only system that positions as clan elders solicit for votes for their seats. men in the clan meetings because will vet candidates for the next preferred male candidates. We are telling them, Galgalo says that such alliances they are exclusively for men,” observes General Election, then men will complicate matters for women as Galgalo. She adds: “Women are only impose leaders on us including you look for your own votes as we look for normally the people elected do not allowed to attend the meetings and hand picking candidates to fill up represent the interests of women. notify clan elders of their plans to seats earmarked for women,” Gal- support for our female candidates as we can no “The Government should in- contest in the elections for the sake of galo reiterates. longer accept to be ignored.” volve local people in finding lasting profiling but they are not part of the She says that women have re- solution to the endless conflicts,” she agenda.” solved to map up campaign strate- — Tiyah Galgalo advices. Married women forced into genital mutilation …By Kirimi Murithi that they were holding a meeting. She said the group has been training younger an elderly circumciser is evidence that there has been “When she entered the house she was ordered to women on how to carry out FGM which threatens training for younger women to take up the circum- Shock has gripped Tigania East Constituency of undress. She screamed and neighbours came to her to advance the practice into the future. cising role. Meru County after married women opposed to Fe- rescue,” explained Kangai. While confirming the arrest, area Officer Com- According to Susan Munya, chairperson of male Genital Mutilation were kidnapped and force- As this was happening, the victims had already manding Police Division (OCPD) Superintendant Maendeleo ya Wanawake Tigania East the group as- fully made to face the knife. circumcised and hidden another woman in one of Charles Koskei said the suspects will be arraigned saulted four other women in the last one month. She The incident which took place in Athanja sub- the rooms. in court for propagating harmful cultural practices. called for a crackdown on other suspects. location in Muthara left the area in shock after one Kangai said the group made up of young and old He urged the community to intensify the campaign According to Ann Kaburo, a health worker, the of the women who was kidnapped went missing and women has been targeting married women whom against the vice. practice by the group has broken some families is believed to have been hidden after being mutilated they threaten with isolation if they do not undergo “The Constitution protects women against since they have been mutilating women without in Kaithe Village. circumcision. harmful cultural practices and we will not allow the knowledge of their husbands who in turn kick However, one of the women was rescued after “The group has turned to married women because anyone to violate the basic rights of women,” noted them out when they discover what has taken place. residents intervened and wrestled those holding we have sensitised the school girls against FGM. We Koskei. A survey by the Reject revealed that the vice has her. are now appealing to the Government to take stern He revealed that the police have gathered suffi- been going on for sometime and that an operation According to Evangeline Kangai an anti-FGM action against the perpetrators who are trying to re- cient evidence to prosecute the suspects and assured by the police in the area netted seven elderly sus- activist, the victim who managed to escape had been vive this vice in the region where it had earlier been the public that justice will be done at long last. pects who are believed to be behind the vice in the lured to enter a house after the women lied to her kicked out,” she said. Koskei said the arrest of a 23-year-old woman and region. 7 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 UN reinforces partnership with local women’s CSOs …By Rosemary Okello Chiwara noted that the UN Women plans to work with every stakeholder and whereas like any hen Letty Chiwara, the United other UN agency, whose primary goals is always Nations Chief of Africa Divi- focusing on governments, it will strengthen its sion was in Kenya recently for a partnership with the CSOs. consultative meeting of partners “The new entity plans to form a CSOs Advi- fromW Central Africa, she took the opportunity sory group at global and regional level to enhance to meet over 45 representatives of women’s civil their programmatic areas and also help in giving society organisations. Chiwara took the oppor- directions,” she explained. tunity to expound on the role of the new entity According to Chiwara, the UN Women’s two from a national point of view. She informed par- year strategic engagement which is focusing on ticipants present that since its formation, the UN women’s rights issues means that it will be open- Women has come up with thematic areas which ing space at policy and resource allocation levels. it will be working on within the next two years. “That is why within the thematic areas of eco- “The new entity plans to form a CSOs Advisory group at The thematic areas include among others eco- nomic empowerment, the UN Women will be global and regional level to enhance their programmatic nomic empowerment and enhancement of entre- looking not only at micro-level but also at macro- preneurship skills among women in Africa. It will level and these include policies in trade, budget areas and also help in giving directions.” also look at peace and security which is critical for and agriculture among other issues.” — Letty Chiwara the majority of women. The UN-women will fo- Chiwara explained that the UN Women plans cus its work in the area of HIV/Aids which forms to create a body of knowledge within Africa, Ke- thirds of the members of elective public bodies on gender based violence. a cross-cutting theme. nya included where it plans to enhance women’s shall be of the same gender.” “To this end the UN Women is already work- Since its establishment almost a year ago, the skills and knowledge to empower them to be- Spelling out how the UN Women Kenya ing with the Kenya Police Training Institute where entity has come up with 53 offices and out of these come leaders in their own right. This will include country office is going to work with the women’s they have already engendered their curriculum. 23 are in Africa. market information and how to access them; en- CSOs, Zebib Kavuma, Country programme man- They plan to borrow heavily from their work in suring that women have got information to de- ager said they are soon rolling out a holistic civic Rwanda where the police force is at the forefront Presence velop their own entrepreneurship strategy and education for women. “We will be working with in the fight against gender based violence,” notes “The UN-Women sees Africa forming the also working with commercial banks to ensure the various partners to ensure that women’s po- Oluoch-Olunya. bulk of its work and this translates into over 43 women get more capital. litical participation is enhanced during the sched- Since the Constitution of Kenya 2010 recog- per cent when it comes to regional presence,” ex- uled General Elections.” nises the devolved structure of governance, the UN plains Chiwara. Engagement The UN Women also plans to work with Women has also devolved their engagement and She explained that the offices are grouped as For Kenya, Chiwara sees the UN Women’s women CSO and other partners under the UWI- plans to work with the County governments and follows; 19 offices at country level with four offices strategic engagement coming at the right time. ANO Platform on issues around electoral violence all the women’s organisations in the rural areas. at sub-regional level. The country strategic plan focuses on political to come up with mechanism on how to prevent, “Our strategic engagement with the decentral- “This offers us an opportunity to engage with participation of women, ending violence against mitigate and ensure that the election monitoring ised governance will be critical,” explains Kavuma. regional bodies working in Africa,” she observed women as well as focusing of economic empow- also recognises violence against women either as Representative of the women’s organisations during the informal meeting. erment. voters or aspirants. present were happy that the UN Women’s work is According to Chiwara, Africa holds the key This comes against the backdrop of the Con- According to Simon Elise Oluoch-Olunya, now being felt at their level and relevant to major- to the success of the UN Women’s strategic plan stitution of Kenya 2010 which recognises gender Deputy Regional Representative of the UN Wom- ity of the poor women in whose name the Agency and the organisation, therefore, values very equality and which has entrenched the Affirma- en, although previously the work around gender was set up. “We are very happy with the new agen- much the partnership with the Kenyan women’s tive Action Principle which is spelt out under based violence was not based on the theory of cy and we now see how mama mboga (ordinary organisations. Article 81 (b) which states; “Not more than two- change, this time round it will inform their work woman in the village) will identify with it.” Women strategise as representative seat promises to be a bruising battle Continued from page 1 communities. drive them to power. Sakuye clan, Warjida, Meru, Digalu Matari, No- “Once elected, I will help improve the stan- Isiolo North Constituency is cosmopolitan nitu, Gabra, Somali, Samburu and Merus among head of the next General Elections. dards of education by supporting educational ini- area with more than 42 communities but the larger others who still prefer him for the position of the Tiyyah and Dullo served in the government as tiatives in the county,” reiterates Mworia. ones are Borana, Meru, Somali, Turkana and Sam- senator. Commissioners of Independent Electoral Bound- On the other hand, Galgalo hopes that she buru. Others are Kikuyu, Sakuye, Kamba, Luo and Isiolo had experienced a measure of peace aries Commission (IEBC) and Kenya National will consolidate votes among the larger Borana Embu. since 2003 after Kuti won the elections leading to Commission on Human Rights respectively while speaking communities in the County and bring on Isiolo North has 33,434 registered voters of expansion of the town. Investor confidence has Dida, Konso and Mworia have served in various board others to ensure that she captures the seat. while Isiolo South has 11,867 registered voters ac- been restored with the government’s commitment civil society organizations. Galgalo served as Principal of Isiolo Girls Sec- cording to figures availed during the referendum to elevate Isiolo airstrip into a fully operational air- Most of these women are angling themselves ondary School and later worked as a Commis- exercise for the new Constitution. port to serve the entire upper Eastern region. to key politicians in order to clinch victory in the sioner with the disbanded Interim Independent Isiolo County occupies an area of 35,565 km Previously Isiolo had only one banking insti- General Elections. Electoral Commission (IIEC) before she joined the square and boarders Marsabit, Meru and Samburu tution, the Consolidated Bank but owing to the Dida says she is banking on support from race for the county women representative. counties and has a population of 180,000 people. period of uninterrupted peace in the lasting years, Warjida, Karayu and Sakuye clans to win the seat. Galgalo