1 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Issue Number 12 • December 2010

EDITORIAL Politicisation of Constitution implementation hurting Kenyans t is now three months since the Con- stitution was promulgated. While the event was marked with pomp and colour among Kenyan women, a dark Icloud looms over the new Constitution. Parliamentarians have decided to make the confirmation of nominees to work as commissioners in the Constitution Imple- mentation Commission a political issue which they can use a bargaining chip. The Constitution implementation pro- cess should be a citizen driven process and politicians who are desperate at having their own agendas satisfied are wrong in using the process to settle political scores. Women, who have been the biggest los- ers in the old Constitutional dispensation are keen to see the new law take effect. The schedules that were set up for the process to systematically take effect will be affected by this polarisation that has taken a politi- cal turn. Women are still suffering as the old law is still in effect. Politicians must realise that they are in Parliament courtesy Nominated Member of Parliament Rachel Shebesh addresses young women during the National Young Women’s Forum of the Kenyan public and specifically, the at Ufungamano House recently. Young women need to be educated on the importance of joining political parties. Kenyan woman. Picture: Courtesy YWLI Education They need to realise that holding Ke- nyans at ransom just because their egos have not been satisfied is a luxury they can only enjoy for a short time. Educating Kenyans on the implementa- tion process is key at this time when politi- Young women cians, and legislators to be specific, are mak- ing a joke out of their lives. The common man and woman must know that they have a right to a legal recourse on this issue. Under the new Constitution Kenyans have a right to sue Parliament where they feel there are inadequacies with the imple- seek to embrace mentation process. However, not many Ke- nyans know of this right as no politicians will come out to educate them on it. It is important that civil society, as the common man’s watch dog, takes lead role in taking Parliament to task over this issue. The political leadership culture of silence is what has made Kenyans suffer and it must not be allowed to go on. …By Mercy Mumo it is taken. Women leaders in Africa such as El- embrace political leadership especially with the Civil society needs to take Kenyans on len Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia), Luisa Diogo (Mo- formation of the county government. The dream board and unleash a suit that will make ll generations of women must be rep- zambique), Winnie Byanyima (Uganda), Joyce of having a young women’s movement came into politicians think again before they hold resented in decision making organs. Banda (Malawi), Joice Mujuru (Zimbabwe) and focus when more than 700 young women partici- the country at ransom. Women’s organisa- However, young women have lacked Kenya’s own Martha Karua, Charity Ngilu as well pants converged at Ufungamano House. tions must also take a role in this. It took a presence in national leadership. as Prof Wangari Maathai all took up the fight in Women’s leadership has not been given the se- Kenyans more than 20 years of hard work AWith the promulgation of the new Constitu- their quest for political leadership. It was never riousness and urgency it deserves. Speaking dur- and tax payers’ money to have the new law tion, a fresh beginning for Kenya cannot go on without a struggle and neither was it offered to ing the forum, Ms Sophie Ngugi, Executive Direc- in place. without young women. Doctor Leon (http://www. them on a silver platter. tor YWLI reiterates that women need to set the We must remember that Parliament is drleons.com/abdrleon.htm) was once quoted say- These sentiments emerged during the first pace and participate in moving the agenda of this made up of only 220 individuals who are ing “women really do rule the world. National Young Women’s Forum organised by country forward. very insignificant percentage compared to They just haven’t figured it out yet. When the Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI) “As women, we have lost visibility and it is the 38 million that forms the population of they do, and they will, we are all in big trouble”. held in October. This was the first gathering of high time we claimed the space and be recog- this country. If young women took Leon’s thoughts seriously, this kind in the history of Kenya for young wom- nized,” says Ngugi. They must, therefore, not be given the they would pride themselves in possessing more en. Upcoming female aspirants need to be educat- space and time to make Kenyans suffer intellect and be development oriented. Under the theme Kenya Freshi…niko set, the ed on the importance of being affiliated to a politi- just because they want to satisfy their po- Women need to learn that power is not given, forum was a wake up call to the young women to Continued on page 4 litical whims. 2 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Education the key to girl empowerment …By BENDARO TSUMA ment the new Constitution that many issues including the rights of of students enrolled in university requires at least one third of either women as enshrined in the new con- colleges within the Coast Province n ambitious programme gender in public appointments, we stitution. She noted that women in were local people. “Majority are to empower women in must have educated women,” ex- the rural areas still do not have voice from other regions and the associa- the Kilifi County through plained Karani. when it comes to their daughters’ tion is seeking to reverse the trend the education of the girl Karani, who is a former Malindi education with men preferring only so that locals, especially girls, can fill childA has been launched in Malindi. District Elections Coordinator la- their sons. the positions. Mwerya Women’s Association is mented that out of the 61 departmen- To raise money, the association already sponsoring girls to pursue tal heads in the district, only five were Sponsorship has started a tissue culture banana higher education. The organisation women. “We have discovered that those project at the Sabaki estuary, on plans to hold a major charity walk She said: “Cultural inhibitions who should be in tertiary institu- the banks of River Sabaki. This will to raise money. In its current budget and traditional practices disadvan- tions are at home because they can- boost their income and enable them it needs more than KSh2 million to taged the woman, making it almost not afford to pursue further educa- sponsor more girls in education. help girls in institutions of higher impossible for her to ascend to po- tion,” said Bahati. She added: “In Separately, the Voice of Watamu learning complete their studies. sitions of authority in the country, the present world, for one to secure Women’s Group, an umbrella organ- Failure especially within the Kilifi County, respectable employment, one must isation of 28 women’s groups also or- where boys were still favoured over have papers, but our girls only wait ganised a charity walk recently. According to officials of the girls in educational opportunities.” at home to be misused by men af- The organisation raised over group Mrs Gertrude Bahati (chair- “In the present world, for The association’s main objective ter leaving primary or secondary KSh400, 000 which will be used for person) and Mrs Christine Karani one to secure respectable is to empower women economically school.” child protection, education, women’s (education secretary), women have by helping them understand how to The women’s group had already welfare and environmental conser- failed to be represented in gover- employment, one must undertake economic activities and identified 23 girls for sponsorship vation. nance due to low education and lack have papers.” improve their standards of living. to university and colleges. About 1,000 women from Wata- of economic empowerment. Bahati said the association aimed Bahati, a retired primary school mu and Malindi took part in the 30 “For us to be able to fully imple- — Gertrude Bahati at conducting civic education on head teacher, said only 30 per cent kilometre walk. Murang’a Rural women want more demand space engagement with new law …By Kenyan Woman writer development processes must engage and be led by members of that community. in decision orn and brought in the village, The Caucus plays a facilitative and techni- grassroots women’s leader Jenni- cal supportive role, while the membership fer Masis can truly identify with implements all program activities. rural women. When she speaks of “Coming from a remote part of Kenya making Btheir tribulations, she does so from an in- and being a member of the most marginal- formed position because that is where she ized community the Sabaot I would like to …By Ryan Mathenge operates from. say that the road to a new Constitution had As they engage in the constitution dis- many challenges for us,” says Masis. ith the passing of the new law, women pensation, Masis knows from her heart “Our area remains volatile as they re- leaders are now demanding to be in- what the rural woman needs at this par- gard land their livelihood and suffer from volved in decision making organs cur- ticular time. unequal distribution of resources,” she says. rently being occupied by men. “As a rural woman, I would like to thank Masis adds: “During the war by the Sabaot WWomen leaders from Murang’a County have put national civil society organisations, the me- Land Defence Force (SLDF) schools were men on notice should they ignore the new law. During dia and Kenyans for being vigilant, alert destroyed, thousands of people lost their a capacity building workshop recently, they pointed an and acting as the watchdog towards ensur- lives and many were displaced. Property accusing finger at some leaders who over the years have ing that Kenya gets the new constitution,” worth millions of shillings was lost. Wom- treated them as third rate Kenyans. Masis said during a meeting to reflect on en were raped as young girls resorted to “Coming from a remote part Murang’a District Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organi- the post referendum process. prostitution. of Kenya and being a member sation chairperson, Mrs Beth Muraya said time was ripe Born and brought up in Mt Elgon, This happened as a result of the struggle for women to be included in decision making as spelt out Masis is currently settled in Trans-Nzoia over land ownership at Chepyuk Settlement of the most marginalized in the new Constitution. County, Kwanza District Endebess Division Scheme which brought to end infrastruc- community the Sabaot I “Time has come that we are now demanding what Chorlim Sub-Location. She is the director ture and social economic activities. belongs to us as women after years of being oppressed by of a community based organisation Tears of “Ethnic animosities among different would like to say that the men,” said Muraya. Women Organisation and convenor of the communities residing in this region is still road to a new Constitution During the session, Dr Molly Wamaitha Mwangi Trans-Nzoia Regional Assembly. disturbing in terms of positions and distri- had many challenges for us.” said owing to their numerical capacity, women have the bution of counties upon the coming into chance of determining who will be a leader in future. Barriers force of the new Constitution,” explains — Jennifer Masis “We are our own enemy as during the campaign time The Women Regional assemblies came Masis. when men candidates come around with many goodies up when the Caucus for Women’s Leader- She reiterates: “Therefore as women, Constitution says about them and the need seeking our support, we ignore female candidates some ship realised that the complexity of several and through Caucus for Women’s Leader- to protect women’s gains,” explains Masis. of whom are our daughters,” said Mwangi. barriers that continued to prevent women ship, we are implementing the G-10 land But now that the Constitution passed In the coming elections they vowed they would only from getting out of the poverty trap as well reform and decentralisation programme through the referendum, what is it that support candidates who have shown respect to women as participating in decision-making. These which enabled women understand what women in Mt Elgon would like to see being and children. included social cultural attitudes, illiteracy, the new Constitution contained. done three months after promulgation? “Over the years we have seen our children, instead lack of business skills, domestic responsibil- It is the rural women leaders through Masis in her recommendations says: of being helped to pursue education being turned into ities and the fact that leadership is reserved community based organisation that have “There is need for serious and continued campaign agents for certain candidates at a KSh100 fee for men-many think. tried to make constitutionalism work in civic education to empower women to un- per day,” said Muraya. These issues demanded change agents the grassroots. derstand all the available opportunities cre- They also accused elected leaders and politicians be present and visible in the target com- Rural Women Peace Link, a CBO head- ated by the new Constitution.” of having locked out women in matters surrounding munities to support, facilitate and encour- ed by Selline Korir secured funding from She reiterates: There is also need to lob- Murang’a County. age required change throughout the dura- Hivos and helped develop Women’s Bunge by Government in terms of legislation to They said meetings held in Nairobi were in bad taste tion of the change process. This need gave in each of the five districts which fall un- create a platform for the marginalised com- as none of the grassroots leaders are involved. birth to 29 Women’s Regional Assemblies der their areas of coverage that include Mt munities like Sabaot and Sengwer.” “We only know of meetings convened at night in the located in 29 Districts. Elgon, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Marakwet And finally, the women’s CBOs would city. We are totally in the dark but their resolutions risk The rationale behind this strategy is and the larger Uasin Gishu District. like to have financial support to help push being rejected once presented to the public,” said Ms that effective and sustainable support for “This brought women together to share their work of empowering women for- Mary Irungu. women’s participation in socio-economic there experiences, understand what the ward. 3 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Prof Waceke Wanjohi Following her childhood dream of growing seeds in test tubes

