1 Issue Number 34 • January 2013 Issue Number 34 • February 2013

Glaring gender inequality Political parties remain defiant of affirmative action rule and fail to pick women …By Faith Muiruri leadership,” explains Joy Masheti, a pro- gramme manager with the Caucus for ailure by political parties to Women Leadership during an interview uphold the gender principle in with the Kenya Woman. the nomination of candidates While the national values and prin- across the board is likely to so- ciples of governance in the Constitu- lidifyF gender disparities that have been tion are a strong affirmation that em- entrenched over the years. powerment and gender equity will be The Constitution notwithstand- achieved, discrimination on the basis of ing, the bid to increase the number of gender continues unabated. women in political leadership has yet This can be attested by the exclusion again suffered a devastating blow after of women from mainstream party activ- women performed dismally at all levels ities with clear scenarios playing out in of the primaries with majority choosing the open, even as presidential aspirants instead to take refuge in the 47 seats re- roll up their sleeves for a tough battle to served for Women (County member of woo voters. the national assembly). A close scrutiny of candidates lined Preliminary information from po- up as running mates for respective pres- litical parties indicates that a total of 97 idential and gubernatorial contestants, women will be battling it out for the reveals that the position is purely domi- 47 positions. Only 32 women made it nated by men. Only Professor James Ole through the party lists for competitive Kiyiapi has named a woman as his run- seats that are not reserved for women ning mate. Kiyiapi picked former civil only. servant Winnie Kinyua Kaburu to be his According to a report compiled partner in the gruelling duel. by Centre for Multiparty Democracy Narc Kenya’s presidential aspirant (CMD), three women have been cleared Martha Karua has also upheld the gen- A reflection of gender parity as to contest for the governor’s seat, six as der parity principle by naming Augus- Augustine Lotodo teams up with senators and 23 have been cleared to tine Lotodo as her running mate. Loto- Narc Kenya’s presidential aspirant contest for the parliamentary. do is the Narc Kenya vice chairman and a former member of the East African Martha Karua in the race to state Strategy Legislative Assembly. house. Inset: Restore and Build Unless there are immediate plans to However, leading presidential con- Kenya presidential aspirant Prof respect and implement the principle of tenders have defied the gender rule and James Ole Kiyiapi and Winnie affirmative action, the realization of the named fellow men as running mates. Kinyua Kaburu, the only other gender threshold remains elusive, even The Coalition for Reforms and Democ- pair who have upheld gender as the March 4 General Elections draw racy (CORD) flag bearer Raila Odinga parity. closer. has nominated Vice President Kalonzo Photos: Kenya Woman Correspondent “We must come up with a multi- Musyoka as his running mate. The Ju- pronged strategy to sensitise commu- nities on the need to embrace women Continued on page 4

EDITORIAL Women aspirants brace for hard times as polls draw closer oing by the bitter lessons to their party offices to demand to be example for sanity to prevail in the Senator), Gender and Social Services ing that its implementation would be learnt from the just con- told why they were “rigged out” and forthcoming polls. Minister Dr Naomi Shaban (Sen- gradual and take effect on the eve of cluded chaotic and opaque their rivals who had the blessings of Indeed, the intrigues and board- ate Taita Taveta); Housing Assistant the March 4, 2013, General Elections. party nominations, wom- the party king-pins were handed over room machinations is nothing to Minister Bishop Wanjiru (Senator Under that clause, one third of Gen aspirants in the six elective posts automatic party nomination to run write home about, leave alone the Nairobi), Higher Education Minis- all elective posts would have been re- are dismayed to say the least. It is a for the Senate; Governor; Women’s shambolic, chaotic and opaque man- ter Prof Margaret Kamar (Governor served for women, in other words out lesson on how not to conduct party representative, Member of Parlia- ner in which the nominations were - Uasin Gishu) and Sports Assistant of the 280 MPs, 93.3 would have been primaries on the same day by all regis- ment or ward representatives’ posts. carried out in the most women-un- Minister Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos - the domain of elected women from tered political parties! Business woman Aisha Abdi, friendly environment. Governor). the 47 Counties. How sweet it sounds Most of the women leaders who who was vying for County repre- There is also good news for the to the ear as we watch the mess in the took a step of faith to contest for the sentatives in Kibra constituency, is a Condemnation women’s movement, as business- male-dominated political