and Dullo served as commissioners The residents heavily dependent on pastoral- four other banking institutions have come up. She says that her close ties with the communities and have helped youths in the county secure em- ism and subsistence farming along the Ewaso Ny- These include Equity Bank, K-Rep and a on the ground will give her an upper edge over her ployment besides highlighting the plight of people iro and seasonal rivers which is limited to central teachers’ SACCO. Barclays Bank that fled the competitors as majority are new comers. whose rights have been violated. division of the district. town during the skirmishes of the1990s and Dida reiterates that she has the experience in Many suspect that they are working together in Isiolo has four game reserves which serve as the Post-Bank are in the process of re-opening politics because her father was a one-time MP for order to clinch the votes and then one of them will major tourism earners for the region which has branches in the town. Isiolo South while her husband was also an MP for step down in favour of the other. also been earmarked for transformation into a Re- China Offshore Oil Corporation has also dis- Moyale and she will use every means possible to Konso who hails from Karayu clan has hit the sort City in the Vision 2030. covered gas in Merti Division of Isiolo District and emerge the winner. ground campaigning for the position and hopes to The County will soon have a modern slaugh- the country will soon join other gas producing re- But things may not be easy for her since politi- bag some votes. terhouse and the facility is expected to help herders gions. cal alliances may not have a sway on voters but on Already the aspirants have had a series of se- market and process their beef for export to other Three years ago the Minister for Energy Kirai- individual’s development track record. cret meetings with their clansmen and those eying parts of the country once fully operational. tu Murungi announced that the gas was viable for “Once elected, I will lobby for the waiving other political seats to survive in politics ahead of The construction of the proposed Isiolo Air- exploitation and that the product would support of interests charged on women and youth fund the 2012 General Elections. port to decongest Wilson Airport has officially Kenya economically. If we are to go by this, Isiolo to enable more people benefit from the same,” Some of the meetings failed to reach agree- commenced and the project is expected to be com- County would remain the richest in the region. notes Dida. ments with key politicians positioning themselves pleted in four months time. However, the government is yet to initiate Mworia says her agenda is to initiate pro- for the governors, senators and parliamentary seats Area MP Mohamed Kuti says President Kibaki more development projects including sinking bore grammes that seek to uplift the living standards of in the County. is expected to commission the projects of Abattoir holes, shallow wells and provision of drugs among the electorate and empower women politically so The meetings are usually done at grassroots and airport in June, this year, upon completion. other lacking facilities in the area. that they can be able to realise their goals and par- level during the electioneering period to pick on In Isiolo North and South, party politics do not Further, the government is yet to implement ticipate in decision making processes. candidates. dictate the voting patterns but tribal groupings and the second phase of water project in Isiolo town She intends to promote peace in the area and The position of Governor has attracted several individual influence play a great role in the politics. which has witnessed rapid expansion and high de- push for the reconciliation of warring communi- aspirants among them, Isiolo South MP Abdul Ba- As the scramble for 56,795 votes begins in mand for the commodity. ties in Isiolo County. hari Ali, Godana Doyo, Gollo Boru, Abdi Wario, earnest, we are likely to witness major political The district relies on water facilities initiated by “I am concerned with the spate of killings Doti Halake and Yussuf Dogo. realignments but the electorate will identify with colonialists despite the fact that the population has sparked by clan animosity in the area,” observes The position of Senator has attracted Livestock individuals driving it. tripled, resulting in acute water shortage. Mworia as she spoke during a peace walk she had Minister Dr Mohammed Kuti, former Isiolo North Party of National Unity (PNU) was still strong Isiolo is likely to face major challenges posed by sponsored in the area. MP Charfana Guyo Mokku and Mohamed Konso in the area after it captured all the parliamentary high population growth. The government ought to Mworia says she has helped secure sponsor- who is Chief Executive Officer at Kenya National seats and almost all civic wards in the last general move fast to address this. ship for at least 45 bright and needy children in Commission on Human Rights. elections followed by ODM and UDM. The political prospects of the Isiolo County the vast Isiolo County and hoped that this will In fact they are likely to come up with their Kuti, who won the seat in the last general cannot be predicted due to the cosmopolitan state help her secure votes across the board from all own alliances to find a new political vehicle to election enjoyed overwhelming support from his where all the tribes exist in the district. 8 Issue Number 26 • May 2012

A street in Mandera town. Women here have come up with proverbs that showed local meaning of conflict Women’s skill enhanced on managing resource based conflict …By Kenyan Woman and politically), making their inhabit- RBC took an approach of participa- munities from the watering point. cache of arms procured by the com- Correspondent ants prone to human rights violation tory learning and action approach “If it were not for the Government munities and women pastoralist were and poverty related vulnerabilities,” where the participants were taken on intervention after realising the conflict raped and gang raped by the military t’s Friday morning and a group noted Tsuma. real meaning of conflict, what cause has taken a regional angle, then we officials. of women peace builders from In addition border areas are not conflict, conflict players, conflict map- could have seen massive killing and a “I personally led group of women various villages in Mandera dis- well accessed by the Government and ping, factor that exacerbates conflicts, big conflict which could continue for to offer relief to women who were trict and their counterparts from non-governmental organisations’ ini- resource based conflict, conflict trans- years,” noted Mama Fatuma. raped by the military and the militia BeletI Hawa area of Somalia gathered tiatives because of the growing inse- formation, conflict prevention, peace “This is a normal occurrence in and the situation was worse, it was in a joint venue for community train- curity. enforcement, conflict transformation term of conflict in this border triangle one of major humanitarian crisis I ing on resource based conflict. and change. of Mandera and again this is the first have ever witnessed in the region. All The training which is of its kind Capacity time we have received such detail this trouble was caused by the fact that in the region brought together women “It is on the basis of this back- Skills training which addresses everything all communities established contacts and youth peace builders as well as el- ground that the RBC Regional Net- All stakeholders including wom- and others that we don’t know,” she with communities across the border ders from the Mandera of Kenya side work sought to engage in this area en peace builders were taken through observed. in search of support and arms against and the Belet Hawa side of Somalia through supporting its members to skills building that will empower them Another woman participant Na- their local rivals in the conflict,” Odh- that borders Mandera town. strengthen the capacities of peace in solving, mitigating, preventing and jma Odhwai narrated how commu- wai said. The border region known as Man- building and conflict prevention with- offering rapid responses to conflict in nities suffered during the Alungu To reinforce their argument on dera triangle is popularly known for its in the border area,” explained Tsuma. the Mandera triangle area. clashes that claimed hundreds of lives meaning of conflict the women partic- constant and internecine conflict that He further said that the RBC net- They were taken through methods in the contentious watering point. She ipants came up with Somali proverbs pits pastoralist communities over re- work has engaged in conflict map- of conflict resolution like mediation, said it started with one community at- that showed local meaning of conflict. source competition. There is also clan ping in the past and the communi- arbitration, negotiation, dialogue, law tacking the other after the government One of the Somali proverb says “labo rivalry that has claimed thousands of ties showed that there was need to enforcement and religious interven- through its drought relief programme marodi meeshay kudirirto cos kuma lives and contributed to huge humani- provide capacity building in resource tions. drilled a borehole in the area. bad baado (where two elephants fight tarian crisis that included massive dis- based conflict and peace building in The women peace builders stressed The borehole, she noted, triggered grass does not survive).” placement. the triangle. that the Mandera triangle is conflict the ownership row between the two However, women peace builders “So far, RBC’s partners in the Man- prone with constant conflict occurring clans in Mandera area. “One morn- took the initiative of mapping conflict Peace dera Triangle have engaged in joint and recurring between various com- ing a contingent of armed men from in the triangle and raising various fac- Training organiser from the Re- cross-border conflict mapping and munities and people. They stressed one community attacked the Alungu tors that influence and blow conflict gional Centre for Resource Based analysis to enhance the understanding that the conflict is fought by armed village from the Elwak side of Man- into large scale. They stated that small conflict (RBC) in conjunction with of border resource based conflicts in men from warring communities while dera and killed hundreds of innocent arms was the major problem as it its partners Wagalla Centre For Peace the Mandera Triangle,” Tsuma noted. women and children face attacks at vil- people before fleeing with livestock,” flows from the border areas of the tri- and Human Rights and SARDO came In addition to the mapping, gender lage levels. explained Odhwai. angle and thus used as tools of waging up with idea of training women peace focus group discussions have been held The women peace builders re- The attacked community re- bloody conflict. builders separately with other stake- in order to generate information and called recent armed conflict that pit- sponded by mobilising their armed holders so that each of the groups enhance understanding of the gender ted two communities in Mandera youths to revenge against the attack Arms could be free in airing their views dynamics in the Mandera Triangle. The district over the ownership of a wa- and they attacked various villages that The stakeholders confirmed that and absorb the training content while information will inform and shape the tering point in Alungu area of Man- is inhabited by the