…By Duncan Mboya she discovered that nematodes were The pests also attack vegetables a big problem to the farmers but such as cabbages, indigenous variet- rom a very tender age she they lack the knowledge and capac- ies and legumes. However, there are loved playing with soil. This ity to deal with this problem. certain plants that could be used in admiration extended to “Above all, outside South Africa, controlling the spread. flowers and plants in gen- there was no nematode systematist “We are working on both identi- Feral as she matured. or taxonomist to help identify the fication of the nematodes on the se- Step by step this admiration pests and offer farmers advice on lected crops and then coming up with graduated to fascination with grow- what to do to enable them realize a how to manage the problem using lo- ing of seeds in test tubes that was a bumper harvest free of pests infesta- cally invented methods that can eas- normal happening in lower primary tions,” she explains. ily be adopted by farmers,” she adds. under the instruction of the science A survey conducted in 1996 by She is currently encouraging farm- teacher. CABI aimed at identifying sources ers to use organic manure from animal Today, Waceke Wanjohi, a Pro- of taxonomic expertise in nematol- and plant sources -cabbage residues fessor of Plant Nematology at Ke- ogy revealed that outside of South and animal manure which are effec- nyatta University has stepped up her Africa, there were only two practic- tive in controlling nematodes and also game, taking it a notch higher. She ing nematode systematists in Africa. have multiple uses. is involved in conducting research Waceke is also spearheading in- on management of plant nematode Nematology tercropping and crop rotations with pests mainly root — knot and lesion From here, Waceke felt the need poor nematode hosts which have nematodes on various crops in small to start an association that could other benefits, like Crotalaria (Sun- holder farming systems in Kenya bring up nematologists together as nhemp), a legume and a vegetable and beyond. well as championing the interest of and Mucuna (Velvet Bean). So far le- farmers in the continent. gume and fodder crop have been very Science “We started Nematologist Ini- effective in controlling nematodes in Waceke joined the science world tiative of East and Southern Africa maize cropping systems in Kirinyaga, with no role model but sheer strong (NIEAS) and so far we have trained Central Kenya. drive towards the subjects. scientists from Kenya, Uganda, Tan- Working in Agricultural research zania, Malawi and Zimbabwe,” she Researcher has placed Waceke among key pio- observes. Waceke is now an accomplished neer women researchers in Kenya. The initiative has led to the estab- researcher and lecturer at Kenyatta In most cases women who work in lishment of six plant nematology lab- University, her alumni. She has 21 agriculture are just farm hands or oratories — two in Kenya at Kenyatta years experience of university teach- “I am currently supervising a student who is wives working in their husband’s University and University of Nairobi. ing where she teaches plant pathol- looking at the severity and intensity of root knot land where they are neither co-own- There are two in Tanzania and one ogy related courses. She has devel- ers nor are they paid for their input. each in Malawi and Zimbabwe. oped several academic programmes nematodes on vegetables in Transmara and “My choice of agricultural sci- “The laboratories play a ma- and established the first plant nema- Kisii Counties. I believe in equipping others so ences was driven by my early inter- jor role in training and retaining tology lab among other contribu- action with soil as my mother was students to take nematology seri- tions. that they learn to become independent. I also deeply involved in farming activity ously unlike before when some were But before enrolling for her mas- and I wanted to study deeper what forced to look for alternative sub- ter degree programme, Waceke taught love to see people grow and develop in their soil is all about,” she says. jects,” Waceke explains. biology and geography at Nakuru lives and progress to the right direction.” On admission to high school She says that through the initia- High School in Nakuru County. for her ‘A’ level; Waceke was forced tive, there currently exists an interac- Even though she no longer teach- — Waceke Wanjohi to take her three best subjects, thus tive website that engages young stu- es at secondary school, Waceke has, denying her the opportunity to take dents with information, a resource however, continued to share her ex- her favourite subject; Chemistry and that was not available before. periences with students from differ- Higher Education. culture and Technology. They have minimising her chances of going to Kenya currently has 13 accom- ent schools. This has been a kind of Waceke wants to be remembered two children and they both aspire to Nairobi University’s constituent col- plished nematologists (10 Msc and mentoring programme which in a as a person who impacted the lives be scientists. lege at Kabete Campus to do a BSc in three with PhDs) and more are still way shows girls that they can excel of people and especially small scale “Other than working in the lab, Agriculture. under training. in science subjects and make a good women farmers by ensuring that I also enjoy cooking and trying new She secretly applied for a diploma Waceke says that nematodes career for themselves. problems of pests are eradicated as recipes. I like swimming and playing course at Egerton College (that time though very tiny (measuring less “I believe in equipping others they reap fortune from their farming scrabble,” she reveals. the institution was offering diploma than 10mm) contribute significant- so that they learn to become inde- activity. She is currently a member of the courses only) and was admitted to ly to cash and food crop failure in pendent. I also love to see people Kenya National Academy of Scienc- take agriculture, her subject of choice sub-Saharan Africa for besides be- grow and develop in their lives and Legacy es, an association that has 115 mem- and opted out from high school in ing pests themselves, they interact progress to the right direction,” she She is a strong believer that de- bers in the country and a fellow of second term of her first year. with other pathogens and pests to explains. spite the perennial food insecurity the British Society of Biology. “My elder brother would not cause more severe disease and are Her contribution has gone a notch in Africa, the problem can only be She has been invited as reviewer hear of it and I had to go back to vector important plant viruses. higher as she has also been appointed solved by Africans themselves. of a highly reputed Journals; “Austra- high school and continue with my a mentee by the Africa Women in Ag- “Our scientists outperform any- lian Journal of Agricultural Research high schools studies,” she says. Crop failure ricultural Research and Development one else out there and they can also formerly Crop and Pasture Science” She would later reconnect with “They cause crops to wilt after they (AWARD), a sub-Saharan Africa pro- do the same here once a conducive in Australia an author for Dynamic agriculture at Kenyatta University have eaten all the roots. Also lead to fessional development programme to environment is created for them,” Soil, Dynamic Plants in Japan; and a where she was admitted to do a dwarfing and yellowing of plants due help mentor women scientists in the adds Waceke who is a founding Di- referee of the; “Botswana Journal of Bachelor of Education Science de- to lack of nutrients,” she says. continent. rector of the now vibrant Regional Agriculture and Applied Sciences” gree and majored in plant pathology. The nematode pests cause up to As her contribution to the sur- Centre for Capacity Development in Botswana. She did a research project on plant 60 percent of crop losses and some- rounding community, Waceke cur- (ReCCaDe) at the same University. Waceke is a worried scientist due nematodes. times total loss if infestation is high. rently chairs the resource mobili- She propagates for vocation- to the inadequate support that gov- Waceke’s main interest in sci- They are blamed for 60, 50, 38 and sation committee of a community al training for extension officers, ernments allocate for agricultural ence research has all along centred 32 percent tomato, bean, spinach and project; the Neema Hospital Project Non Governmental Organizations research in the region. on how to address the problems okra loss per year in Kenya alone. in her Nairobi residence neighbour- (NGOs), agricultural staff and farm- “Lack of serious funding is caus- caused by nematodes to farmers in “I am currently supervising a hood. Here she leads in organizing ers groups. ing food reliance in the region yet the the country. student who is looking at the sever- free medical camps, training semi- She has been married for 19 governments continue to talk of pov- In a survey she conducted jointly ity and intensity of root knot nema- nars on Drugs and Drug Abuse, Nu- years to Mr Luke Wanjohi, an Actu- erty eradication, how is this going to with others in 2003 and supported todes on vegetables in Transmara trition and Health, public lecturer arial Scientist currently lecturing at be achieved in the absence of funding by Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Kisii Counties,” she observes. on Challenges and Opportunities in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agri- research,” she poses. 4 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Inviolata Mmbwavi has tried and tested political duels Mmbwavi proved society wrong HIV/Aids. A few weeks later she was She explains: “There is room for by being one of the few women to have appointed to sit at the National Aids negotiation and if it means stepping tried her hand on the political seat Control Council board. down for a fellow woman I will, but consistently in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Mmbwavi is the Executive Di- she has to deserve it and be convinc- The other woman is Alice Ng’ang’a rector of Grassroot Empowerment ing enough in terms of integrity, from Juja Constituency who also tried Trust in Kakamega where she has 10 vision, education and with a good her hand in the by-election held in teenage girls in high school under track record.” August. her wing. She adds: “Women need to appre- Recalling her childhood, Mmb- She is passionate about bridging ciate, support and love each other by wavi has always wanted to be a leader. the gap in secondary enrolment and action in sisterhood. Men in power A third born in a family of 10, by the encourages girls to uphold education. are manipulative therefore we should age of seven, she was already taking Mmbwavi reiterates: “Men respect strive to be different, stand in solidar- care of her family and ensuring that women who are independent and can ity and not hide behind others.” they had a meal. It was also at this age cater for themselves.” Another challenge is that women …By Mercy Mumo that she got empowered as a woman. She knows that the Constitution are poor in attending meetings. Wom- “Society still “If at that tender age I was deter- has provided women with the right en are known to only show up if there or those who have tasted the perceives politics mined to know what my family was platform to claim their rights. It is is an incentive for them. One cannot turbulent political waters it going to eat, then I do not see any- time women got involved in politics blame them for this considering ma- is not easy. According to Ms as a space where thing wrong with me determining and leadership. jority of them have the responsibility Inviolata Mmbwavi (38), a only men can what the country will eat,” reiterates “They should come out openly to of providing for their families. Fparliamentary aspirant for Embakasi deliver and not Mmbwavi who spoke at the Young occupy what they have fought for. We For Mmbwavi leadership goes Constituency it is not easy fighting for Women’s Forum. should make noise for what is right- hand in hand with family. If a woman space with the male counterparts. women.” While she may not have reached fully ours. Your mouth will save you. does not have a strong family sup- “Society still perceives politics as a — Ms Inviolata Mmbwavi her journey’s end, at 25, Mmbwavi We should never give up trying,” said port system in terms of values, then space where only men can deliver and stood before Parliament in 1999 to Mmbwavi. Her solemn vow is to nev- it poses a challenge when fighting for not women,” she says. explain to the MPs issues relating to er attack a fellow woman. political recognition. It is time for young women leaders Continued from page 1 cal party no matter how small or unpopular it is. It plays a major role in gaining one visibility and political leverage. According to Ms Maria Okong’o, Project Manager at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Participants engage charge of Political Leadership Development in discussions Programme, there should be a mechanism during the young for political party engagement with young women forum. A lot women. of mobilisation for “Having a functional democracy calls for young women needs having functional political parties. Appoint- to be done so that ments to political positions come through po- they are able to form litical parties. Being an independent candidate strong networks. does not build you,” says Okong’o. Picture: Courtesy YWLI Party affiliation She encourages young women with interest in politics to join political parties, not on basis of ethnicity and tribe but ambition. “Joining a political party should be an in- dividual choice and not influenced by other external factors such as tribe or race. You from the ignorance school of thought that new insight,” says Shebesh. should always consider the image you make women do not have the capacity to occupy Young women have been given the chance Way forward for yourself as a young woman. Do not wait democratic space. by the older ones who fought for the space and to be invited on the political table,” reiterates Former YWLI Executive Director Ms they should make the effort to enjoy and learn …By Mercy Mumo O kon g’o. Saida Ali emphasises the lack of young wom- from their experiences and the opportunities Young women should make the effort to en’s representation in political leadership. ahead. The older generation that fought for oung women have vowed to embrace leader- pay for their ticket to parliament and not ac- She reiterates that it is only possible to bring women’s liberation suffered humiliation and ship through exchanging ideas in their different cept to be bought. change with dedication, self love and loving intimidation in order to pave way for younger Ycounties, networking, supporting each other, go- As a young aspirant, one has got to believe fellow women. women to get the space. ing back to school and working together in unity for a in what a particular party has to offer in terms “Women do not need to be given anything. Shebesh who received the leadership man- common cause in political engagement. of policies. According to the publication In- We are able to work twice as hard for what men tle on behalf of the younger generation said: Young women can stand up and be part of deci- stitutionalising Political Parties in Kenya by have,” says Ali. Women can move the world “I see no reason to sit in office to continue sion making because majority of the issues that affect Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, political parties both by becoming women of substance, having their serving if there is another woman with ambi- them are better addressed by a woman rather than opposition and ruling — must participate in issues discussed and not being envious when tion and vision, ready and capable to serve in having somebody else speak on our behalf. policy formulation. one has managed to get there. “We need to be my capacity.” She adds: “County governments Young learned women have become too comfort- proud and supportive,” says Ali. could not have come at a better time.” able with what they have achieved while women in the Policies Speaking at the same forum, Nominated A lot of mobilisation for young women grassroots have been forgotten. Young women need This will enable creating and sustaining Member of Parliament Rachel Shebesh argues needs to be done so they are able to form a to move away from the mentality of waiting for things to working parties that is critical to democratic that if women were united, then they would strong network that will empower them on po- happen and pointing an accusing finger when nothing governance. Whichever party one chooses to rule the world. “A young woman is a new idea, litical matters through civic education, train- happens. It is time young women stopped waiting for join, they should be able to weigh and iden- ing and political mentorship programmes, something to happen and did something about it. tify if the policies are in line with their agen- leadership and education. Young women have to learn and start negotiating da in leadership and if it is able to move the “Women do not need to be According to Ms Susan Kariuki from in political matters. It is important that they are includ- agenda forward. given anything. We are able Women Agenda, “it is time to replace civic ed and engage in the country’s devolution structures Although the new Constitution has much education with civil engagement.” of government. to offer for the Kenyan women, there are chal- to work twice as hard for Says Kariuki: “We want affirmative action Young women must fight to influence decisions in lenges ahead. Issues like finances, discrimi- what men have,” within affirmative action. Half of those county this country. They must use their numbers, strength nation, political patronage and commitment seats have to go to young women and we have and resources as well as unity to propel one of their will always arise. Women must move away — Saida Ali to align ourselves strategically.” own to the hot seat. 5 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Youth tasked to ensure implementation of gains …By Faith Muiruri country. However quests for affirma- tions despite their potential in leader- tive action have not succeeded as bills ship. oung women from all walks sent to Parliament have not sailed “The youth in Kenya have a major of life recently gathered at through,” said Sophie Ngugi, Execu- role to play in ensuring the rights of the Kenyatta International tive Director YWLI. all women and men and in ensuring Conference Centre (KICC) She said that presidential decla- that the citizenry benefit from provi- Yto mark the human rights festival or- rations and policies have not done sions in the proposed constitution,” ganised by the Young Women Lead- enough to elevate the position of reiterated Ngugi. ership Institute (YWLI). both women and girls in the coun- She said lack of appreciation of The women drawn from differ- try. the rights of women and girls has ent parts of the country united in a contributed to violence which makes resounding affirmation that they will Under representation it even harder for young women to jointly push for the implementation “Women remain under represent- access public offices and space. of the gains espoused in the Con- ed with the highest decision making The Human Rights Reggae Festi- stitution during the festival dubbed organ having only a mere 9.5 percent val was initiated as a response to the Kenya Freshi…Niko Set. representation of women and simi- 2007-2008 post election violence, They were tasked to take up the larly low numbers in other positions,” under the Positive Vibrations Proj- mantle in their respective areas to Ngugi said. ect. ensure that the rights of women are She reiterated that the few women It entails the use of reggae music upheld and that young women ben- in parliament are over 35 years with that has positive messages on peace- efit from the affirmative action en- a small percentage under the official ful coexistence and has been used as trenched in the Constitution. youth bracket. a tool to urge the youth to be agents “One of the struggles for women She said that it has increasingly of change by promoting efforts that Young women enjoy themselves during the human rights festival. They has been access to political leadership become difficult for young women to focus on good governance and peace were tasked to take up the mantle of leadership to ensure young women access national decision making posi- building. and decision making positions in the benefit from affirmative action.Picture: Courtesy YWLI Fear of attack leaves women prisoners in their homes …By Amnesty International

ntil two months ago, Am- ina always felt safe going to the toilet at dusk. Then she would feel secure as itU was not too late. However, things have changed and it is no longer busi- ness as usual. “I always underestimated the threat of violence,” said Amina, 19, and a resident of the Mathare slum in Nairobi. “I would go to the latrine any time provided it was not too late. This was until about two months ago when I was almost raped.” Amina was attacked by a group of four men while she walked to the la- trine at 7pm. They hit her, undressed her and were about to rape her when her cries were heard and area resi- dents came to her rescue. Although she knew one of the men, Amina did not report to the police as she feared reprisal attacks. Amina is not alone in her pre- dicament. Women and girls in Nai- robi’s slums are living under constant A section of Kibera slum. Many women in informal settlements resort to ‘flying toilets’ at night because of risk of insecurity. Picture: Correspondent threat of sexual violence. Movement has becomes a problem and they are too scared to leave their houses to use researcher. “They need more privacy toilets’ — using plastic bags thrown cilities at household level. laws has ensured that landlords and communal toilet and bathroom fa- than men when going to the toilet or from the doorstep to dispose of Despite some positive features, structure owners in the slums can get cilities, Amnesty International said in taking a bath and the inaccessibility waste. Kenya’s Millennium Development away without providing any toilets or a report released recently. of facilities make women vulnerable The women also told Amnesty Goal (MDG) policies to meet the tar- shower places for their tenants,” ex- to rape, leaving them trapped in their International how the poor sanitary get on sanitation do not address the plains Odongo. Danger own homes. conditions they live in — which in- specific needs of women who face the Lack of security of tenure also The reportInsecurity and Indigni- “The fact that they are unable to clude widespread disposal of human threat of violence because they lack remains a long standing problem for ty: Women’s Experiences in the Slums access even the limited communal waste in the open due to lack of ade- adequate sanitation. tenants, despite a national land policy of Nairobi, Kenya details how failure toilet facilities also puts them at risk quate access to toilets — directly con- “There is a huge gap between in place, removing any incentives that of the Government to incorporate of illness.” tributes to cases of poor health and to what the Government commits to landlords or owners could have to en- the slums in urban plans and budgets The situation is compounded by high health care costs. do, and what is going on in the slums sure proper sanitation and measures has resulted in poor access to services lack of police presence in the slums Other women describe the hu- everyday,” said Odongo. to increase security. like sanitation, which hits women in and when women fall victim to vio- miliation of having to bath in front “Kenya’s national policies recogn- Amnesty International calls on slums and informal settlements espe- lence they are unlikely to see justice of their relatives and children. Even ise the rights to sanitation and there the Kenyan government to enforce cially hard. done. Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum by day, public bathroom facilities are are laws and standards in place. How- landlords’ obligations to construct “Women in Nairobi’s settlements and home to up to a million people, few and far between and invariably ever, because of decades of failure to toilets and bathrooms in the slums become prisoners in their own homes has no police post. involve walking long distances. Ac- recognise slums and informal settle- and settlements and provide assis- at night and sometimes well before it Unable to leave their one-roomed cording to official figures, only 24 per ments, planning laws and regulations tance to structure owners who are is dark,” said Mr Godfrey Odongo, shacks after dark, many women in cent of residents in Nairobi’s informal are not enforced in these areas. unable to meet the costs of construct- Amnesty International East Africa informal settlements resort to ‘flying settlements have access to toilet fa- “The lack of enforcement of these ing toilets and bathrooms. 6 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Baroness Vivien Stern Volunteering to empower women

…By Florence Sipalla In the report the Baroness describes sexual violence thus: “Rape takes place within a wider “I am not an aristocrat, I come from an or- social context. Many of its victims are very vul- dinary family,” Baroness Vivienne Stern says nerable.” of herself as she explains that her title comes In the ‘The Stern Review’, the Baroness rec- from the Upper House (House of Lords) of the ommends that an independent sexual violence British Parliament where she has been an inde- advisor be appointed for victims of sexual vio- pendent member since 1999. lence. But the Baroness is no ordinary parlia- The advisor would offer psychological sup- mentarian, at least by Kenyan standards. The port to the victim and also guide them through KenyanWoman met her when she was in the the legal process. It would be interesting to see country volunteering at the Coalition on Vio- the findings that would emerge from a similar lence Against Women (COVAW) over a period study in Kenya, one that would evaluate the of two weeks. impact of the gender desks at our local police Volunteer stations. Parliamentarians in UK have a respon- Prison reforms sibility to volunteer their time and expertise Baroness Stern has done extensive work to different organisations during the time in on prison reforms and published five books which they are serving. Through VSO-Jitolee, on the subject. She has not only highlighted an organisation that works through volunteers improvements needed to this impassioned to fight poverty in developing countries, Stern area of criminal justice but has done so in a identified COVAW as the organisation to work personal, dedicated and professional way. with. “I am not a punishment oriented person,” At COVAW, she contributed to their ad- she says but reiterates “there is need to have al- vocacy work around various bills key among ternative measures for dealing with offenders”. them the Marriage, Matrimonial Property and Stern observes: “I am very much in favour Family Protection as well as Equal Opportuni- of protecting women. There are those people ties Bill at community and national levels. who have to be locked away but more impor- Her presence also helped COVAW knock tantly, there are those whom you can bring to on doors that would have been difficult to ac- an understanding that they can go out and live cess. life differently.” The trip was a challenge to Kenyan MPs She highlights the importance of reha- because the culture of volunteerism has not bilitation, as offenders cannot be locked away been ingrained in the august House. forever. “There needs to be a conscious effort to assist those who can be rehabilitated to Civil society integrate into society upon serving their jail Before she joined Parliament, Baroness terms.” Stern was an active member of the civil society During her volunteer stint in Kenya, Bar- in Britain. She worked on human rights issues oness Stern visited the Gender Based Violence around justice, women’s rights, the death pen- Recovery Centre (GBVRC) at Kenyatta Hos- alty and opposition to the Iraq war. She was in- pital. She described the programme as being volved in social movement pushing for social humane in its care of patients who are victims change in various organisations. of gender based violence. Following her visit to Civil society in Britain is very active and the GBVRC, the Baroness admired the bravery it would organise meetings with parliamen- of the patients and described them as coura- tarians where they ask questions about issues geous for being able to narrate what had hap- of concern. The Baroness indicates that the pened to them. experience gained in civil society has come in handy in the course of her work in the Lessons learnt House. Asked what lessons she learnt in the course Baroness Stern is best known in the UK of her work, the Baroness highlighted the im- for leading a government review on how rape portance of raising awareness on gender roles. “I am very much in favour of protecting women. There complaints are handled from the time when a “It is important men know that women have rape case is first disclosed up to the point when autonomy.” are those people who have to be locked away but more the court reaches a verdict on the issue. She observes that it look long for rape in importantly, there are those whom you can bring to The report dubbed ‘The Stern Review on marriage to be recognised under UK law. It Reporting Rape in England and Wales’ was was only until 1991, that rape in marriage was an understanding that they can go out and live life published in March 2010. recognised as an offence. “Women are entitled differently.” In giving her thoughts on the report, the to say ‘no’ at any time,” she says adding that it Baroness is quoted: “I was privileged to be in- takes a process of deep education on the sub- — Baroness Vivienne Stern vited by the Government Equalities Office and ject for this message to be passed on. the Home Office to carry out this independent The Baroness reiterates that both women review into the treatment of rape complaints and men have a role to play in changing atti- reform throughout the world, of which she tenced to Die? The problem of TB in prisons by public authorities. tudes. “It is about ideas,” she says. was a founder member and secretary-general in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, published The Baroness describes herself as “just a from 1989-2005. by ICPS and available in English and Russian. Crime response very lucky person”. Nothing shows of her age. She is currently a member of the parlia- She has studied alternatives to prison around For over 40 years I have been involved in She was born on September 25, 1941. She mentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. the world and in 2002 she produced Develop- work to improve the way society responds to was raised to the peerage as Baroness Stern of In 2003 Baroness Stern became the Conve- ing Alternatives to Prison in East and Central crime and criminals. During that time I have Vauxhall in the London Borough of Lambeth nor of the Scottish Consortium on Crime and Europe and Central Asia (published by COL- often voiced concern that we have failed to un- in 1999. Criminal Justice. She is also a member of the PI, Budapest in English and Russian). derstand what a caring society should be doing Stern is Senior Research Fellow at the In- Scottish National Advisory Board on Offender She was keen to give any help and ideas to respond to those who have been harmed by ternational Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS) Management, which advises the Scottish Ex- and learn a lot during her time at COVAW. crime. at King’s College, London, a university cen- ecutive (the government of Scotland) on penal Part of her learning incorporated a site visit This review has allowed me to study at first tre dedicated to the study of imprisonment policy. to a sustainable livelihoods programme at hand how one particular group of victims — and its uses around the world. She is also She has written many books on penal DolDol, Nanyuki in addition to meetings the victims of rape — are treated, and to rec- an Honorary President of Penal Reform In- matters. She has a particular interest in health with policy makers in the country. ommend how we can do better.” ternational (PRI), an NGO promoting penal care in prisons and in 1999 she edited Sen- Extra information from the Internet 7 Issue Number 12 • December 2010

Some of the victims of domestic violence who were camping at the Wangira Bose camp in Kuria East District. They were being supported Violence against women goes on by Non-Governmental Organisations before local chiefs held a baraza to reconcile them with their violent unabated in Kuria community husbands. Picture: Odhiambo Odhiambo …by Odhiambo Odhiambo ing, passing unwanted notes and char- have a young mind and cannot cope and sexual tools without any reprisal tutional dispensation, the girls will acter assassination through graphics. with such stressful circumstances,” from the Government even when the have the law on their side. The new he world has been marking “However, not all cases of rape and she explains. “Sexual harassment has cases are reported,” noted Kihita law speaks inherently of defending 16 days of activism against other forms of sexual assault were far reaching implications for teaching A part from sexual violence, oth- every citizen including the margina- violence. The campaign reported, meaning that the number and learning processes. Consider a girl er forms of violence against women lised and vulnerable groups. is an advocacy that seeks could be much higher than quoted,” who has just been sexually harassed by are also rife in the region and several Article 26 speaks of equality and toT reduce cases of violence against says a police report on the gender- a male teacher. Such a girl will be trau- non-governmental organisation as freedom from discrimination. Section women. based violence. matised and unable to concentrate on well as community and faith-based 2 says: “Women and men have a right However, in some communities, her studies. The presence of the per- groups have for years been forced to equal treatment including the right violence against women continues Silence petrator will elicit anger, fear and re- to pitch camps in the area to try and to equal opportunities in political, unabated even with laws in place that Statistics which have been com- sentment that hinder learning,” Oloo fight them. Maendeleo ya Wanawake economic, cultural and social spheres.” are supposed to curb the vice. piled in local hospitals, as well as by reiterates. Organization, Action Aid Kenya, Ger- This includes right to education. Violence against women is still community and faith-based organisa- Her sentiments are supported by many Technical Agency (GTZ) and Speaking of human dignity Arti- high among members of the Kuria tions, where the victims go for treat- Langat who says: “To a great extent Adventist Development Relief Agency cle 27 says: “Every person has inher- community despite the punitive mea- ment and counselling approximate this affects the girl’s participation in (ADRA) have been very vocal against ent dignity and the right to have that sures put by the government after the that there were at least 1,000 rapes education.” what they call outdated practices. dignity respected and protected. enactment of the sexual offence Act and defilements during the period, Langat describes Kuria region as For five consecutive years since Article 28 speaks of freedom and in 2006. indicating an increase of about 400 a hot spot for school dropout among 2004, these organisations have not security of the person which includes Between January 2009 and June cases compared to previous years. girls who have undergone sexual shied away from sponsoring pro- (c) “the right not to be subjected to 2010, the Kuria East and Kuria West However, many victims opted to abuse. Information available at the grammes on alternative rites of pas- any form of violence either in private Districts registered the worst grip on remain silent fearing embarrassment, department estimates that some sage for girls opposed to female cir- or public sources”. the crime, with the leading one being humiliation and shame. 