attackers. small arms are easily available in the sharing their experience and forging a gender policy for the Network and its dera East area that claimed many “The majority of people killed in triangle and further named various cross border network. members. lives from both sides. both attacks were women, children types of arms that included AK-47, According to William Tsuma, The objectives include analys- and elderly who were caught up in the multipurpose machine guns, anti air- RBC regional Coordinator the train- ing the link between resources based Arms attacks. Men too were killed in the at- craft dual gun, pistols, hand grenade ing will build capacities of various conflict and sustainable livelihood, The chairlady of the women peace tack that saw everybody coming with and light weapons. stakeholders on resource based con- understand the sources, causes and builders Mama Fatuma stressed that arms from Somalia. It was a big war They noted that the small arms flict and peace building in the conflict interplays of the interest within a the conflict between the two com- which made the government to inter- and light weapon has caused untold prone triangle that is shared by Kenya, given conflict, describe linkage be- munities over water point generated vene and carried out military opera- sufferings to the residents of the cross Ethiopia and Somalia. tween human and resource interac- into regional conflict as each commu- tion in the area,” said Odhwai. border towns in the Mandera triangle. Tsuma noted that border areas are tion, understand the trend of conflict nity approached their friendly cousins They concurred that the light breeding grounds for conflicts of all and how they manifest into violence along the Somalia side of the border Injury weapons has contributed to loss of kinds adding that people are exposed and to develop strategies for peaceful for strength and arms. She narrated that the conflict lives, property, destruction, loss of to ethnic disputes as well as political co-existence and encourage commu- She said that each community caused more problem to both com- virginity, used as tool of rape, trauma, and resource related conflicts. nities to live in harmony. procured large cache of arms from munities as military operation that depopulation, social degradation, “These areas are also marginalised The peace building training that friendly communities with view of followed left many innocent people poverty and loss of marriage as young in every sense (economically, socially was funded by Oxfam Novib through cleansing and driving their rival com- injured as they were beaten to produce men continued to be killed. 9 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Coming elections set to usher in real woman power …By Cyprose Asiago and Thompson) “what was decided can man and towards women in the male only takes us back to the as- game and that the woman would among the prehistoric Protozoa can- society and in politics or maybe the sumption that women biologically are not find it easy to take a stand in omen have slowly not be annulled by Act of Parliament”. woman has simply over time proven sluggish and uninterested in politics the game is a male thinking and and gracefully taken It would be inappropriate to grant that she is indeed worth and fit to and of which has been proven that farfetched. That which comes easily leadership and politi- women political rights, as they are stand in positions of power among they are interested and can manage withers easily and, therefore, I chal- cal roles that for many simply not suited to have those rights; the menfolk. I owe this rather slow politics. lenge women not to wait for nomi- Wyears were regarded as a male domain. it would also be futile since women, but welcome development. The only way this country will nations to parliament but fight for it Biological determinist Geddes and due to their biology would simply not It is great that the political arena have the assurance that leadership by just like the men and those women Thompson in 1889 argued that social, be interested in exercising their politi- has a number of women like Jael our women is indeed anything to go who have fought and won under psychological and behavioural traits cal rights. Mbogo, Grace Onyango (the first by is when women do not get these tough conditions. were caused by metabolic state. woman mayor and elected legislator), positions as handouts (nomination) I do not doubt the woman’s capa- Women supposedly conserve en- Moral Chelegat Mutai, Phoebe Asiyo, Char- but rather earn them through hard bility of leadership in politics or what- ergy (being ‘anabolic’) and this makes To counter this kind of biological ity Ngilu and Martha Karua, to men- work, competition and playing to the ever area of life, I just believe time them passive, conservative, sluggish, determinism, feminists have argued tion but a few. beats of the political game. has come for women to claim those stable and uninterested in politics. that behavioural and psychological These are women who took their parliamentary seats just like they have Men expend their surplus energy (be- differences have social, rather than bi- stand against male counterparts in Policies claimed every other right out there. ing ‘katabolic’) and this makes them ological causes. For instance, Simone elections and emerged winners. They It is high time women realised that It has been proven already that eager, energetic, passionate, variable de Beauvoir famously claimed that helped prove to the electorate that they the equality rights they have always today’s woman is very much capable and, thereby, interested in political one is not born, but rather becomes a were worth their votes hence disap- fought for must be put in practice. If of diligently carrying out her mana- and social matters. woman, and that “social discrimina- proving biological determinists, Ged- women are going to fight for gender gerial duties just as much as the man These biological ‘facts’ about met- tion produces in women moral and des and Thompson of social, physical equality then they have to learn that and, therefore, it’s time she grabbed abolic states were used not only to ex- intellectual effects so profound that and biological traits that women can- it comes with every aspect of life. that opportunity on her own than on plain behavioural differences between they appear to be caused by nature”. not be active in politics. Politics just as much, they will need a platter. women and men but also justify what Commonly observed behavioural The issue of third positions that to work much harder, get to the fields Sojourner Truth, through her pub- our social and political arrangements traits associated with women and has been given in the constitution and campaign, sell their policies to the lication, Ain’t I a Woman, addressed ought to be. men, then, are not caused by anatomy and set to be experienced in both the people and gather as many support- women’s rights issues and argued that More specifically, they were or chromosomes but are culturally political party nomination and at the ers as their male counterparts do. It if a woman of colour can perform used to argue for withholding from learned or acquired. parliamentary level has brought a lot is only when the people vote that it is tasks that were supposedly limited to women political rights accorded to This explanation could be a factor of controversy. clear they are ready for a female leader. men, then any woman of any colour men because (according to Geddes to the change of attitude in the Afri- By reserving the positions to fe- The excuse that politics is a dirty could perform those same tasks. Constitution offers a relief to land injustices …By KIGONDU NDAVANO

agarini residents are patiently wait- ing for the full implementation of the Constitution to seek redress in past injustices that saw them lose theirM ancestral land. The residents have for years watched help- lessly as genuine land owners have been ejected from their ancestral land or forced to accept mea- gre compensation to create room for commercial developments by Italian tycoons. Areas that have witnessed massive evictions include Mambrui and Ras Ngomeni after a gov- ernment initiated registration exercise along the shoreline culminated in the issuance of let- ters of offer to private developers. “The original map was altered to reflect that the beach and second row plots were private plots without an explanation from the government,” says Morris Mangi, chairman Adu Ranch, Magarini District. Mangi observes that it was as if somebody some- where had decided that the indigenous people of Magarini had no use for beach plots and hence they only needed third and fourth row areas. Land Mangi lost a large section of his land in 1981 during the adjudication of land covering beach plots in Magarini District. He says: “While the four acre beach plot was registered under my wife’s name during the exercise conducted by the Ministry of Land, I was shocked when the letter of allotment reflected that I only owned half an acre. The entire area covering the beach frontline had been hived off and classified as private land.” Mangi says the residents watched in disbelief as an Italian tycoon moved to the area shortly after being intimidated to levels where they are asked The land question in the coastal Kenya strip. Most original land owners are today landless the exercise and fenced off areas that had been re- to cooperate and sign compensation documents and can only pass through land that used to be theirs, courtesy of irregular allocation of large possessed by the government during the exercise. rather than wait to be forcefully evicted and left tracks of land to foreigners. The Italian has been disposing off sections of with nothing. the land to other Italian investors keen to build He says that some land transactions are fi- hotels and villas. nalised in Italy where Italian investors in Malindi Mangi reiterates that Magarini District and foreigners are barred from owning land in Kenya. exchange documents with new owners who are Coast people in general should not resort to ille- The Constitution is categorical that foreign Profits shown the parcels of land on sale through pho- gal means in attempts to recover illegally acquired investors should cooperate with the original land According to Mangi, the Italians are making tographs. land because the new constitution offers remedy. owners to offer them compensation equivalent to huge profits from the land grabbed from indig- An acre of land in the prime beach area in “I have confidence with the new constitution, the profits they have accrued over the years. enous people and sold to them for peanuts by Magarini according can fetch between KSh10 mil- land injustices visited on Kenyans since 1963 to According to Mangi, the procedure should cunning land officials who were driven by greed lion to KSh15 million, yet most original owners date will be dealt with,” he observes. be based on dialogue and mutual understanding to make quick money. are offered between KSh200,000 and KSh.350,000 “We should not pursue our land rights through between the different parties as outlined in the They realised that holding onto irregularly al- which has to be shared among family members. war, we should passionately wait for the full imple- constitution. located land could be short lived once the govern- However, Mangi is optimistic that with the mentation of the constitution because it will be a He proposes that Coast people should agree ment revokes those that were illegally acquired new Constitution such anomalies will be correct- saviour in the recovery of our lost land,” explains to enter into investment partnership with for- across the country. Mangi says that land owners ed and that aggrieved parties will be able to either Mangi. He suggests that foreign land owners also eigners or wealthy people instead of merely sell- have at times been forced to accept peanuts after reclaim their land or seek compensated. need to read the Constitution and understand that ing prime beach plots to them. 10 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 African women’s movements catches fire …By Monica Luwondo