200 girls dropped out of school in cumcision. sexual abuse. “Most victims were often times si- 2009 alone as a result of unwanted But regrettably, majority of their Rights lent sufferers, particularly those who pregnancies. Of the number, about graduands end up being forcefully Article 28 (d) says: Every person Police cases were in the same environment with 10 per cent of the girls dropped out cut immediately they return home has the right to freedom and security While national statistics indicate their attackers,” says Langat. because of pregnancies borne out of from the secluded camps. Uncir- which includes the right not to be that every 30 minutes a woman is According to Mrs Caroline Oloo, a rape and defilement. cumcised girls in the community are subjected to torture, in any manner sexually assaulted in Kenya, research psychiatrist based in Kehancha Town, The remaining number was considered “outcasts” and cannot be whether physical or psychological”, has revealed that rape and defilement sexual violence has many harmful pushed out of school as result of forced married by local men, the commu- or (e) “subjected to corporal punish- were recorded after every two days in consequences, both short and long or early marriage, Female Genital Mu- nity’s tradition dictates. ment or to be treated or punished in a the region during this period. term, which include trauma, depres- tilation (FGM) and child labour prac- Education officials in the area say cruel, inhuman or degrading manner”. Often, it was a baby girl, a girl or sion, unwanted pregnancy, pelvic in- tices. Pregnancy and eventual early most girls from the community are With the new law, a lot of constitu- a woman who was subjected to the flammatory disease, infertility, STDs, marriage of the girls were mainly per- usually married off by their parents tionalism needs to be taken to Kuria, dehumanizing experience, which partial or permanent disability, HIV/ petrated by the victim’s fellow pupils in exchange of dowry immediately so they can understand that the Con- leaves the victims’ souls with lifetime Aids, suicide and death. “Psychologi- and students, their own teachers and after the cut, leading to massive drop- stitution is supreme to any other law scars, if they are lucky to survive the cal consequences of sexual violence roaming old men in villages. out of girls. including culture. ordeal. include fear, distrust, and anxiety, A civic leader in the region, Coun- Area MP Dr Wilfred Machage Kuria women who have been sub- According to the children’s de- feelings of guilt and shame, depres- cillor Peter Kihita from Kehancha who has been so critical about the jected to violence have room for re- partment in the area, about 300 cases sion and even thoughts of suicide,” Municipal Council blames teachers outdated practices has always told prieve because the Constitution says of sexual abuse were reported be- says Oloo. for the high dropout rate among the the provincial administration and the in Article 26 (5) that “to give full reali- tween January and December 2009. A national survey carried out on local girls. “Some teachers and staff police to arrest and prosecute parents sation of the rights guaranteed under “This is the number we handled in child abuse in Kenya in 2006 indicate in the ministry have formed habits who marry off their daughters. this article (on equality and freedom our office. We do not know the num- that nearly two out of 10 girls who of reducing the girls to their wives Hopefully with the new consti- from discrimination), the State shall ber of cases reported to the police have been raped or defiled become take legislative and other measures, during the same period to give you pregnant and close to three out of including but not limited to affirma- an accurate figure for the whole year,” 10 contract a sexually transmitted tive action programmes and policies, said Mr John Langat, area district infection. While national statistics indicate that every 30 designed to redress any disadvantaged children’s officer. Oloo says that survivors of sexual minutes a woman is sexually assaulted in Kenya, suffering by individuals or groups as a However, local police confirmed violence suffer from isolation, stigma- result of past discrimination. handling some 600 rape and other tization, poor performance at work, research has revealed that rape and defilement Civic education for women in forms of sexual harassment cases, in- absenteeism and financial difficulties. were recorded after every two days in the region Kuria is the key that will open the cluding abusive language and gestures, “The impact of sexual offences on doors that will bring violence against sexual advances, touching and grop- school girls is greater given that they during this period. women in the region to a stop. 8 Issue Number 12 • December 2010

Women in a celebratory mood after receiving credit from Kenya Women Finance Trust. By advancing loans to women and empowering them through their Community Development Committees, the development of rural areas stands a chance of improving economically. Picture: Correspondent MDGs better for empowering women …By Duncan Mboyah opment that the local communities well as lack of security and benefits. ing. Without the appropriate antiret- women in rural areas and has so far require. The committees also encour- While own-account work is roviral therapy women might decide reached 57,253 people — 37,395 mpowering women remains age members to form savings and male-dominated, women make up to not breastfeed their babies, putting women and 19,858 men,” Addo ex- a challenge even as the clock credit groups. the majority of contributing family them at a higher risk of serious illness- plained. ticks towards the end of the Poverty reduction initiatives have workers. In 2009, one in every four es such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. She said that WiLDAF in col- Millennium Development the best effects when they target employed women in the develop- Moreover, the option of breast milk laboration with local authorities has GoalsE (MDGs) target of 2015. women, because they are the most af- ing regions worked as a contributing formulae is often not feasible because also formed 135 committees in five Getting girls to attend school, get- fected, under-employed, and they are family worker, compared to only one of cost or unavailability. countries to train women on ways of ting women in decision making and the ones caring for children. in every nine employed men. The African Union and govern- combating domestic violence. leadership positions as well as creating The paucity of women in decision- It is imperative that such women ments within the continent have been The Executive Director of Wom- an enabling environment for women making positions contributed to dif- are given financial assistance to help asked to seriously involve women in en’s and Young Peoples Leadership to be economically independent re- ficulties in achieving gender equality them start their income generating all leadership positions. Academy (iCon), Ms Deborah Kad- mains a big test. in the conservative traditions in sub- activities of their choice. Women leaders have called on du-Serwadda commended the work However, the MDGS stand a bet- Saharan Africa. Even though a legal the region’s governments to ensure done by pioneer women leaders who ter chance of empowering women in framework to protect women’s rights Treatment that MDGs are achieved within the set up goals during the Beijing con- developing countries in sustaining exists in most countries, a presiden- Educated women are more likely period specified by the UN. ference in 1995. their own projects once it adopts bot- tial decree is needed to improve lack to decide on the timing and spacing Speaking at a Nairobi hotel dur- She said that it is such movements tom-up approach by using innovative of understanding on gender equality of births. Use of contraceptives is ing a side event meeting at the Afri- that have led to the changes that programmes to increase literacy rates among key decision makers that has highest among women with second- can Union’s Women and Gender De- women are enjoying today and not in marginalised communities. resulted in poor implementation of ary or higher education. Only 10 per velopment Directorate conference, necessarily the Millennium Develop- By advancing loans to local the social legislation. cent of women without education the women representatives said that ment Goals. women through their Community Civil society organisations can use contraceptives; this low percent- women in rural areas require quality “We need to re-commit ourselves Development Committees and not help in creating dialogue to promote age has remained unchanged since leadership to be able to change their by doing what is good for us in attain- necessarily through the loaning insti- the entry of women in national par- the mid 1990s. On the other hand, socio-economic development. ing more leadership positions in our tutions, the development of rural ar- liament, build a sustainable network the proportion of women with pri- Groots Kenya National Chair Ms countries,” she added. eas also standa chance of improving. between female politicians and civil mary or higher education who are Esther Muiru thanked the United society and develop capacity of deci- using contraceptives has increased. Nations for coming up with a purely Initiative Women’s group sion makers to address gender issues. In 2008, 45 per cent of pregnant women’s agency. Kaddu-Serwadda welcomed all A look at what women’s groups Achieving good maternal health women living with HIV in develop- “This is the first time that the development initiatives aimed at em- have achieved is a good example that for all women encompasses ensuring ing countries received antiretroviral world leaders are showing that they powering women through bottom- can be borrowed from the success sto- women transition safely from preg- therapy, up from 15 per cent in 2005. appreciate the role played by women up approach and not top-bottom. She ries of women’s groups all over Kenya. nancy to childbirth. This involves However, coverage is still insufficient in developing their countries since said such initiatives must also be free Under this initiative, women can delivery of a series of reproductive to prevent all mother-to-child infec- United Nations Development Fund of technocratic language that are not be given another loan after repaying health services and interventions for tions. An estimated 430,000 chil- for Women (UNIFEM) that was easily consumed by rural women. their first loan to start other invest- prevention and management of preg- dren were newly infected with HIV long thought to be a women’s agency The long-term objective for realis- ment depending with their priorities. nancy and childbirth complications. in 2008. Antiretroviral therapy can and has not done much in empower- ing the MDG goal on environmental This is the way to see development In the developing world, women substantially reduce the percentage ing women to become strong politi- conservation is for policy makers and under the MDGs if bottom-up ap- are more likely than men to work in of children infected in the womb and cally,” explained Muiru. planners to ensure that all current and proach is adopted. vulnerable employment — either as around the time of birth. According to Ms Loise Addo of upcoming public programmes work Local committees should be en- own-account workers or as contrib- Specific antiretroviral therapies Women in Law and Development in towards providing affordable, reliable couraged to support their members uting family workers — characterised also can protect women’s health and Africa (WiLDAF) West Africa, the and sustainable energy services. with income generating initiatives by low earnings and productivity as prevent contagion during breastfeed- organization has helped empower 60 Experts should demonstrate the and eco-friendly job skills training. percent of women in the region on best existing energy technologies that The members prioritise the commu- their human and legal rights. can be easily adopted by the poor and nity’s needs — access to essential ser- Poverty reduction initiatives have the best effects She said that out of the training by extension encourage people to vices such as health facilities and legal workshops, women farmers are now make the most of the energy sources assistance. They should also develop when they target women, because they are the allocated land in major commercial they use. an action plan to address them. most affected, under-employed, and they are the towns, something that was unthink- Over reliance on charcoal should The community based mecha- able several years ago. be reduced by adopting the using im- nism has proven to be highly effec- ones caring for children. “We have trained 243 legal litera- proved firewood stoves as a way of tive in promoting the kind of devel- cy volunteers who are working with reducing deforestation. 9 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Protecting the family through law

…By Jane Godia

he dictionary defines fam- ily as a group of people liv- ing under one roof. These are people who have a re- lationshipT either through blood or by certain actions like marriage. The family is the basic unit in society consisting of two or a single parent rearing children. However, within this family there are certain issues that need protection of the law for the unit to remain stable. To make the family stable as it is the foundation in which society stands, it remains imperative that laws touching on this unit be reformed as the country engages in constitution implementation. Nurturing The family is very important in our lives because it helps in shaping our lives and improving our per- sonality. It also teaches us the value of love, affection, care, truthfulness and self confidence. It also provides us with the tools and suggestions which are necessary for us. In almost all societies women remain the key to holding a family together. When a woman suffers the whole family suffers. When a woman dies, then most probably her family A family enjoys spending time together. The new Constitution provides the basis for family protection and also intends to will disintegrate. Her children will eliminate violence within the family. Picture: Internet run away from home and the man, if he is there will not be able to hold it together. It is the women, whether to the family. While old Constitution been the core of the Family Protec- that everyone understands the Con- Article 53 focuses on the chil- educated or illiterate, rich or poor hardly paid attention to issues that tion Bill. In Giving the objective of stitutional basis for family protec- dren not just in the context of the who take up the traditional roles of protected the woman and her chil- the bill in Clause 5 (a) says: The ob- tion. The Constitution sets out for family but in other spheres. Accord- the family needs of caring for and dren, women’s rights activists sought ject of the Act shall prevent violence the first time what Kenya’s core val- ing to Dwasi this is one area that has nurturing it. to have the bill published as it would in domestic relations hips by recog- ues are as a society.” a limitation the family Protection It is, therefore, important that give women space to fight for rights nising that domestic violence is all In article 10 (2)(b) states that: Bill. there must be laws and policies that within the family. its forms is unacceptable behaviour The national values and principles The new law also allows for help hold the family together. In this It is in this new thinking that and; of governance include human dig- equal rights in marriage and this case both man and woman must take the Federation of Women lawyers 5 (b) Ensuring that where do- nity, equity, social justice, inclusive- should also be included in the up responsibility for their marriage (FIDA) among other organisations mestic violence occurs, there is leg- ness, equality, human rights, non- Family Protection Bill. Equal right and children. When the responsibil- are working at harmonising the islative protection for the victims. discrimination and protection of the during marriage and at the point ity fails, there must be laws that pro- Family Protection Bill so that it is This is in harmony with the Con- marginalised.” of termination of marriage as well tect the family. This then calls for the aligned to the new Constitution. stitution which in Article 25 (a) says: The Constitution through this as equal access to the matrimonial Family Protection Bill. “Despite any other provision in this article provides the basis for family home is a boon for women within One of the major factors that af- Harmonisation Constitution, the following rights protection and also intends to elimi- the new law. fect the family greatly is violence. According to Ms Nancy Baraza, and fundamental freedoms shall not nate violence within the family. “These are details that need to be This is the case where the woman a member of the Kenya Law Re- be limited freedom from torture and It is also important to recognise incorporated within the Family Bill,” and her children are normally abused form Commission, the Family Bill cruel, inhuman or degrading treat- that within the Constitution, some reiterates Dwasi. physically, psychologically and emo- emanated from FIDA because the ment or punishment.” of the provisions are informed by tionally mainly by the male head of lawyers wanted to find solutions or By improving on this Bill it will cultural practices that foster domes- Challenges the household. The abuse goes on to a place for women to air their griev- then translate into good for the tic violence. It is important that the However, even as women seek the extent that the family members ances and find help. woman and for the family. Constitution deals with negative to improve of the Family Bill, they suffer. Unless laws are put in place to “Family Protection Bill came The basis of the Bill is to redress cultural practices that would foster need to beware of negative changes protect them, they end up suffering. about as there was need to critique some of the challenges that mem- domestic violence. that would come with the new Con- There is a lot of violence going our patriarchal society and also look bers of FIDA have come across on Article 59 looks at the advance- stitution. on in families and hence the need into ways of addressing domestic matters affecting the family. ment of human rights in private insti- For instance elimination of chiefs to curb it using laws of the land. violence,” explained Baraza. According to Ms Jane Dwasi, a tutions and this includes the family. who have been very instrumental in The law should be able to intervene Speaking to representatives of lecturer of law at the University of This provision allows encroaching on intervening in domestic violence immediately if one suffers violence women’s organisations that sought Nairobi, it is important that society domestic matters which previously would greatly affect women espe- from within the family. ways into which the Family Protec- turns to law whenever it is faced worked against women. The provi- cially in rural areas. Simply put, it is imperative that tion Bill could be enhanced, Baraza with problems. sion allows other persons other than “Chiefs have protected widows citizens are protected even within said it was imperative that the Bill is “The Family Protection Bill the victims themselves to take action. when their property is being taken the home. After breaking the culture harmonised with the new Constitu- therefore must be linked with provi- Article 59 (3) says: “Every person has away and in almost all cases where of silence on violence, then the law tion which recognizes the family. sions within the new Constitution. the right to complain to the Commis- widows are maltreated,” explains must take effect. Article 45 of the Constitution “There is now a constitutional basis sion alleging that a right or funda- Dwasi. She adds: “It is the chiefs who recognises the family as being natu- for many of the challenges that we mental freedom in the Bill of Rights had the legal right to protect women Family bill ral and fundamental. Section 1 says: have been faced with,” said Dwasi. has been denied, infringed, violated in the rural areas. We need to look The Family Protection Bill seeks “The family is the natural and fun- She added: “It is important or is threatened. at the role of chiefs in family protec- to have certain things within this en- damental unit of society and the tion.” tity protected by the rule of law. In necessary basis of social order and And as Kenya moves towards general, the Family Bill which was shall enjoy the recognition and pro- The Family Bill which was due for tabling implementation of the new law, due for tabling in Parliament before tection of the state.” Bills such as the marriage Bill; Fam- the promulgation of the Constitu- The Constitution, therefore seeks in Parliament before the promulgation of the ily Protection Bill: and Matrimonial tion needs to be revisited so that it is to protect the family in many of the Property Bill need to be revised to aligned with the new law. articles therein. Domestic violence Constitution needs to be revisited so that it is align them with the Constitution to The new Constitution as current- that remains a great impediment to aligned with the new law. get more protection for women and ly constituted gives a lot of emphasis women’s advancement, had initially children. 10 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Tanzania, almost but not yet there in women’s political empowerment …By Jane Godia (GGG) report. The 2010 GGG Index ranks the anzania is one country in country at 66th position, from 73rd Africa that has seen her last year, five points down the ladder. women picked for major The ranking covered 134 countries international jobs. These surveyed world-wide with regard to Tare particularly appointments where gender disparities based on imbal- the government has to lobby for ances in economic participation, edu- their candidate. cation, health and political empower- The United Nations Deputy Sec- ment. retary General, Dr Asha Rose Migiro In the East Africa region, Uganda is a Tanzanian. The immediate for- is the top performer in the global mer long serving Executive Director ranking this year at 33rd position, up of Habitat Dr Anna Tibaijuka is also from 40th last year, while Kenya has a Tanzanian. moved one position higher to 96th. Speakers Media blackout Out of the international sphere, In the just concluded General locally Tanzania made a mark on Elections, women were not visible in the African map when she picked a the campaigns. The media gave them woman as Speaker of the National a total blackout and only concentrat- Assembly. Ms Anne Makinda, 61, ed on a few male MPs. took the oath of office soon after the The only women visible in the President Jakaya Kikwete was sworn media were Mama Salma Kikwete, in. With her triumph, Tanzania joins wife of CCM presidential candidate the list of few countries that have had and incumbent Jakaya Kikwete and women speakers around the world. her Zanzibar counterpart who is wife Currently other African coun- of immediate former President Mr tries with speakers are Rwanda, Mo- Amani Abeid Karume. zambique, Botswana and Ghana. These women were out campaign- According to the Inter-Parlia- ing for the Presidential candidates and mentary Union, women occupy only CCM yet they got more space and air 15.3 per cent of the total number of time than candidates who were vying. over 268 posts of presiding officers of It was only when the immediate parliaments. former MP for Arusha Urban Dr Ba- Makinda from Chama Cha Map- tilda Buriani lost her seat and refused induzi was declared Speaker after to concede defeat that the media gave polling 265 votes to defeat the oppo- her attention. sition candidate and prominent advo- Just before the elections, the cate, Mr Mabere Marando, who man- Gender and Media Southern Africa aged to garner 53 votes. A total of 327 (GEMSA) noted that the media was MPs cast their ballots in the exercise not giving equal measure of space to in Dodoma, where the country has its women. In a workshop held in Tanza- Parliament, presided over by special nia, a survey of daily election stories seats MP, Ms Anna Abdallah. in local newspapers undertaken by Supporters during a political rally in Tanzania. Inset: a supporter with the party acronym painted on participants confirmed that the voic- her cheek. Despite Tanzania having affirmative action, women have not been able to make inroads on Mileage es of women politicians in the media elective political posts. Pictures: Courtesy of Julius Mucunguzi, Commonwealth Secretariat Generally Tanzania has given space are negligible compared to men, who to her women through Affirmative were found to dominate as sources 31 to 69, while a similar comparison en vying for Parliamentary posts. Out equality to be able to engage govern- Action. It is one country that stands and subjects of election stories. on ministerial positions was 27 to 73. of these five went in unopposed. ment among other players. out among those being counted as to While Tanzania has had affirma- The report reiterates that ratifi- While Chadema, the leading op- being gender sensitive. The country’s tive action running for a long time, cation of gender protocols should be position party had 180 candidates Civic education mixed constituency and proportional women have not been able to make in followed by action as well as a change but none in Zanzibar. Out of these, “We are creating awareness among representation system sets aside these roads on elective political posts. They of attitude by society towards wom- there were only 10 women candi- women so they can engage with politi- seats but also allows women to contest have almost failed to even go past the en to give them equal participation dates including those who were for cal parties and vie for seats,” explained for seats in the National Assembly. nomination stage. in politics, and all other spheres of special seats and four for competi- Rusimbi. The President has a constitutional life, starting from the family level. tive posts. Newly-declared victor for Kawe right to appoint others to represent Patriarchy Women must also be included in However, according to Ms Mary Constituency under Chadema ticket, minorities and political parties can Most women who vied for elec- all decision making levels of the econ- Rusimbi, executive director Tanza- Ms Halima Mdee was quoted in the vote for 75 women MPs on a basis of tive seats in the elections ended up be- omy because they already constitute nia Gender Network Programme Press after being declared winner say- proportional representation. About ing in the small insignificant parties. 90 per cent of the informal sector in (TGNP) despite there being an en- ing “politics was not a game for men a quarter of the parliament is not di- While there are many political parties many countries, the report states. abling positive environment, wom- alone and that everything was possible rectly elected. in the country, attitude towards the It further suggests that the health en have not been successful because with determination and support.” However, the Affirmative Action Chama Cha Mapinduzi which was sector should be revamped and sup- political participation has been cen- She added: “I hope my victory will is what has given the country mileage for a long time the only party have not ported financially so that it becomes tred around political parties. “If one encourage women to enter into poli- in gender ranking. Despite Tanzania changed. Most voters still face chal- easily accessible to both men and does not belong to a political party tics so that more women will in future having ratified several international lenges brought about by practicing pa- women. they are most likely to be left out,” contest for the various positions.” gender equality protocols, the coun- triarchy and cannot elect women. explains Rusimbi. TGNP has lobbied to influence try is yet to give women full access to Tanzania political parties still Opposition TGNP has been providing ongo- parties to have gender sensitive man- employment, economy and decision suffer the hangover that with the While the CCM even has a wom- ing civic education through public ifestos. Tanzania’s 30 per cent quota making organs. Gender disparities special seats women do not have to en’s wing and enjoys a lot of rural debates where they discuss various for women at national level is not in the said spheres have continued to go for elective positions. support, it has not prevailed upon issues. enough to close the gap unless po- widen, although the situation is slight- The Global Gender Gap Index its supporters to nominate women A coalition of more than 50 wom- litical parties put in place deliberate ly better than five years ago, accord- notes that in Tanzania the ratio of to elective positions. Out of over 239 en’s organisations, known as Feminist strategies to improve the lot of wom- ing to the latest Global Gender Gap women to men in parliament stood at candidates, there were only 27 wom- Activism Coalition worked on gender en politicians. 11 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 In praise of Africa’s woman president …By Dr Susan Kipketer-Chebet As we celebrate the African womanhood in the name of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, it is worth not- hile Africa cannot pride itself in ing that the process of achieving change cannot the same way as Latin America, be measured. Change is not visible and can only when it comes to women in de- be detected through the end products. cision making, she has a small Sirleaf must be a special celebrity person to Wspeck that is a cut above the rest. have been found suitable to occupy the highest Africa has written its own history in the seat on the land of an African country where election of a female president. Two perspectives the norm has been male domination. have come together to support this event. His- A political career of over 30 years at her age torically, a position of magnitude has not been cannot be underscored and remains a reminder dreamt of as going to a woman. of many challenges that have punctuated her History shifts to gender where Africa is adult life. known not to tolerate “women as leaders due That she was imprisoned in 1980s for hav- to social perspective”. In discussing the election ing criticised the military regime of the fierce of a woman president in Africa, care has to be Samuel Doe and later being charged for treason taken not to take the social perception of soci- during Charles Taylor’s time makes her truly an ety which determines roles played by men and ‘Iron Lady’. women. These roles are assigned according to gender and dictate who does what in the devel- Iron lady opment process. Sirleaf is not made of material of the faint “I wanted to bring motherly sensitivity and emotion to the The invisible interlinks of roles played by hearted or the cowards who are ready to retreat men and women in both family and society re- with the slightest mock exercise. She is made of presidency as a way of healing the nation’s wounds of war.” main the fabrics which, though cannot be seen, a strong will and determination that cannot be — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf are assumed to exist in strong bonds that hold broken by ordinary means. men and women together. This is evidenced Liberian political veterans nicknamed her psychological wounds. The women who formed a large constituency by the fact that outsiders visiting a community the ‘Iron Lady’. Her level of education and being It was from her campaign style that the popu- longed for change having witnessed their hus- in an African setting might be mistaken to as- a woman gave her an edge over her opponent in lation gave an indication that the next president bands, fathers, brothers and sons suffering in the sume there are no close relationships between the runoff, former football star, George Weah. must be a woman as she would use her feminin- war torn country for many years and could not men and women and that decisions are made The Africa of yesterday was known for ity to calm the troubled waters of Liberia. wait to see an end to it in the name of a new and through dictatorial directives by men with coups and counter coups as well as endless This is a time when everything must have caring woman president. women being passive participants. conflicts where brother turned against brother gone wrong and “a woman was needed to put Refuge fighting over scarce resources. things right” said one waitress. Leadership And Sirleaf took over a Liberian economy Sirleaf proclaimed she wanted to be presi- Like children running to their mother for By electing a female president, Africa has that had been shattered by war and persistent dent in order to “bring motherly sensitivity and refuge in times of danger, the people of Liberia re-written her history, changed culture and re- turmoil that could only be pieced together by emotion to the presidency” as a way of healing ran into the open hands of Sirleaf. oriented her image. The perception of a female the tender hands of a woman with gentle but the nation’s wounds of war. Sirleaf had experienced enough terror to president has imprinted a different image of the steady calls for peace and prosperity. Her success in being elected the first female make her defiant and strong willed if she had occupant of the highest position. president in Africa has demystified the male to fulfil her mission of restoring dignity to the The elevation of Her Excellency, President Healing dominance in this level of political leadership, people of Liberia. She had witnessed 15 peo- Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is not an act of force, coer- Sirleaf’s election was not her own achieve- having cut a picture different from the usual one ple pulled out of a prison cell and shot in cold cion or gender balance, rather it is a process that ment but rather the success of a people who had that portrays the norm in African tradition. blood. has been reached through change in culture and suffered tyranny and dictatorship. These were Patience From an earlier interview with Ann Curry, its attributes. Culture is not static but dynamic, a people only used to trouble, gunshots, street Sirleaf showed determination and a clear vision gradually changing the perceptions and under- demonstrations and complete restlessness of As Sirleaf continues to unpack her baggage of in the restoration plans for Liberia, which lost standing of society to appreciate that actors play men and women who would only breathe a sigh promises made during the electioneering period virtually everything during the 24 years of war. different roles that complement each other. of relief upon choosing a cool and temperate to the people of Liberia, the population should Ascension to power takes a combination of The election of Sirleaf as the first woman