estimonies from women across the social divide prove that women’s issues are similar. This assumption cameT to play in two separate move- ment building forums held in Arusha, Tanzania for grassroots women from pastoralists as well as hunter and gath- erer communities and in Entebbe, Uganda for professionals from West, East and Horn of Africa. Kijoolo Kakeeya, a Maasai vil- lager from Loliondo Piaya, Tanzania and Lina Zedriga, a Ugandan former magistrate and guest speaker in US and African universities are both wid- ows with extended family to fend for. They both matched to State House for a cause and have been jailed for their role in the women’s rights movement. Their action indicates that there is no social divide among women no mat- ter where they come from. “There is no divide between grass- roots and women in boardrooms, they endure same sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBVs),” says Zed- riga, quoting a Kenyan feminist. Zedriga’s political consciousness started when her husband, an opposi- tion politician disappeared in 2002, in circumstances that forced her to quit her job as magistrate. Jail She suffered in the hands of the Women in East Africa face similar sexual and gender based violence. It is such meetings that help them authorities including spending time counsel each other. in jail, before she settled for rural de- velopment and peace work through a non-government organisation. In her work, Zedriga targets rape, then flying into Juba to deliver a women was organized by PINGOS fo- rican countries reported takeover of ers. There should be no doubts where women affected by the civil war in peace torch to the Vice President. rum, a membership non-government huge chunks of land by investors from some people can say “we don’t want to Northern Uganda area of Gulu and The Juba talks were a series of ne- organisation promoting land rights Europe, America, the Middle East join such movement and mess up our Karamoja. gotiations between the government and livelihood of pastoralists as well and Asia in the name of Foreign Di- names!” On the other hand, Kakeeya’s jour- of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance as hunter and gatherer communities rect Investment (FDIs). Chigudu, a founder of Zimbabwe ney on fighting for women’s land rights Army rebel group over the terms of in Tanzania. From the Niger Delta state in Women Resource Centre says organ- started after the July 21, 2009 following a ceasefire and possible peace agree- Meanwhile, the Entebbe meeting Nigeria Grace Oshiet says pollution isations must dream, have an agenda, forceful evictions of Maasai from eight ment. The talks, held in Juba, the capi- brought together lawyers, journalists from oil wells operated by multina- be creative in designing projects to villages in Loliondo, an act that saw tal of autonomous Southern Sudan, and social workers working on gen- tional companies has forced commu- attract funding otherwise they won’t her and many more villagers lose their began in July 2006 and were mediated der aspect on forced migration from nities to destitution because the soil survive if it is business as usual. homes, livestock and food crops. by Riek Machar, Vice President of Senegal, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, cannot grow crops anymore. One of her main concerns is how The military police invaded and Southern Sudan. Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda Carolyn Kandusi from PINGOs organisations favour women with torched bomas (Maasai’s traditional The talks, which had resulted in a and Tanzania. Forum, says the ongoing evictions of money to sit on boards instead of en- houses) demanding that the pasto- ceasefire by September 2006, were de- It was organized by the Kampala pastoralists in the country to pave way gaging women with no history of suc- ralists leave to pave way for an Arab scribed as the best chance ever for a based international non-government for investors have impacted more on cess. investor on a hunting of wild animals negotiated settlement to the 20-year- organisation for African women, Aki- women. Chigudu is of the opinion that an business. old war. na Mama wa Afrika. It was against that background organisation needs structures, own- “I have gone through hell ever Zedriga went from being a mag- Leah Chatta Chipepa, a Zambian that the Arusha meeting of women ers and members of the governance since then but I am not retreating,” re- istrate to a war widow. However, she who believes in women movement for from pastoralists as well as hunter and board with the ability to determine iterates Kakeeya. refuses to be called a ‘victim’. “We are change sacrificed her well paying job gatherer communities from Mbulu, directions, raise funds and disciplines. She mobilised hundreds of wom- the stakeholders, nothing about us in an international institution to join Hanang, Longido, Loliondo, Kilosa, She says women should also learn en after the evictions, who marched without us,” she says. Akina Mama wa Afrika to mentor Mvomero, Same, Mwanga, Iringa and that in the movement people differ but to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi Zedriga served as programme young African women leaders. Bagamoyo was convened to assist they should capitalise the strengths party district headquarters to return advisor to Northern Uganda Peace “We need to stand up as women them form a network to address their of individuals. “Some are frontiers, their membership cards. Initiatives, where she designed the because liberation cannot stay for needs. cheer leaders or information gather- Women in Peace Building and Recon- long unless a number of women enjoy Forced evictions leaves women ers while others take care of other Groups ciliation programme, which included the privileges,” she says. with emotional trauma, increased people’s health,” notes Chigudu. “We divided ourselves in two bringing together 300 internally dis- Chipepa believes that in the wake family work load as they are left to All in all movement building re- groups and took different directions. placed women and other Northern of globalization of world economy, fend for children when men are out in mains to be an effective tool for mass My group managed to reach the des- Ugandans to advance peace in the financial crisis, climate change, Euro search of pastures, loss of livelihood organising for social change as it al- tination after a night long trekking region. zone crisis, occupy Wall Street in the and deleted pride. lows formation of an organised body down hills and bushes,” explains Ka- The brave acts of the two women US, occupy Sandton in South Africa, of people pursuing the same policy keeya. have obviously inspired others to start and the recent Nigeria fuel occupy NGOs agenda. The other group was stopped by questioning deep structures in the there is no time to interrogate but to What should be done to build a The good part of the movement police on their way. community skewed in favour of mi- engage. strong African women movement? is the fact that there is sharing of in- Kakeeya was not satisfied by the nority or interrogating issues affecting “The world is interlinked and in- Hope Chigudu, a Zimbabwean formation, resources and expertise as administration’s intervention on their the nation such as corruption. terrelated. Women need to be con- who has helped build some reputable well as advocacy strategies that make case and so she participated in many “When situations squeeze you, cerned on world events because any- women’s non-government organ- it difficult for authorities to label an other protest marches later that year sometimes it is the creative juices that how they are the most affected,” she isations in Zimbabwe, Uganda and individual person or organisation. that went as far as the State House in come out… you sometimes jump hit says. Tanzania as part of her dedication to Dar es Salaam, Parliament and Minis- the sailing and wonder how you man- African women’s movement building, Treaties try of Tourism. aged such a heroic act?” she says with Land cautions women against patriarchy. No matter how strong the local Kakeeya was subjected to long po- a giggle. “Already we are witnessing scram- “I lost friends in the women’s movement is use of treaties and other lice interrogations while Zedriga has Both meetings aim at forming ble for Africa’s land and water re- movement,” Chigudu admits add- international instruments should not spent nights in Ugandan jails several women networks. The Arusha meet- sources,” notes Chipepa. ing that it brought her psychological, be ignored. This is according to Mar- times after her husband’s disappear- ing of Hadzabe, Barbaig and Maasai Participants from all the eight Af- emotional and physical pain. ren Akatsa Bukachi from EASSI who ance. “Yes it is okay to differ but patriar- says: “More often than not we ignore Zedriga’s milestone was her par- “We need to stand up as women because chy makes women to fight,” she says treaties and so we missed chances of ticipation in the Juba Peace talks in further advising that women should placing our issues to international which she spearheaded a media and liberation cannot stay for long unless a number work around those differences not women’s agenda.” grassroots campaign to get even one of women enjoy the privileges.” kicking each other out. Instruments that are worthy of ap- woman into the negotiations, leading Peace and cooperation in the plying include CEDAW, Beijing Plat- a four-day march into areas of war and — Leah Chatta Chipepa movement will attract more support- form for Action and Maputo Protocol. 11 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 President Joyce Banda says the time is now! …By Daud Kayisi nised Banda as the third most powerful and measures that will enable women female politician in Africa after John- and girls to enjoy their rights. n an interview with an Aljazeera son-Sirleaf and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweal, Malawi is still battling with cultural news anchor, the newly sworn- Nigeria’s Minister of Finance. practices, policies and constitutional in Republic of Malawi President, Banda has worked tirelessly to em- and customary laws that contribute Joyce Banda said “my election (in power women economically in Malawi. to the violation of women’s and girl’s 2009)I as the vice president and Ellen Upon her divorce from an abusive mar- rights. If not amended, these conflict- Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberian president) riage in the 80s, Banda founded the Na- ing laws will impact on the attainment shows that Africans have grown in de- tional Association of Business Women of the 2015 targets of the SADC Gender mocracy [and] they have confidence in (NABW) in 1990, a financial lending Protocol. both women and men in leading them. institution that aims to economically Banda’s first major assignment Africans have decided that the time is empower rural women. I personally will be in July this year, when African now that women can also participate in benefited from NABW as my mother Union (AU) delegates will gather in leadership.” borrowed her first small business loan Malawi for the AU summit and elec- Banda has become the first female from the association in the mid-1990s. tion of the new chair following the last president in the region (Southern Af- polls that ended in a deadlock. Nko- rica) after the death of President Bingu Hunger sazana Dlamini Zuma, South Africa’s wa Mutharika and the second in Africa She is also behind the initiatives Home Affairs Minister will stand again after Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia. such as Young Women Leaders Net- for AU commission chair after stop- “Africans have decided that the time is now that The former deputy president replaces work and Malawi Hunger Project both ping Jean Ping to a second term of of- women can also participate in leadership.” (and had clashed badly) with her pre- of which have benefitted millions of fice in the previous elections. She will, decessor who had vowed never to re- Malawians. In 1997, Hunger Project, therefore, have to assert her power and — Joyce Banda, Malawi President linquish power before experiencing a a US based NGO awarded Banda the ensure that African leaders support the heart attack. Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sus- appointment of Dlamini-Zuma. in difficult circumstances, a thing that cies. Within political parties, women tainable End of Hunger alongside Joa- points to the fact that they can do much should be voted for the top jobs which Hope quim Chissano, former Mozambican Ability better if given full support. lead to election for top government Her appointment brings a wave president. She used the prize money In addition, the recognisable work Banda has to now prove to the re- posts. of hope to Malawi and is one way in to fund the establishment of the Joyce being done by Banda, Sirleaf — the gion that the time for female leaders in Banda should be an inspiration to which the region is moving towards Banda Foundation for Children, a Nobel laureate — and Ngozi Okonjo- Africa is now. She can create a specific many women who are vying for elec- the attainment of 50-50 representation charitable foundation that assists vul- Iweal, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance niche on inclusive governance not only tions. There is no doubt that the face of women and men in politics and de- nerable children and orphans through (currently vying for World Bank’s in Malawi but the whole of Africa. Her of politics in Africa is changing for the cision making by 2015. This is in line education in Malawi. presidency) demonstrates that leader- elevation to power is therefore not just better. While the women’s movement with the provisions of the 2008 SADC President Banda has steered nu- ship has nothing to do with sex but a herstory in the making, but the eman- is advocating for 50-50 representation Protocol on Gender and Development. merous women’s rights initiatives in person’s ability to deliver. This brings in cipation of women in Malawi and by 2015, the time for female leaders in As a journalist and a gender activ- Malawi. As Minister of Gender, Child a new definition of politics, a space that Southern Africa. Southern Africa is now! ist, I have known President Banda as a Welfare and Community Services, has largely been dominated by men. Daud Kayisi, a Malawian, is the politician who has the welfare of people Banda fought that the Domestic Vio- The work being done by women Women Gender and Media Diversity Centre at heart. She has always emphasised the lence Bill be passed into law. Parliament leaders proves that putting women in I hope that neighbouring countries Programme Officer at Gender Links. need for deliberate policies to challenge enacted the law, after it had previously leadership positions is not only demo- in the region and Africa as a whole will This article is part of the Gender the patriarchal values still embedded in failed to for seven years. I am, therefore, cratically correct but it is the right thing begin to entrust power in the hands of Links Opinion and Commentary Malawi and in Southern Africa. confident that Banda will use her posi- to do. Women have shown that they are women. Political parties should start Service, bringing you fresh views on In 2011, Forbes Magazine recog- tion to influence gender aware policies capable of delivering positive results fielding women in winning constituen- everyday news. Fish farming opens door for women enterprises …By Miller Omega has left the management of the pond to her. “When we had the first harvest and the soci- ish farming in Nyanza Province, a cul- ety around saw how big the catch was compared turally preserve for men, has opened to the ones from the lake coupled with the in- doors for women entrepreneurs. come it generated, there was a remarkable change Prior to starting of the fish farming of attitude towards us,” Atieno observes, adding it throughF the Economic Stimulus Programme was a move which increased their members from (ESP), women fish mongers were only allowed the initial six to the current number. to get their stock from men, the only ones al- KSh and her group members are among lowed to venture into the lake. Most often, they farmers in 31 constituencies in Nyanza who are forced to trade sex for fish which is blamed are producing over 100,000 metric tonnes of for the high HIV/Aids prevalence rate. stock worth KSh140 million which translates to Equally there was fear that with the region’s KSh530 million the Government got from ponds proximity to Lake Victoria which produces in the last financial year, according to the minis- about 60 per cent of stock in the country, the try figures. venture would flop. However, the venture “Last term I entirely paid fees for my chil- launched by Ministry of Fisheries Development dren, money from my three ponds which gave Above, a fish farm, middle, a man has been a success, thanks to women’s groups me KSh16,000 each after partial harvesting. This in the area. saved us as my husband’s sugarcane money de- holding fish from the farm and layed as Sony Sugar Company didn’t harvest the below, people enjoying a meal of Initiative cane on time,” says Malin Likowa, a two years old fish. One such group is the 52 member Ngege fish farmer. Picture: Miller Omega Women Group in Migori County who took the Fish farming has a higher return as fish is venture in the earlier stage. The members, whose not prone to disease like other farm animals and name means tilapia in Dholuo, have ponds. unlike crops their survival is not limited by poor the surge from going to waste by produc- “Prior to the coming of the ponds women weather condition as a farmer who started with ing five tonne of ice for preservation. had been locked out completely from fishing and 1,000 fingerlings is assured of the same number “Fish farming has opened new av- were stigmatised when they started. However, at harvesting. enues of production which will surely after our husbands and the society saw the finan- outpace production from lakes in the cial benefit they have been receptive,” says Dori- Ponds region and the country at large and in na Atieno, a member of the group while feeding “In Migori County, the government start- Nyanza apart from catch from the lake, fish in her three ponds. ed with 1,065 farmers especially from women ponds are a major boost and women are Atieno started with one pond three years groups by building 1,244 fish ponds through opening major avenues in the game” ago after getting approval from her husband and the ESP. This success is mostly attributed to the Munguti says. the benefit from the pond which earns a farmer women groups,” explains Simon Munguti, Migo- When the effort begun in Nyanza, KSh30,000 to KSh70,000 for 300 square metres ri County fisheries officer. Munguti says they didn’t have women of land used has seen her build four more ponds. The groups have been instrumental in in mind and started by sensitising the “After my husband built the pond I literally building additional 1,500 ponds which is pro- community to view fish from the pond take care of the fish like one will do to livestock ducing 2,000 metric tonnes annually from the as the same quality with ones from the and keep away the taboo of going to the lake to ponds alone. lake under ‘Kula-Kuza-Uza’ initiative. fish, Atieno explains. She adds: “During the ac- According to Awino said that this success “However, the women have given the tual harvesting I employ workers like any other made them approach the government which has fish farming a new breathe as they are farm hand.” agreed to build a Ksh 50 million fish processing adapt at forming groups and taking de- Atieno’s husband who works in Kisii town plant at Rongo district in the County to preserve velopment loans” he says. 12 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 More needs Women invent survival to be done to cushion tactics in semi arid Mwingi Kenyan women from inflation …By Karani Kelvin

n a country where a vast majority of people survive on less than a dollar a day, an inflation rate of about 17 per cent worsens the situation in ways Ithat only the poor know too well. The weakening of the shilling against the dollar has resulted in increased fuel prices which has in turn translated to in- creased commodities’ prices. Inflation can be loosely translated to mean the increase in prices of commodi- ties or services over a period of time. It means then that the unit value of money reduces and people need more money to buy the same goods or services. Inflation is linked directly to the cost of living. An increase in the rate of infla- tion always means an increase in the cost of living. A high cost of living is seen in high cost of goods and services vis-a-vis reduced purchasing power of the people. Inflation While all Kenyans are suffering great- ly under inflation, it’s the Kenyan wom- en who perhaps suffer most. Given that women are on average poorer than men, …By JANE MUTUA it goes without say that they, more than support from the government the men, are the ones who struggle most sponsored National Agriculture nspired by the drive to become self reliant, and Livestock Extension Pro- under the yoke of inflation. a group of women have embarked on an gramme (NALEP). The prices of essential commodities initiative that has helped to transform their “Through NALEP, the wom- like sugar and maize flour have almost livelihoods and increase their earnings. en have been sensitised on how doubled and many families are learning The group first began by growing drought to grow drought resistant crops to do without them. The prices of non-es- I resistant crops such as sorghum, millet and such as sorghums among others sential commodities are also high thereby sunflower before they invested in value addi- including other income gener- worsening the situation. The problem is tion. ating activities,’’ explains Mom- not that there is no money, it’s that the They now bake bread, snacks and chapattis boko. value of the money has greatly reduced. using the traditional crops. They have estab- Women especially from the rural ar- lished a niche in the market through their trade Market eas and those living in informal settle- name “Enziu Commercial Bakers”. She adds: “With more do- ments are realising by the day that they According to Mwikali Momboko, the group’s nors and well wishers, we be- are selling less and less of their farm pro- chairlady, the membership currently at 30 has lieve we can do much and be duce and goods. Those engaged in other been able to educate their children and fend for able to reach regional market.” businesses