leader. remain as patient as children waiting for their multiple and complex processes, some invisible president in Africa may border on an act of mira- During her campaigns, Sirleaf found a des- mother to unpack presents upon arrival from a which must be ignored as every step counts, cle to some people but for others it tells that it has perate population who needed someone to hold long journey. everything matters and so do remaining at the reached a time when culture has been affected their hands and move on to build the country’s Sirleaf found fertile ground for change in the top. Long live Africa, long live Liberia and long by change and has to accommodate perceptions economy. Someone who would comfort them, people of Liberia who had undergone devastat- live Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. that were not considered possible earlier. uplift their spirits and heal their physical and ing moments in their private and public lives. The writer is a lecturer at Moi University. Africa’s stable of women vice presidents grows bigger …By KenyanWoman Correspondent as for women in the region. in women’s representation, up 17.1 percent goolam has nominated several women to top Oh San Bellepeau has a long history of so- to 18.8 percent. The country uses a constitu- posts, signalling a commitment to fall in line s more and more women seeking cial activism and a good grasp of the media, tional or first-past-the-post electoral system with the regional move toward 50/50 repre- space in high positions of gover- having worked at the Mauritius Broadcast- which is often seen as a hindrance to women sentation by 2015. nance and decision, Africa is trying ing Corporation in the 1960s. She was also a candidates, especially in countries that do not For the first time Mauritius has a woman to give itself a name by having more junior minister at the Ministry of Rural and use quotas to ensure women’s representation. minister of health and the name of the Min- womenA at the vice presidential level. Urban Development from 1995 to 2000. In Mauritius has 12 percent women in cabinet istry of Women’s Rights has been changed to Mauritius has appointed for the first time, 2009, she was given the distinction of Grand and just 6.4 percent women in local govern- The Ministry of Gender Equality. Also, the a woman vice president, Ms Monique Oh San Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the ment: one of the lowest in the region. government has created a Ministry of Social Bellepeau. It joins Malawi with Joyce Banda, Indian Ocean (G.O.S.K) for services in social Rwanda, which now leads globally as far Integration and ensured 30 percent parlia- Gambia with Aisatou N’jie Saidie and Zimba- and political fields. The nomination of Oh as national women’s representation, has 56 mentary private secretaries are women. Mau- bwe with Joice Mujuru. San Bellepeau is in line with Section 16 of the percent representation. South Africa is ranked ritius is due to hold its local government elec- For Africa, this comes as a plus considering Constitution of Mauritius, which guarantees second in Africa with 43 percent women in tions in December. that many presidents hardly appoint women as gender equality, as well as Articles 12-13 of the parliament. Unfortunately two countries — A number of women have served previ- their deputies. Neither do the presidential can- Southern African Development Community Botswana and Namibia — went backwards ously as vice presidents. Among them is Dr didates think of picking women as their run- (SADC) Protocol on Gender Development, in recent elections, with Botswana now the Specioza Kazibwe of Uganda who was the first ning mates. which calls for equal representation of women SADC country with the lowest proportion of African woman to serve as Vice President. The Mauritius has gone through 40 years of and men in political decision making by 2015. women in government. others have been Phumzile Ngcuka and Baleka independence and two decades of Republic, However, Mauritius has yet to sign or Speaking to the media after her nomina- Mbete both of South Africa as well as Alice her nomination is a strong sign that gender ratify the SADC Protocol because its leaders tion, Oh San Bellepeau said: “The Prime Min- Nzomukunda and Marina Barampama both of equality is high on the agenda of the present have argued that the country’s Constitution ister believes in the capacity of women and Burundi. government. It is also a victory for gender ac- disallows affirmative action. Recent elections wants women to go forward.” Since the May — Extra information courtesy of Gender- tivists and Mauritian women at large, as well in Mauritius in May 2010 saw a small increase elections Prime Minister Navinchandra Ram- links 12 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Brazil elects “I reiterate my fundamental promise: the eradication of poverty. first female We must not rest while there are Brazilians going hungry.” president — Dilma Rousseff

ilma Rousseff has been ease the task of pushing her legislative elected president of Brazil agenda. to succeed Luiz Inacio Lula Rousseff’s victory owed much to da Silva, electoral officials the extraordinary popularity of the Dhave confirmed. outgoing President, who endorsed her Rousseff, 62, who has never before as his successor from the start. held elected office, becomes the coun- It wasn’t the outright first round try’s first woman president. She prom- win Lula had hoped for, but in the end ised to “honour the trust” Brazilians he has managed to ensure his preferred had put in her and work to eliminate successor, was elected. poverty saying she had been given the most important mission of her life. Delivery Rousseff was the preferred succes- Jose Serra’s campaign was an uphill sor of President Lula, who is leaving af- struggle against a president boasting ap- ter two terms with record popularity. proval ratings of about 80 percent. But Thousands of supporters of the even though the second round cam- governing Workers’ Party took to the paign was heated, with many personal streets across Brazil to celebrate her attacks and corruption allegations, the victory. candidates didn’t differ much in what they had to offer to voters, nor go into Victory great detail over their programmes. The Superior Electoral Court said Brazilians are trusting that Rous- that with almost all the votes counted, seff will be able to build on Lula’s social she had won 56 percent against 44 per- and economic achievements. But they cent for her rival, Jose Serra of the So- do not have a clear picture of the first cial Democratic Party. woman to be elected for the highest of- Although voting is compulsory in fice in the country. Brazil, there was a high rate of absten- Lula, who has to step down after tion at 21.5 percent. completing the maximum allowed two The second round of voting was consecutive terms, said he would not forced after Rousseff fell short of the 50 interfere in her government. percent needed in the October 3 first “Rousseff will have ‘to form a gov- Dilma Rousseff: round, winning 47 percent to Serra’s 33 ernment in her own image. I only hope percent. In her victory speech, she said she achieves more than I did’,” he said her first priority would be to lift 20 mil- after casting his vote. Brazil’s president-elect lion Brazilians out of poverty. He added that he would not be at- “I reiterate my fundamental prom- tending public victory celebrations be- few months ago Dilma Brazil’s infrastructure. Mr Lula, a man of the people and a ise: the eradication of poverty,” she said. cause “this is her party”. Rousseff was not exactly Rousseff also headed the board consummate politician. “We must not rest while there are Bra- Rousseff paid tribute to her men- a household name, even of Brazil’s oil company Petrobras Rousseff has a somewhat zilians going hungry.” tor, saying: “I will be knocking on his inside Brazil. She was a and was responsible for drafting brusque manner and is reputed to door often, which, I’m sure, will always career civil servant who had never much of the legislative framework have a short temper — attributes Progress be open.” A held nor run for elected office. for the exploration of the country’s that have, perhaps unsurprisingly, Rousseff said her election as the “Succeeding Lula would be ‘difficult Now, in a major leap to the top offshore oilfields. led to her being dubbed the Iron country’s first female leader was a sign and challenging,” she said, “but I know job, she has become the first woman During the election campaign, Lady. of the democratic progress Brazil had how to honour his legacy. I know how to be elected Brazil’s president. And Mr Lula also referred to her con- Dilma Rousseff was born in made. to consolidate and advance his work”. Rousseff has been dubbed “mother stantly as “mother of the nation” 1947 and grew up in an upper mid- Her priority now was to make sure Defeat of the nation” by outgoing Presi- — an image picked up and glossily dle class household in Belo Hori- that such equality of opportunity be- dent Lula. embellished in her TV election ad- zonte. Her father, Pedro Rousseff, tween men and women became the A former Marxist rebel who was But if many Brazilians, and the vertisements. was a Bulgarian immigrant. norm at every level. jailed and tortured in 1970-1972 for re- wider world, have to date known Rousseff made it clear that she Her seemingly conventional “I would like parents who have sisting military rule, Rousseff trained as little about her, she is very familiar represented continuity with the Lula background changed in the mid- daughters to look straight in their eyes an economist and worked her way up with Brazil’s corridors of power. government, under which millions 1960s, when she was in her late and tell them: ‘Yes, a woman can’.” through local and state governments. Rousseff, 62, joined President of Brazilians saw their standard of teens. She became involved in left- Rousseff, who will be sworn in on She joined Lula’s cabinet as Energy Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s govern- living rise. wing politics and joined the under- January 1, 2011, is expected to continue Minister in 2003-2005 and then be- ment in 2003 as Energy Minister. She is known to favour a strong ground resistance to the military the left-leaning policies of Lula, with came his chief of staff. In 2005, after a corruption scan- state role in strategic areas, includ- dictatorship that seized power in emphasis on government efficiency, For Jose Serra, this is the second dal brought down key government ing banking, the oil industry and 1964. expanding the role of the state in some time he has been defeated in a presi- figures, Lula made her his chief of energy. She has said that she was never sectors such as mining, and upgrading dential run-off, after losing to Lula in staff, a post she held until March She has also promised to tackle actively involved in armed opera- the country’s decrepit infrastructure. 2002. 2010, when she launched her cam- Brazil’s complicated tax system. tions, but in 1970 she was jailed for She will also oversee a huge expan- He has congratulated Rousseff and paign for the presidency as the But if she is to achieve this and three years and tortured. sion of Brazil’s oil industry, following said he hoped she would work for the Workers Party (PT) candidate. other reforms, she will need to Rousseff is twice divorced and the discovery of major offshore fields good of the country. Lula dubbed her “the mother quickly acquire political and nego- has one daughter. In August, she that should make Brazil one of the He said: “I proudly battled the pres- of the PAC”, a reference to the gov- tiating skills to get her political pro- became a grandmother. world’s top 10 oil exporters. ident. To those of us imagining we’re ernment’s economic development gramme through Congress. In 2009, she was treated for and She can count on strengthened defeated: We have only started the real project responsible for spending One of the major challenges recovered from lymphatic cancer. majorities for the governing coalition fight.” billions of dollars on upgrading she faces is the fact that she is not — Picked from BBC News in both houses of Congress to help — Picked from BBC News Website 13 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 The women presidents of Latin America

atin America is setting the pace by electing women as their presidents, one election She stepped down in March 2010 with a popularity rating of more than 80 percent, as the Chil- after another. The region has recognized leadership qualities in their women and are ean Constitution does not allow a second consecutive presidential term. empowering them to take the leadership mantles. Brazil becomes the latest kid on the She is currently head of a new United Nations agency working on gender issues, called UN block having elected Dilma Rousseff, making her the country’s first female president. Women. LBBC News profiles the women presidents of the region - both past and present. Mireya Moscoso, Dilma Rousseff, President of Panama 1999-2004 Brazil 2010 Mireya Moscoso won presidential elections in May Dilma Rousseff of the ruling Workers’ Party has just been 1999, and was in charge a year later for the US hand over of elected president of Brazil — a nation of almost 200 million the Panama canal. people, and a rising global power. She is the widow of three-time president Arnulfo Arias. She is a career diplomat, and was — until running for the She began her political career after her husband’s death. presidency — chief of staff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Moscoso came from a poor, rural background, and Silva; before that she was energy minister. Lula gave her his trained as an interior designer. She promised to work to full backing during the campaign and she has promised to reduce poverty in Panama. However, her presidency was continue his policies. dogged by allegations of corruption. Those who know Rousseff describe her as a “tough cook- ie”, and as a determined, pragmatic woman who likes to get things done. One of her nick-names is ‘the iron lady’. Rosalia Arteaga, She is said to be astute, with a strategic, logical mind. interim President of Ecuador 1997 Her father was an immigrant from Bulgaria, and her Rosalia Arteaga acted as interim president of Ecuador mother a school teacher. for just two days in February 1997, when the former lead- While a student in the 1960s, she joined the left-wing armed resistance against the military er, Abdala Bucaram, was declared unfit to govern. dictatorship. She was vice-president before that. Although she says she was never involved in violence herself, she was seen as a key figure Arteaga ran for the presidency in elections in 1998, but within the movement. She was arrested and held for three years, during which time she was got only a small share of the vote. tortured. Rousseff was released in 1973, resumed her studies in economics, and then joined the civil service. Violeta Chamorro, President of Nicaragua 1990-1997 Laura Chinchilla, Violetta Chamorro beat the incumbent Daniel Ortega in President of Costa Rica 2010 elections, to become president of Nicaragua in April 1990. Laura Chinchilla was sworn in as president of Costa Rica She was the candidate for the National Opposition Union in May, this year, after a conclusive victory in elections in — a coalition of parties that ran against the Sandinistas. Her February. She is with the centrist National Liberation Party, bid was backed by the US, who lifted sanctions on the country and was vice-president under her predecessor, Oscar Arias. after her election. Chinchilla has held several government posts and comes Chamorro comes from a wealthy family and was educat- from a political family. She studied in Costa Rica and at ed abroad, including in the US. She entered politics after her Georgetown University in the US. Chinchilla is regarded as husband Pedro Joaquin Chamorro —who had been editor of a social conservative, and is opposed to gay marriage and an anti-government newspaper — was assassinated. She took abortion. over as editor of the paper after his murder. She has promised to continue with the free-market poli- She is credited for helping bring stability and peace to Nicaragua. cies of former president Arias, and to expand on Costa Rica’s free trade deals. Lidia Gueiler Tejada, interim President of Bolivia, 1979-1980 Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Lidia Gueiler Tejada was interim president of Bolivia President of Argentina 2007- from 1979 to 1980. She was chosen to run the country af- Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner swept to victory in ter inconclusive elections and the ousting of the temporary the first round of Argentina’s presidential election in Oc- president Walter Guevara. tober 2007. She was to lead Bolivia until fresh elections, but she her- She took over the presidency from her husband self was removed in a coup before they were held. Nestor Kirchner.The two worked closely together, and She trained as an accountant, and worked as a Member were dubbed “the Clintons of the South”. of Congress and as president of the Chamber of Deputies Mr Kirchner died of a heart attack at the age of 60 in before being interim leader. October 2010. She later worked as