are also registering a decline their families. NALEP has donated a po- in their sales as the purchasing power de- The women are also engaged in traditional sho mill that facilitates in the preciates. basketry, mats and ropes which are sold within production of flour from their Weighed down by the responsibilities the district. cereals much faster as opposed of taking care of their families, Kenyan to the popular traditional ways women are finding creative ways of tack- Revenue of grinding flour. Women with traditional baskets. A woman grinding sorghum ling the situation. Some have opted to cut “We are able to generate revenue, just in the “However, the posho mill flour using traditional method. down on their expenses while others are same way as our counterparts in offices,” ob- is currently not operational be- finding other sources of income. serves Momboko. cause we have not yet been able they spent a lot of money in controlling pesti- Although the government through The group has helped to demystify the tradi- to identify a safe place to operate the mill,” ex- cides in their farms. the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has tionally held notion that women are basically de- plains Momboko. ‘‘In the previous rainy season, we registered come up with measures to curb the down- pendent on their spouses for survival. In an interview with the Kenyan Woman, poor harvest following an attack by stalk bor- The women have also been able to attract ward spiral of the shilling, more needs to Momboko said they have suffered a setback as ers,” she adds. be done to blunt the effects of inflation. There is need to do more to save people from the adverse effects of high cost of living. Savings group loans keeps single mother afloat Since essential commodities like sug- …By Thomas Bwire ar, maize and cooking oil are at the heart will negotiate and agree on what is affordable for of KSh2,000. I was expected to repay back by you,” she notes. contributing KSh200 every Wednesday, and that of every Kenyan, the government must rom her stall, she sells different items A mother of six children, Okello, 39, joined worked for me,” Okello explains. come out strongly to regulate the prices of ranging from school bags, scarves and Kibera Agenda Four Business Savings Group From there on she has never looked back. such commodities. It is unfortunate that women’s handbags among other items. two and a half years ago. Her move was driven After repaying the first loan, Okello applied for while Kenyans, and women especially She has managed to attract a large by her desire to start a business of her own 18 KSh5,000 of which she repayed with KSh500 per given that they are the ones taking care clienteleF and this even disrupts my interview years ago. week. Her last loan was KSh10,000. of families, are struggling to make ends with her forcing me to take photographs at her She had her personal savings that had accu- According to Okello, business is not that meet and make sense out of the whole stall and the neighbouring stalls. mulated for over a period of three months when bad, and on a normal day she makes KSh1,500, situation, politicians and government of- Meet the self made business woman, Colo- she worked as a cleaner in one of the organisa- but when business is low she may manage ficials are paying lip service to the matter. nia Awino Okello, one of the active members of tions in town. KSh500. Let politicians and government of- Kibera Agenda Four Business Savings Group. After she left the cleaning job, her passion “One challenging factor is that, some cus- ficials know that talking about the high I watch as she attends to her customers. A drove her to start a green grocery business where tomers always want to buy items on credit and cost of living means little to the people, male buyer had wanted to purchase one of the she sold vegetables at Toi market, in Kibera for in the end fail to pay,” she says. if anything. It does not also help to shift hats and in this case, several samples were given five years. Later on she moved to selling teddy The single mother has lived in Kibera for blame from person to person — that out to him for comparison. bears, caps, bags and school uniforms. the last 20 years and besides taking care of her won’t do either. “The prices range between KSh80 to KSh100. “I heard of the group through a friend two six children, she also cares for five other or- You just need to choose what you want and we and a half years ago and received my first loan phans. 13 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Can female genital mutilation be delinked from religion? …By Carolyne Oyugi nya and other adjacent regions, FGM has been on the rise again, despite ongs have been composed, initial results showing that the vice campaigns launched and had dropped,” said Sheikh Ibrahim leaders condemned the vice Lethome, Mothers’ Lap Foundation but much still needs to be Legal advisor. doneS to stop the very dangerous and Among the Kikuyu community, deep rooted culture of Female Geni- FGM prevalence is 33 per cent. The tal Mutilation (FGM). survey further notes that despite po- As advocates heighten efforts to litical good will among the Kalenjin curb the practice, perpetrators of the to stump out FGM, it is still practiced heinous act are changing tactics and with a prevalence of 49 per cent, the finding ways of carrying on with this rate among the Meru and Embu stands act away from the public eye. at 43 per cent and 41 per cent respec- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is outlawed in Kenya and viewed as a form of violence and Though the culture has been tively. The prevalence rate among the discrimination. Many organisations have stepped up its eradication. abandoned in some communities, Kamba has remained relatively low at a research done by a local non-gov- 27 per cent. ernmental organisation Mothers’ Lap Recalling her experience, Manzoor Foundation (MLF) titled Delinking Is- sheds tears as she narrates how a young to enhance women’s ritual cleanliness United Nations agencies and non- In early 2003, WADI, a German- lam from FGM, reveals that this prob- girl she was trying to rescue bled to to enable them to pray. governmental organizations (NGOs) Austrian NGO focusing on women’s lem needs a holistic approach for it to death in her arms. The practice, prevalent in some fighting for human rights for almost issues, started to work with mobile be tackled. “It was a horrible experience, how Muslim countries, has grave conse- three decades. As early as 1952, the teams to take medical aid and so- for Allah’s case can one do such a de- quences as many girls bleed to death United Nations Commission on Hu- cial support to women in peripheral Beliefs humanising thing to a young girl like or die of infection. Most are trauma- man Rights adopted a resolution con- Kurdish areas such as in the Garmian The survey paints a grim picture that? This completely defeats logic,” tised. Those who survive can suffer demning the practice. International region of Iraqi Kurdistan. After more in the fight against FGM. The organ- Manzoor argues. adverse health effects during mar- momentum against the practice built than a year of working in the area, isation’s survey strongly links religious International Human Right activ- riage and pregnancy. New informa- when, in 1958, the Economic and So- women began to speak about FGM. beliefs in the Somali community and ist, Ansar Burney, who is visiting Ke- tion from Iraqi Kurdistan raises the cial Council invited the World Health Midwives often perform the opera- cultural practices among the Gusii nya, Somalia and Ethiopia, challenged possibility that the problem is more Organisation to study the persistence tion with unsterilized instruments and Maasai community to the current the media to strongly voice out for prevalent in the Middle East than pre- of customs subjecting girls to ritual or even broken glass and without an- prevalence rate. the helpless girls faced with FGM and viously believed and that FGM is far operations. aesthesia on girls four to 12 years old. The survey indicates that FGM forced marriages. more tied to religion than many West- The extent of mutilation depends on is still embraced in the three com- ern academics and activists admit. Practice the experience of the midwife and the munities with a prevalence rate of 90 Rite However, at the village level, those Nearly half of the FGM cases rep- luck for the girl. The wound is then per cent. “We need to create awareness, who commit the practice regard it as resented in official statistics occur in treated with ash or mud with the girls According to Mothers’ Lap Foun- positively sensitise communities that a religious ritual. Religion is not only Egypt and Ethiopia; Sudan also re- then forced to sit in a bucket of iced dation’s Executive Director, Faraha practice it. This can only be done theology but also practice and the cords high prevalence of the practice. water. Many Kurdish girls die, and Manzoor, the practice is condemned best by media through conveying the practice is widespread throughout the Egypt is part of the African continent others suffer chronic pain, infection, globally and proscribed in Kenya. It is right information. I urge the Kenyan Middle East. but, from a cultural, historical, and po- and infertility. viewed as a form of violence and dis- media to fight for the rights of the litical perspective, Egypt has closer ties crimination against girls and women. girl child because FGM is a human Diplomats to the Arab Middle East than to sub- Tradition It has serious physical and psychoso- rights violation that is killing girls,” Many diplomats, international or- Saharan Africa. When asked why they subject cial consequences and adversely affects observes Burney. ganisation workers, and Arabists argue In 1995, after President Hosni their daughters to the operation, many victims. The three main reasons cited for that the problem is localised to North Mubarak announced his intention to women respond “it has always been The findings illuminate that 97 per the practice of FGM in Somali com- Africa or sub-Saharan Africa, but ac- ban the practice, he was persuaded to like that”. Because the clitoris is consid- cent of the Muslims in North Eastern munity were that it is a Somali tradi- cording to Thomas von der Osten- drop prohibitive legislation. The move ered to be “dirty” (haram, the connota- Kenya practice FGM as a religious and tion, that it is an Islamic requirement, Sacken and Thomas Uwer of Middle to ban FGM had been supported by tion is forbidden by religion), women cultural rite. The study puts the Gusii and that it enforces the cultural value East Quarterly they are wrong. Dr. Mohammed Syed Tantawi, the fear that they cannot find husbands for second at 96 per cent after North East- of sexual purity in females by control- The problem is pervasive through- Mufti of Egypt, but has been fiercely their daughters if they have not been ern Kenya, followed by Maasai at 94 ling their sexual desires, thereby ensur- out the Levant, the Fertile Crescent, opposed by the Sheikh of Al Azhar mutilated; many believe men prefer per cent and Taita at 62 per cent. ing virginity before marriage and fidel- and the Arabian Peninsula, and among University, the largest Sunni theologi- sex with a mutilated wife. Others stress Despite sensitisation against the ity throughout a woman’s life. many immigrants to the West from cal college. Even a gynaecologist from the religious necessity of FGM even vice, the survey indicates that FGM is The study shows that there is a fear these countries. Cairo University, Dr Munir Fawzi, though Islamic law is unclear with re- practiced in most of the 47 Counties of women “running wild” and becom- “Silence on the issue is less reflec- stated: “Female circumcision is en- gard to FGM statement about whether in the country with Central Kenya re- ing promiscuous if they are not cir- tive of the absence of the problem than trenched in Islamic life and teaching.” FGM is a good practice; rather, they cording a steady rise after recording a cumcised and infibulated. FGM is er- insufficient freedom for feminists and However, FGM was banned in refer to FGM as a female practice in drop a few years back. roneously seen as a way of complying independent civil society to raise the general in Egypt in 1996, but was al- which men should not interfere. None “Due to sustained Mungiki (out- with the Islamic requirement of chas- issue,” Uwer says. lowed in some circumstances if carried of the men said he had ever discussed lawed sect) activities in central Ke- tity and morality, and is also believed FGM has been a top priority for out by a doctor. the question with his wife. Married women forced into genital mutilation …By Kirimi Murithi lied to her that they were holding a meeting. women on how to carry out FGM which threat- there has been training for younger women to “When she entered the house she was or- ens to advance the practice into the future. take up the circumcising role. hock has gripped Tigania East Con- dered to undress. She screamed and neighbours While confirming the arrest, area Officer According to Susan Munya, chairperson stituency of Meru County after mar- came to her rescue,” explained Kangai. Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Super- of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Tigania East the ried women opposed to Female Genital As this was happening, the victims had al- intendant Charles Koskei said the suspects will group assaulted four other women in the last Mutilation were kidnapped and force- ready circumcised and hidden another woman be arraigned in court for propagating harmful one month. She called for a crackdown on other fullyS made to face the knife. in one of the rooms. cultural practices. He urged the community to suspects. The incident which took place in Athanja Kangai said the group made up of young and intensify the campaign against the vice. According to Ann Kaburo, a health work- sub-location in Muthara left the area in shock af- old women has been targeting married women “The Constitution protects women against er, the practice by the group has broken some ter one of the women who was kidnapped went whom they threaten with isolation if they do not harmful cultural practices and we will not al- families since they have been mutilating women missing and is believed to have been hidden after undergo circumcision. low anyone to violate the basic rights of women,” without the knowledge of their husbands who in being mutilated in Kaithe Village. “The group has turned to married women noted Koskei. turn kick them out when they discover what has However, one of the women was rescued af- because we have sensitised the school girls against He revealed that the police have gathered taken place. ter residents intervened and wrestled those hold- FGM. We are now appealing to the Government sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects A survey by The Reject revealed that the vice ing her. to take stern action against the perpetrators who and assured the public that justice will be done has been going on for sometime and that an op- According to Evangeline Kangai an anti- are trying to revive this vice in the region where it at long last. eration by the police in the area netted seven el- FGM activist, the victim who managed to escape had earlier been kicked out,” she said. Koskei said the arrest of a 23-year-old wom- derly suspects who are believed to be behind the had been lured to enter a house after the women She said the group has been training younger an and an elderly circumciser is evidence that vice in the region. 14 Issue Number 26 • May 2012

Participants at a climate change workshop Calls for gender equality in managing Climate Change …By Henry Owino of women due to climate change in the velopment,” she observed. mate change,” noted Kibe. issue. country and what the impact change Effects of climate change will vary Most participants at the meeting The agreed conclusions on envi- he issue of climate change has on food security, pastoralism, pov- among regions and between different observed that the decision making ronmental management and miti- has become a concern to erty and conflicts between communi- generations, income groups and oc- role is still largely dominated by men gation of natural disasters adopted many not only scientists, ties and families. cupations as well as between women who still control access to social and by the commission called for action environmentalists, health KCJWC National Coordinator, and men but something need to be physical resources which, accord- to mainstream a gender perspective workers,T researchers but now to ordi- Kenyan chapter Cecilia Kibe said that done to avert it. ing to Kibe, is a deliberate scheme into ongoing research on the impacts nary Kenyans especially women who while the impacts of climate change According to Kibe, climate to exclude grassroots women in the and causes of climate change, and to are feeling the effects brought about by vary between and within countries, change affects the water, fuel wood important debate on climate change. encourage the application of results the ever changing climate condition. societies, communities and individu- energy and these greatly endanger She urged the government to cre- of the research in policies and pro- Human activity, especially relat- als, women are however the most women’s lives in all communities ate room for qualitative and quanti- grammes. ing to their action towards the deple- vulnerable. especially women in rural areas in tative representation of women and The participants drew attention tion of the ozone layer, and such like developing countries most of who other marginalised groups such as to the fact that climate change is is also an important factor. Gender depend highly on local natural re- grassroots, technical and elite at all not a gender neutral phenomenon, Kenyan women leaders from “Despite existing evidence of the sources for their livelihood. discussions on the environment, cli- stressing that it has a direct impact various towns drawn from all the 47 impact of climate change on women, She said because of women’s re- mate change and sustainable devel- on women’s lives due to their domes- counties in Kenya converged in Nai- the gender aspects in government sponsibility to secure water, food, opment discussions. tic work and makes their everyday robi hotel for two a two day work- policies are still wanting,” noted and energy fuel for cooking and The KCJWC group called upon the sustenance even more difficult. shop to discuss the impact on climate Kibe. She added: “It is high time heating, most communities are yet government to consult regularly with The Commission even proposed change in the lives of women brought women realise the impact of climate to fully grasp the magnitude of cli- grassroots women of different constitu- for efforts on financing for gender by the ever changing weather pattern. change and mitigate it.” mate change, as the magnitude of encies in environmental and climate equality and the empowerment of Kibe reiterated that the threat of exclusion is greater in women. change discussion for evidence before women, especially referring to the Action climate change is manifested in the “The effects of climate change, statements, policies and national posi- impact of climate change on women The initiative is being coordi- increase of extreme weather condi- including drought, uncertain rain- tions are taken over the issues. and girls. nated by the Kenya Climate Justice tions such as droughts, storms or fall and deforestation, make it harder Furthermore, it called on gov- Women Champions (KCJWC) and floods that has been recognized as a to secure these resources. By com- Impacts ernments to integrate a gender per- sponsored by CARE-Kenya, Practi- global priority issue. parison with men in poor countries, spective into the design, implemen- cal Action and Oxfam International. “Climate change is a sustainable women face historical disadvantages, Previously, in 2002 during the tation, monitoring, evaluation and The participants shared their development challenge, with broad which include limited access to de- Commission on Status of Women reporting of national environmental own experiences and those from impacts not only on the environment cision making and economic assets meeting at the 46th session, climate policies to strengthen mechanisms within their localities to inform and but also on economic and social de- that compound the challenges of cli- change was considered an emerging and to provide adequate resources to educate each other of what actually is ensure women’s full and equal par- happening to other women farmers, ticipation in decision making. children, environment, water tow- “The effects of climate change, including drought, uncertain rainfall and The workshop that brought 60 ers, rain fall among other impacts of women from all the Kenya’s Counties climate change so that to forge way deforestation, make it harder to secure these resources. By comparison came at a time of heightened activi- forward. with men in poor countries, women face historical disadvantages, which ties geared towards building the mo- The major issues that came out mentum to the sustainable develop- clearly and drew many discussions in- include limited access to decision making and economic assets that ment conference for Rio de Janeiro, cluded the marginalisation of women compound the challenges of climate change.” Brazil scheduled to be held in June in climate change discussions both at this year. national and global level, vulnerability — Cecilia Kibe 15 Issue Number 26 • May 2012 Climate funding needs gender equity …By Rousbeh Legatis

ender considerations remain largely dis- regarded in existing climate funds, even thoughG women are some of the hardest hit by the impacts of cli- mate change on livelihoods and agriculture. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), which would receive a por- tion of the $100 billion a year ex- pected from rich nations by 2020, could prove to be “important way to put equity back into the multi- lateral response to climate change”, says Liane Schalatek, Associ- ate Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in North America. However, she noted, most climate financing — whether channelled through funds, governmental spending programmes or bilateral and multilateral agencies to reduce emissions and to help societies to deal with the adverse effects of climate change — lacks gender re- sponsiveness. Funds Together with the Oversees Development Institute, the Hein- rich Böll Foundation monitors the 25 most important climate funds (Climate Funds Update), track- ing down who pledges what, how much donors have disbursed, and to where climate financing flows. A participant in the 56th ses- sion of the Commission on the Sta- tus of Women (CSW) held in New York from February 27 through March 9, Schalatek spoke with IPS UN Correspondent Rousbeh Le- gatis about taking stock of climate financing through a gender lens. Excerpts from the interview A woman arriving home after collecting firewood. Women’s interaction with environment need to be recognised. follow.