Bolivian Ambassador to a number Christina Fernandez has a long track-record in poli- of countries. tics dating back to the late 1980s. She has worked in the regional parliament, the national parliament, and as a Isabel Peron, Senator. President of Argentina 1974-1976 She studied law at university, and is known for her work campaigning on human rights and Isabel Peron was the first woman president in Latin women’s rights. America. She took over as president of Argentina when her husband — the three-time president Juan Domingo Peron Michelle Bachelet, — died in office in 1974. President of Chile 2006-2010 Isabel Peron was his third wife, and they married sev- Michelle Bachelet was inaugurated as president of eral years after the death of the much-loved First Lady Eva Chile for the Socialist Party in March 2006. Peron. She had previously been Chile’s Defence Minister Known to Argentineans as “Isabelita”, Peron was a for- — the first woman to hold that post in Latin America mer cabaret dancer. — and also health minister. During her presidency, there were numerous labour She studied military strategy and is trained as a strikes, and hundreds of political murders. paediatrician and an epidemiologist. Isabel Peron was removed in a military coup in 1976, In 1970s, in the early days of Augusto Pinochet’s and held under house arrest for several years before mov- rule, her father was held on charges of treason. Bache- ing to Spain. let and her mother were also detained and tortured, In 2007, Argentina issued an international arrest warrant for her, over her alleged links to a before going into exile. right-wing paramilitary group, which operated during her rule. As health minister Bachelet caused a stir in Argentinean authorities also wanted to question her over the disappearance of two men. staunchly Catholic Chile by allowing the free distribu- Spain rejected the extradition request; the court there ruled that there was insufficient evidence tion of the morning after pill for victims of sexual abuse. against her. 14 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Cases of obstetric fistula on the increase Call for investment as attention is drawn to a disfiguring condition …By Duncan Mboyah geon at Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya loses over 1,000 pa- eproductive health prob- tients to fistula every year due to lack lems remain the leading of fistula specialists, equipments and cause of ill health and bad roads that make accessing hos- death for women of child- pital in time a big problem. Rbearing age in Kenya and other de- Save for the training sessions veloping countries. organised by African Medical Re- One of the leading reproductive search Foundation (AMREF) under health problems that women en- the “stop the tap” project in 2006, no counter, especially at child birth is organisation — not even government prolonged and obstructed labour. — is involved in retraining of health practitioners on management of ob- Obstructed labour stetric fistula. Obstructed labour is one of the While in many communities fis- leading causes of maternal mortal- tula is treated as a curse and survi- ity in the developing world. It oc- vors stigmatised, the condition can curs when a woman undergoes pro- be corrected through reconstructive longed and delayed labour without surgery. Most women can be treated receiving timely medical care. and the injury repaired. With appro- The pressure of the baby’s head, priate psychosocial care, the women obstructed labour, can cause exten- are reintegrated into their commu- sive damage to the mother’s organs nities. and particularly in her pelvis. The damage could also leave the woman Few facilities with a hole between vagina and blad- However, there are a few health- der, or vagina and rectum that con- care facilities that are able to provide stantly leaks urine or faeces. high-quality fistula treatment owing The hole that is formed between to the limited number of health-care the bladder and the vagina, or the professionals with the appropriate rectum and the vagina after a woman skills. suffers from prolonged or obstructed- “We have only five specialists on labour is known as obstetric fistula. fistula treatment hence this short- age is making life more unbearable Neglect to women from remote parts of the Although the condition has country like West Pokot, Tana River been eliminated in the developed and Lamu where fistula cases are world, obstetric fistula continues common,” explains Chirchir. to afflict the most impoverished He says African women are prone women and girls, majority of whom to the problem due to the fact that live in rural and remote areas of their pelvis are narrow compared to the developing countries. Histori- that of women from the west. A woman in West Pokot draws water from a river. Many young women from this region form a huge percentage cally, obstetric fistula has been a “Even though obstetric fistula is of those who are survivors of obstetric fistula.Picture: Correspondent neglected reproductive health and one of the most devastating conse- human rights issue. quences of neglect during child birth ing in depression, low self-esteem Putting an end to obstetric fistula health services and basic education. And it has caught the eye of and an example of health inequity in and, in some cases, suicide,” he notes. necessitates addressing its medical The cost of health care can be fi- world leaders including United Na- the developing world, the good thing and socio-economic determinants, nancially prohibitive for poor and tions Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki is that 72 percent of the cases can be Key areas from access to quality maternal health low-income families, especially when Moon who says that there is urgent corrected,” reiterates Chirchir. In addition, lack of preparedness services to the elimination of gender- complications such as obstructed la- need for $750 million to treat 3.5 He observes that prolonged ob- and deficiencies in other infrastructure based social and economic inequities; bour occur. million women by 2015. structed labour causes low blood flow including in the areas of transport and preventing child marriage and early “Obstetric fistula is one of the most to the tissues hence causing dead tis- communications, further compound childbearing; and providing equita- Commitment devastating consequences of neglect sues. the difficulty of accessing maternal ble access to sexual and reproductive Efforts of the international com- during childbirth and a stark example and reproductive health services. munity and the United Nations to ad- of health inequity in the world,” he says Stigma Women’s access to health care dress it, draws attention to the urgent in a report to the General Assembly. Fitsula leaves women with health is further made illusive by the de- need for a commitment to address Moon calls for intensified invest- problems that include chronic leak- lay in seeking care; delay in arriving the issue of obstetric fistula within ment in cost-effective interventions, age of urine or faeces. However, at a health-care facility and delay in the context of the broader efforts be- including surgery, to address the they also experience neurological receiving adequate care once at the ing made towards the achievement problem that afflicts women with disorders and orthopaedic injury, health facility. of Millennium Development Goal the leakage of bodily wastes. bladder infections, painful sores, Emphasis must be put on pre- 5, on improving maternal health and Apart from surgery, Moon stresses kidney failure and infertility. ventive programmes such as the achieving universal access to repro- prevention, noting that the condition In some cases, traditional birth protection of vulnerable groups, en- ductive health by 2015. is almost entirely preventable when attendants are to blame as they nor- suring skilled attendants at delivery The World Health Organization there is universal and equitable access mally do not know where the blad- and improving access to quality ma- (WHO) estimates that each year some to quality maternal and reproductive der is located in a woman’s womb. ternal health services. 50,000 to 100,000 women worldwide health services. The same interven- Obstetric fistula is widely report- Communities too must be en- are affected by obstetric fistula, a fig- tions that prevent maternal mortality ed in West Pokot where culture bars gaged to address issues such as harm- ure that may be an underestimate, can also prevent maternal morbidity. women from delivering in health fa- ful traditional practices, providing “The fact that they may as it is based on facility data, and a The Secretary General notes that cilities due to the fact that they will appropriate information, education, find it difficult to maintain significant number of impoverished the interventions have the most im- be attended to by men. communication and counselling to women from rural and remote areas portant and immediate impact on The smell from the constant leak- help gain societal commitment to en- a source of income, in developing countries who experi- maternal death and disability; family age combined with misperceptions sure safe pregnancy and delivery. thereby deepening their ence complicated labour are likely planning; attendance during child- about its cause often results in stigma Chirchir, however, notes the im- never to reach a hospital. birth by skilled health personnel such and ostracism by communities lead- portance of post operation care and poverty is made worse by The United Nations Population as a midwife as well as emergency ing to the abandonment of many total abstinence for a period of six feelings of isolation that Fund (UNFPA) leads the global obstetric care, in particular Caesar- women by their husbands and fami- months after the operation. Campaign to End Fistula with a ean sections. lies as the women cannot participate He recommends that further affect their mental health, wide range of partners. Since 2003 Early marriage is also an issue with in daily family and community life. pregnancies for the victims should be resulting in depression, the agency provided support to 47 adolescent girls particularly at risk for “The fact that they may find it dif- delivered through caesarean section countries, resulting in fistula treat- obstetric fistula at a much higher rate ficult to maintain a source of income, operation. Chirchir explains: “For the low self-esteem and, in ment and care for some 16,000 wom- than women in their twenties. thereby deepening their poverty is affected women to recover fully, there some cases, suicide.” en and the training of thousands of According to Dr Amon Chirchir, made worse by feelings of isolation is need for psychological counselling health-care personnel in prevention a gynaecologist and obstetric sur- that affect their mental health, result- and social support.” — Dr Amon Chirchir and management. 15 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Red hot pepper empowers women farmers …By Robert Nyagah at times becomes increasingly hot A woman sorts freshly and unbearable with the soil dry harvested pepper. Below: s the Sabaki River mean- and held together by mere shrubs, women harvesting pepper ders lazily through sec- horticultural crops like tomatoes, on a farm in Malindi. tions of the dry, bare and cowpeas kales and cabbages are Pepper farming along the extensive chunks of land, finding their way into irrigated River Sabaki has become a fromA a distance a group of women plots in the area to finally earn the lucrative business. in total concentration can be seen in farmers money. Picture: Robert Nyagah the foreground inside a plot thickly The launch of the Kakoneni Ir- covered by a green and red coloured rigation Scheme, some 50 kilome- plantation. tres North of Malindi town along which exports the produce to various Carrying small plastic containers, the River Sabaki under the govern- European countries. the women on separate occasions in- ment initiative of the Rapid Results The Malindi District Agricultural dividually walk towards the edges of Initiative (RRI) has seen the start of Officer Mr Musa Baabu confirms in a the vegetation and pour some pro- an interesting and profitable pepper report that “since the project started, duce into bigger containers, before growing project. The project’s objec- farmers at the Kakoneni Irrigation returning to continue their work. tive has been fruitful because the Scheme have so far sold 11.25 metric From their activities one would required results, that the harvest of tonnes of the African Birds eye chil- think there are just playing but these the first crop came before 100 days lies worth KSh674,000 to Equator women, who are about 40, are smil- elapsed. Products (K) Limited”. ing all the way to the Bank following The women farmers who initially He adds: “Other crops in the their acceptance of pepper farming lacked any serious source of income scheme such as maize, tomatoes, kales, among other horticultural produce and only tried unsuccessful basic bananas, cowpeas and green grams rarely associated with the dry area. farming along the Sabaki River to- have collectively earned the farmers day have come together in women’s more than KSh1 million.” Chilli farming groups and put 7.5 acres of land un- Kahindi points out that a num- Welcome to this normally dry der pepper farming. ber of farmers abandoned the project fits as indicated by the leading farmer The two firms provide seeds to area of Kakoneni location along the due to the frequent break down of the Mrs Kache Kenga who explains that farmers as part of their social respon- River Sabaki in Kilifi County where Improved income main generator. When the generator due to the good income at domestic sibility. The produce from Homa Bay members of a women’s group are Josephine Kache, 45, a widow failed some crops would be at risk of level, her husband had to abandon is shipped to Amsterdam before it is earning thousands of shillings from and a mother of three is happy with drying unless the farmers fetched wa- his often dangerous work of palm transported to Germany, Mace Foods chilli exports. The pepper production the project. “Since I joined the other ter manually in plastic containers to wine tapping and join her in pepper headquarters. has empowered the women econom- women in the growing of pepper, the plots, a task that is demanding. farming. Estimates indicate that a kilo- ically and many of them are finan- my income has improved and today Apart from the profits accrued African Bird’s Eye chilly which has gramme of dry chilli sells at KSh100 cially independent. I am able to provide for my family from direct sale of pepper, at least 40 also gained popularity in other parts and if a farmer delivers 10 kilo- Through the edges of the land with the basics without having to people earn reasonable income from of Kenya has a ready market in Eu- grammes a week, she could easily earn dominated by this particular crop, beg from relatives or work in other the fees paid to them as wages after rope despite being the smallest type of KSh1,000 which is paid on the spot. bright red produce in containers at- people gardens for meagre pay- being hired to harvest the produce. chilli, which is about a centimetre long tracts the eyes of any visitor approach- ments.” and red in colour when ripe. Demand ing the women. The sudden discovery The women have also been Water supply Equator Kenya has a buying cen- Last year alone, Mace Foods col- that the produce is chilli is pleasantly joined by men who have seen how Kahindi, however, says there is tre in Malindi while Mace Foods lected 14 tonnes of chillies from Homa surprising given that the crop is rarely lucrative the pepper farming is. Kar- need for the Government to consider based in Düsseldorf, Germany, has a Bay despite the fact that the crop was associated with this part of the Kilifi isa Iha confesses he had to abandon digging boreholes and dams in the branch in Homa Bay town. introduced late in the year. By end of County. his charcoal burning and trade busi- area to encourage expansion of land Across Malindi and Homa Bay ar- March this year, farmers had delivered Since the project started towards ness and join his wife in taking care under pepper production. eas, the responsible firms have agron- six tonnes, a move which they describe the end of last year, the women op- of the pepper as the earning is better A steady supply of water to vari- omists who advise farmers on farm- as impressive. erating in groups have sold 11.25 and less demanding than charcoal ous plots would reduce the demand- ing and marketing of the crop which The chilli is of high quality in metric tonnes of African Birds Eye burning. ing task of fetching water from the only requires four months to mature the sense that its pong is high and its Chillies (Abel) worth KSh674,000 to Initial earnings for a group at each river for irrigating the crops especial- from seed to fruit. It takes about a colour lively red, which sells fast in Equator Products (K) Limited, firm small plot stood at KSh200,000 during ly when the water pump generator month at the nursery and once trans- the EU. No chemicals are used, and which operates in Malindi. the first harvest but today the project failed as it frequently did. planted, it takes about three months this makes the Kenyan pepper stron- The women are defying the tra- has expanded and has potential for There have been interesting bene- to be harvested. ger in the foreign market. The high ditional assumption that the soil in expansion through individual plots temperatures enables the chilli to dry the area can yield nothing of serious where direct income encourages more without developing any aflatoxins economic value especially because hard work. which would otherwise compromise of the long periods they go without “Since I joined the other women in the growing its quality. Kenya is taking advantage rain. Market of pepper, my income has improved and today I of the current suspension from the EU Another assumption being open- The chairperson of the Kakone- market of Asian chilli. ly challenged by the women is that ni Pepper Farmers Association Mr am able to provide for my family with the basics But that not withstanding, Kenya only a few traditional horticultural Charo Kahindi says the farmers had without having to beg from relatives or work in is rated second in quality chilli pro- and food crops normally do well within the first harvest managed to duction in the EU market and the de- closer to the River during the rains. sell at least three tonnes of pepper. other people gardens for meagre payments.” mand has been increasing. Farmers Apart from chillies, the now The groups have a ready mar- must work hard and take advantage dominant crop here where the sun ket locally through Equator Kenya, — Josephine Kache of the readily available market. 16 Issue Number 12 • December 2010 Why women’s inclusion is important in the Sudan referendum

he African Union has de- making processes. Yet, up to now, or other decision-making processes clared 2010 the Year of women are almost invisible. in Sudan. Peace and Security in Af- Following April’s elections in Thus far, the work of Mbeki rica and has launched the Sudan, only two of 35 cabinet min- and his panel has demonstrated AfricanT Decade of Women. What isters and six of 42 ministers of state an understanding of why Sudanese better opportunity to act on these are women. There are no women women need to be at the forefront pledges than at the 15th African …By Wangari Maathai at the decision-making level in of all conflict-resolution processes, Union Summit, Kampala, Uganda. the Darfur negotiations at Doha in Darfur and across Sudan. This The upcoming referendum in — a process that is plagued by commitment to women’s leadership Sudan gives African leadership problems and proving to be inef- must be renewed and acted upon as an opportunity to demonstrate its fectual. And now there is a con- the panel’s work on the referendum commitment to improving the lives spicuous lack of women in formal moves forward. of women on this continent by en- leadership positions for the refer- The panel — and the African suring that they actively and freely endum. Indeed, of the nine people leaders supporting Mbeki and his participate in the referendum. appointed by the Sudanese govern- colleagues — have a historic oppor- Southern Sudanese will go to referendum will impact the future of people to ensure an inclusive, trans- ment to the Referendum Commis- tunity to demonstrate their support the polls in January 2011, to decide millions of Africans. parent and comprehensive process. sion, there is only one woman. to Sudanese women. whether to remain a part of a uni- Recently the Sudanese govern- The referendum will be dealing with This is far from the 30 percent In declaring 2010 the Year of fied Sudan or secede and become ment appointed the African Union issues that are of vital consequence advocated by Mbeki and his panel, Peace and Security in Africa, the Africa’s newest country. Given that High Level Panel for Implementation to the people of Sudan, including the 25 percent demanded by the AU set the gauntlet to take extraor- Sudan is Africa’s largest country — in Sudan led by former South Africa the division of national economic Comprehensive Peace Agreement dinary measures to engage in ac- bordered by nine countries, also President Thabo Mbeki to facilitate resources, the redefining of citizen- and well below international stan- tivities to promote and consolidate plagued by conflict, rampant cor- negotiations on Sudan’s referendum. ship, and border demarcation. The dards. peace processes across the conti- ruption and stunted development Mbeki and the panel are charged process must be, above all, inclusive. The year 2010 not only marks nent. — it behoves our leaders to prior- with leading negotiations between the start of the African Union De- What better time is there for the itise Sudan. the ruling National Congress Party Frontline cade of Women but also the 10-year AU to demonstrate its commitment News coming out of Sudan in the and the Southern Sudanese Libera- And an integral part of the re- anniversary of United Nations Se- to Sudan’s peace process by demand- last few months paints a bleak pic- tion Movement in the south on all sponsibility to be inclusive is ensur- curity Council’s resolution 1325, ing greater space for Sudanese wom- ture: the security situation in Darfur outstanding issues in the lead up to ing that those most affected by the which mandates women’s full par- en to play a vital role? is deteriorating, the Darfur peace the referendum. referendum have a voice — namely, ticipation in peace processes. In Courtesy of IPS negotiations in Doha, Qatar, are Mbeki and the panel have a big Sudanese women. Achieving lasting short, there is simply no excuse for The writer is the 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate, founding board member of the barely limping along, and the recent responsibility. peace and security in Sudan is not women’s exclusion from current Nobel Women’s Initiative and a member national elections were well below They must support the Suda- possible without women’s full inclu- peace negotiations on Darfur — of the Advisory Council for the AU Year of international standard. The Sudan nese government and the Sudanese sion and especially within decision- nor from the upcoming referendum Peace and Security. Kenya to benefit from GMO production …By Duncan Mboyah With the trials currently going on at the Kenya Agricultural Research s South Africa continues Institute (KARI) on maize, cotton, to export their Genetical- cassava and sweet potato, there is a ly Modified agricultural high possibility that the country is products such as maize, heading to GMO production and Aresearchers now say that Kenya too could easily be an exporter. could be on the beneficiary list once “Kenyan farmers must first stop it adopts the technology. viewing maize merely as food crop, With the food insecurity already but also as a cash crop so that farm- ravaging most parts of sub-Saharan ers may target foreign markets,” she Africa hence forcing countries to im- added during an Open Forum on Bio- Women plough a sugarcane farm in the Nandi Escarpment. With the current declining food security, most port food mainly maize and beans, technology (OFAB) at a Nairobi hotel. countries are being forced into importing food. Picture: Ajanga Khayesi the application of biotechnology could be of a solution to the solving Technology problems brought about by pests and Kenya and other developing coun- be further enhanced if Kenya adopts currently presents a huge domestic the hope that the crops could help deal other diseases that wipe out millions tries have poor crop yield due to their the new technology in agricultural market that needs some research to with some problems that farmers face of crops yearly. attitude towards adopting the new development. The advantages of the ascertain whether it should be grown and lead to increase in yield. “South Africa has enough maize technology. agricultural technology can readily in plenty. According to the Coordinator and also exports the surplus to coun- Kenya, just like the United States be seen on how tissue culture ba- Kimani calls for a study to be of the Programme Coordinator for tries like Kenya because they adopt- and South Africa can realise develop- nana has succeeded. done on the viability of canola as Biosafety Systems (PBS) in Kenya, ed biotechnology early enough, “said ment from its agricultural produce Kimani says the introduction of an alternative source of edible oil Mr David Wafula plans are almost Ms. Virginia Kimani, the Director of by growing and exporting maize to tissue culture bananas has greatly considering the preference for non- complete to have a harmonised bio- Pesticide and Agricultural Resource other parts of the world. This would reduced the importation of the fruit saturated oils in the country. safety policy within the 19 countries Centre. be a big benefit to women who are the from Uganda and other countries in “Maize, canola and soya are the forming Common Market for East She noted that Kenya’s demand main producers. Women also suffer a span of five years. current movers in agricultural trad- and Central Africa (COMESA). for maize outstrips supply in most most when there is food insecurity. “KARI and other relevant agen- ing worldwide that all countries are Given the likelihood that GMOs cases and this call for the adoption The biotechnology, if well ap- cies have the scientific capacity to concentrating their research on,” she may impact in inter regional trade, of the new technology in order to plied, could be one way of empower- undertake the production of geneti- explained. a committee that was formed by be at par with South Africa and be- ing women in food production and cally modified crops,” she said. Kenya is currently carrying out COMESA is currently developing gin to supply other countries with eventually food security. According to Kimani, the corn trials on maize, cotton, sweet potatoes, policy and guidance for the mem- maize as well. The success of Vision 2030 will soya blend demand in the country cassava and recombinant vaccines with ber countries. 17 Issue Number 12 • December 2010

A section of delegates during the African Women’s Decade Launch held recently at the KICC. Women’s empowerment was a key concern at the conference. Picture: Correspondent Nairobi Declaration on African Women’s Decade s the African Women’s Decade was launched, the dressing the structural and root causes of gender inequality rican Women at the grassroots level as reflected in the women gathered came up with a memorandum through the enactment and enforcement of constitutional and Decade thematic areas for heads of state and Government that was read in legal instruments inter alia the Convention on the Elimination 15. Endorsed the ten thematic areas identified by the African French. Many grassroots women present, especially of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Protocol Union to guide the activities of the Decade as follows: thoseA from the English speaking countries failed to grasp the gist to the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights on the of the message. Rights on Women in Africa, the Convention on the Rights of I. Fighting poverty and promoting economic empower- Below is a full version of the Nairobi Declaration as read in the Child, the African Union Declaration on Gender Equality ment of women and entrepreneurship the Nairobi meeting. in Africa, the African Union Gender Policy and other interna- II. Agriculture and Food Security 1. We the African Ministers responsible for Gender and Wom- tional, regional and sub regional instruments; III. Health, Maternal Mortality and HIV and AIDS th en’s Affairs meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on 14 October, 2010 10. Convinced of the need to establish and strengthen institu- IV. Education, Science and Technology for the Launch of the African Women’s Decade 2010-2020 tional mechanisms for mainstreaming gender in all policies under the theme “ Grassroots Approach to Gender Equality and programmes, and engendering budgets and the promo- V. Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable De- and Women’s Empowerment”; tion and protection of women’s human rights; velopment VI. Peace and Security and Violence against Women and 2. Building on the Extra-Ordinary Meeting of African Union 11. Affirming the critical importance of the principles, objec- Girls Ministers of Gender and Women’s Affairs in Maseru, Lesotho tives and goals of the Dakar and Beijing Platforms of Action in December 2008, and the 12th Ordinary Summit of African for women’s advancement, gender equality, gender equity, VII. Governance and Legal Protection Union Heads of State and Government at Addis Ababa in sustainable development and poverty eradication in Africa, VIII. Finance and Gender Budgeting February 2009, which declared 2010-2020 as African Wom- which will contribute to the achievement of the Millennium IX. Women and Decision-making en’s Decade; Development Goals (MDGs) and the goals of the African Women’s Decade; X. Mentoring Youth (men and women) to be champions 3. Acknowledging the progress made in achieving gender of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment equality and women’s empowerment; 12. Stressing the importance of committed and effective leader- 4. Recognizing the critical role that grassroots women play in ship at all levels and the role of women and men in promot- national development and support the scaling up of these ing the required changes in attitudes, behaviors and practices Hereby: that limit women’s and girl’s rights, capabilities and access to initiatives; Appeal to the African Union Heads of States and Govern- opportunities, including young women, women with dis- ment to continue support the African Women’s Decade and 5. Inspired by international, regional and sub regional declara- abilities, elderly women and women with special needs; tions, protocols and conventions, including the Millennium as spearheaded by African Union in consultation with gov- Declaration and Millennium Development Goals in particu- 13. Encouraging the Member States, the Regional Economic ernments and civil society organizations to give African peo- lar Goal 3 aims to promote and strengthen women’s empow- Communities and other sub regional statutory organs to be ple a greater sense of ownership. erment and accelerate the attainment of gender equity and fully engaged in the implementation and monitoring of all Call on our international partners, both bilateral and multilat- equality as part of overall human rights; international, regional, sub regional instruments and the Af- rican Women’s Decade; eral, including organizations of the United Nations system, to 6. Recognizing the interrelationship among gender equality, provide adequate financial support towards the implementa- 14. Appreciating the importance of strengthening partner- women’s empowerment, human rights, economic growth tion of the gender equality and women’s empowerment pro- ships with all stakeholders, including the public sector, and sustainable development; grammes as outlined in the Decades thematic area. particularly the Ministers of Finance and Economic Plan- 7. Taking note of the outcomes of the African Women’s Non ning, other government agencies, the private sector, the Further call on the African Union Commission, the Unit- Governmental Organizations fora, including all parallel civil society, workers organizations, community, religious ed Nations system, the African Development Bank and the events and caucuses held on the margin of the Launch of the and traditional leaders, research and academic institutions, Regional Economic Communities to strengthen their coor- African Women’s Decade; local governments, the media and the international com- dination and harmonization processes with regards to the 8. Concerned that new challenges posed by climate change and munity in promoting the achievement of gender equality implementation of the priorities identified in this Ministerial environmental degradation, chronic food insecurity, finan- and women’s empowerment at all levels: Declaration and African Women’s Decade themes. cial and economic crises, the feminization of poverty and hu- - fully committed to achieving the goals of the African Urge the African Union Commission to annually monitor man trafficking, migration, high cases of maternal mortality Women Decade 2010-2020; and to fully implement, in- and report on progress made in implementing the thematic and HIV and AIDS adversely affect the progress made; ternational, regional and sub regional agreements and areas of the African Women Decade. 9. Recognizing that progress towards gender equality, gender initiatives, and; Done in Nairobi on 14th October 2010 equity and women’s empowerment can be achieved by ad- - equally committed to improving the status of the Af-

Executive Director: Rosemary Okello-Orlale Editorial Director: Arthur Okwemba Managing Editor: Jane Godia Sub-Editors: Florence Sipalla, Mercy Mumo

The Kenyan Woman is a publication of African Contributors: Bendaro Tsuma, Ryan Mathenge, Faith Muiruri, Duncan This paper is produced with support from Mboyah, Dr. Susan Kipketer-Chebet, Robert Nyagah, Woman and Child Feature Service The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) Wangari Maathai, Odhiambo Odhiambo. E-mail: [email protected] Design & layout: Noel Lumbama (Noel Creative Media Ltd) www.awcfs.org