Question: Looking at existing dedicated climate funds, you However, putting some provisions retro- the extreme weather variability and long-term der-inclusive stakeholder participation guide- found gender considerations to be an “after- actively into funding mechanisms is not the weather pattern changes brought on by climate lines. The outlook is not too bad: The level of thought” instead of being systematically ad- same as designing them in a way that is focus- change — women and girls are often likely to awareness of governments, both of contribut- dressed. Could you explain that further? ing on improving gender equality in recipient receive less food because of gender-based dis- ing and recipient countries, on the relevance Liane Schalatek: Several of the existing cli- countries as an important and expected co- tribution dynamics within households. of gender considerations to address climate mate funds, for example the Least Developed benefit of funding climate actions. To be effective, adaptation policies and change, has increased. It is today far greater Countries Fund (LDCF) or the Special Cli- A climate fund designed this way would funding for adaptation projects and pro- than just a few years back when many of the mate Change Fund (SCCF), both dealing with include gender equality as one of the goals of grammes in agriculture in Africa need to con- other funds became first active. International adaptation and administered by the Global its actions; would strive for gender-balance sider the gender dynamics of food procure- organisations such as United Nations Devel- Environment Facility (GEF), have been in ex- on its governing bodies; make sure that there ment and distribution both within households opment Programme (UNDP), United Nations istence for more than 10 years. is gender-expertise among its staff to evalu- and markets. Environment Programme (UNEP) or multi- ate proposals for their contribution to gender For example, they should target rural lateral development banks as implementing Exotic equality; write operational and funding guide- women in Africa specifically with capacity- agencies of many climate funds have become Others, such as the Climate Investment lines that stipulate the inclusion of gender building, consultation outreach, technical as- better in supporting governments in writing Funds at the World Bank or the Kyoto Pro- indicators and gender analysis in any project sistance and tailored agricultural extension more gender-aware funding proposals and in- tocol Adaptation Fund, have only operated proposal; and monitor for gender equality co- services. Without a gender-sensitive lens, cli- vestment plans. since 2008-2009. At the time of their opera- benefits as part of a results framework. mate financing instruments delivering adap- Lastly, civil society groups, which have tionalisation, the discussion about gender and So far, no existing climate fund has man- tation funding for Africa can exacerbate the played a key role in the Green Climate Fund climate change was an exotic one that had not aged such a comprehensive integration. discrimination of women. design process in pushing the integration of yet extended to climate funds and financing a gender perspective, are committed to work instruments and need to make them more Mitigation Question: You point to the Green Climate with the new Green Climate Fund Board and gender-aware and gender-responsive. This is a Question: Could you describe the conse- Fund (GCF) as particularly promising to Secretariat, but also to challenge the Green fairly new topic in the global climate finance quences if climate funds are not gender-re- change business as usual in global climate Climate Fund publicly if necessary, should it discourse itself. sponsive? financing. Why? fail to turn promises contained in the govern- However, these funds several years into Schalatek: If the financing that climate Schalatek: The Green Climate Fund in ing document into actions. their operations with their first projects and funds provide for mitigation and adaption ac- its governing documents already has several programmes implemented have realised that tions is not gender-responsive, projects and references to a gender-sensitive approach in- Political without gender considerations, their funding programmes done in the name of climate pro- tegrated, for example, with respect to gender- Of course, the Green Climate Fund can is less effective and less equitable. Their expe- tection might actually hurt women or discrim- balance as a goal on the Green Climate Fund only be operationalised as a gender-respon- rience confirmed that of development finance, inate against women (in violation of women’s Board and among the staff of its secretariat. sive climate fund if it receives the full politi- where a focus on gender equality has proved human rights). Most importantly, it has stipulated in its cal and financial support of developed coun- to be a core contributor to better development They are also likely to be less effective in objectives and principles that promoting gen- tries quickly. Some large funding pledges now outcomes. reaching long-lasting results. For example, in der responsiveness is to be considered an ex- would secure its viability. Better outcome of climate actions is par- sub-Saharan Africa, women are still the pri- plicit ‘co-benefit’ of any funding done by the It would also send a signal to developing ticularly important in times of scarce public mary agricultural producers, accounting for Green Climate Fund. Verbally, this is already countries that developed countries are willing funding availability. By including some gender up to 80 percent of the household food pro- more than any other existing climate fund has to fulfil their part of the Durban package with- provisions retroactively, for example, consul- duction. integrated. out quid-pro-quo, but in the spirit of “com- tation guidelines that stipulate the outreach to As women own little of the land they work mon but differentiated responsibilities and women as a special stakeholder group or the on, they are often kept out of formal consulta- Challenge respective capabilities”. inclusion of a gender analysis in project pro- tion processes to determine adaptation needs Of course, the challenge is now to make A gender-responsive, fully funded Green posals, fund boards and administrators feel of rural communities and are unable to secure sure that these words are operationalised into Climate Fund would be one important way to that they have a better chance of benefitting credits or other agricultural extension services. concrete measures or mechanisms, for exam- put equity back into the multilateral response more people in developing countries. In times of food insecurity — aggravated by ple in the form of gender indicators and gen- to climate change. 16 Issue Number 23 • November 2011

Lack of mothers care, turns girl child education upside down …By Jane Mutua will harshly teach you). and parents must play their part in Most street urchin in urban cen- ensuring the wellbeing of the in- ost parents have passed tres just find themselves begging in nocent girls adding that a study the buck of nurturing streets when their parents fail to take revealed that most girls in primary up their children as care of them as others sadly turn out school miss classes when experienc- they grow up and left to be gangsters due to peer pressure. ing their periods. teachersM to do the whole task, leaving “These children you see loitering ‘‘The mother needs to be sen- the girl child education in the brink around are all not orphaned. Most sitive to their girls by monitoring of precipice. of them fled their homes after lack- their body changes to help boost “It is so pathetic that most of the ing someone to educate them and their school performance since most parents even don’t bother to find provide them with the basic needs,” of the girls start receiving monthly out their children performance un- observes Mwiyei. periods, and no one provides them til when the child completes his/her “Education is the foundation and with sanitary towels,” noted a con- final examination,” laments Mwingi an open key for a successful life for cerned teacher from Ithumbi prima- Many children in school lack parental guidance as they get into teenage. Central Senior Education Officer all people. This is the reason why ry school in Mwingi Central. Ida Odinga, the prime minister’s wife gives sanitary towels to a school Gideon Mukiti Mwiyei. we (Uweso Kenya) are moving from girl early this month at Kaningo, Kyuso District. Inset: Uweso team assess Mwiyei said that if it happens that one school to another as we monitor Cheat primary school pupils. the child has performed poorly, the the progress of the pupils in school,” “They cheat that they are unwell parent reacts angrily to the poor per- says Phyllis Kimotho, coordinator of without disclosing the kind of sick- formance, yet he or she contributed Uweso Kenya, Kyuso Branch. ness due to naivety. As a teacher I just in hospital, I know these girls didn’t He observed that both parents nothing for the good of the child’s ed- get to know her problem through the perform well,” said one of the top should be in a position to guide and ucation. He observes that most chil- Changes look and shift in to help her. But it ranking official in Mwingi hospital discipline their children unless those dren in primary level perform poorly Uweso Kenya revealed that most becomes unmanageable if it turns out who did not want to be named. with exceptional cases. due to the lack of parent’s guidance girls in primary schools in Mwingi that five girls per day experience the “If both parents are alive, let all and counselling. District attain teenage and start expe- same problem,” said the concerned Pregnancy of them play part to bring up their riencing biological body changes yet teacher. She said the number of school children together if they really want Selection their mothers are not aware. Mothers’ ignorance to take care girls getting pregnant is too high them grow well and perform well in “Despite the fact that girls are Many of the girls are suffering in of their daughters is too high within adding that most girls in secondary their academic,’’ noted Malla. favoured in secondary school form silence as they use pieces of clothes or Mwingi. Most of mothers are not schools have gone to the extent of However, parent’s separation is one selection unlike boys, they can mattresses for sanitary towels. close to their daughters and, there- procuring abortion. still a big problem that has contrib- as well perform better and get better “This is what we call ignorance. fore, most girls turn up to other peo- “We had a girl with a special case uted to poor performance among secondary schools without obtain- Most mothers need to be close to ple to solve out their problems. who did an abortion last year from school children. ing any favour,” urges Mwiyei. He their daughters. If we want our girls “I don’t know who to blame. Girls secondary school within Mwingi, “Parents’ disagreements and di- adds: “This can happen only if both to perform well, we need to adopt from both primary and secondary barely two days before sitting for her vorces can lead to a child’s poor per- parents can resort to disciplining our traditional culture of moth- schools are giving birth while do- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Edu- form since there is no conducive en- their children in order to produce ers staying close to their daughters ing their final examinations. Last cation (KCSE),” she added. vironment for that child to learn,” he good results.” as they discipline and guide them. year alone we had three girls from According to James Malla, a added. As goes the Swahili adage that I strongly believe that this will im- primary school who gave birth and Guidance and Counselling Officer He observed that children can asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa prove the girl child education,” notes four from secondary school and from Nairobi, the buck of bringing only pass their exams when they have na ulimwengu (whoever fails to ad- Kimotho. both were candidates. They had dif- up the child in a moral way stops with a conducive environment both at here to mother’s advice, the world She reiterates that both teachers ficult time to do their examinations the parents, not teachers. home and school.

Executive Director: Rosemary Okello Editorial Director: Arthur Okwemba Managing Editor: Jane Godia Sub-Editors: Duncan Mboyah and Faith Muiruri Contributors: Hussein Dido, Henry Kahara, Carolyne Oyugi, Frank Ouma, Henry The Kenyan Woman is a publication of African Owino, Bob Ombati, Kirimi Murithi, Kigondu Ndavanu, Cyprose Asiago, Woman and Child Feature Service Monica Luwondo, Daud Kayisi, Miller Omega, Karani Kelvin, Jane This paper is produced with support from HIVOS Mutua, Thomas Bwire and Rousbeh Legatis. E-mail: [email protected] Design & layout: Noel Lumbama (Noel Creative Media Ltd) www.awcfs.org