parties. elective positions, as per the new Con- classic example of the violence meted Already the Law Society of Kenya woman, Winnie Kaburu Kinyajui, But all is not lost, even the few stitution, got a rude shock at the nom- out against women aspirants forcing (LSK) and the team of Eminent Per- was recently named running mate women who have made it through inations where they saw their battle many of them to step aside. sons have condemned the political for Restore and Build Party of Kenya the primaries in their respective par- hardened male rivals elbow them out But a defiant Aisha stood her parties in the manner in which they presidential aspirant, former Educa- ties still stand a chance to fight it out and manipulate the electoral process ground, even after they intimidated carried out their primaries saying the tion Permanent Secretary, Prof James with their male counterparts to en- with impunity to their interest.. her, beat up her supporters and then Independent Electoral and Boundar- Kiyiapi. sure that they beef up the numbers went ahead to loot and destroy her ies Commission (IEBC) must now There is no doubt that the odds at the local authorities; the August Protests property. They had also threatened step in to restore sanity in the elec- against women leaders are high, but House; the Governor’s offices; the The daring ones further faced her saying unless she stepped down toral process. they are determined to soldier on. Senate and in the most powerful seat the full wrath of intimidation and they would torch her house in the But there is still a ray of hope on the land – State House. outright violence by youths hired by sprawling Nairobi slums. for the hundreds of women politi- Ruling Indeed, as we brace for the bruis- their rivals to frustrate their political Her case is one of the many that cians who are still on the race de- Another major drawback was the ing campaign trail, a word from US ambitions. the new Inspector General, David Ki- spite the shambolic primaries. They recent Supreme Court ruling on the President Barack Obama during his Even the male candidates were maiyo, and Director of Public Prose- are former Constitutional Affairs one-third affirmative action clause 2008 elections campaigns, can come not spared in the fiasco as we wit- cution, Keriako Tobiko, should probe minister, Martha Karua (President), in the new Constitution, just a few in handy for the women candidates: nessed thousands of them trooping and bring the culprits to book as an Water minister Charity Ngilu (Kitui days to the nomination exercise, stat- “Yes we can!” 2 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Election pacts push women to the side lines …By Wanjiku Mwaura entertainers when strategies are be- ing launched. Then a few women olitical pacts crafted ahead of are assigned with the task to con- the elections have left women vince the rest to tag along,” says aspirants reeling in confu- Atieno. sion. Karua who has decided to go PThe Constitution notwithstand- it alone has been treated as a lone ing, women have been sidelined in ranger, simply for the fact that she key positions in the ‘coalitions’ before decided not to join any coalition. the General Election in March. For now, a conscious decision to include Compromising women in political parties as required Ngilu who was burning hot in the Constitution seems to have and cold between CORD and Ju- been overshadowed as big parties like bilee Alliance, did not even feature ODM, TNA, URP and UDM among where decisions were being made others craft their ‘winning strategies’ on nominating Presidential aspi- in the coalitions that have taken a rants and their running mates. male face. Ngilu, who had launched a very “Look at the parties, women are strong presidential bid, ended up running the secretariats, and I mean being swallowed in the Jubilee Al- they are the secretaries and all other liance with a weak promise that she jobs in party headquarters, but that is will be the leader of Senate. She has as far as they go,” says Pauline Kimani, now dropped her presidential bid an activist working with marginalised and is headed for Senate hoping groups. she will clinch the position in Kitui “When leaders in ODM, TNA, County. URP, Wiper Democratic Party and The Restore and Build Kenya Deputy Prime Minister Musalia UDM say they are talking to like- Party is the only one that has come Mudavadi joins in a dance shortly minded partners, it means the ex- up with a woman as a running mate. after he was endorsed as the Amani clusive political men’s club,” observes Presidential aspirant James ole Alliance flag bearer as political Kimani. Kiyiapi picked Winnie Kaburu parties rushed to craft pacts ahead of Kinywa as her running mate. Kiyia- Power pi, like Karua also opted to go alone the elections. Women hardly featured The body language, say analysts, in his presidential bid. in the pacts. (Inset) The Kenya is that other aspirants like Martha The coalitions that includeNational Congress party leader Peter Karua and Charity Ngilu do not have CORD, Jubilee, Pambazuka, Amani Kenneth with his counterpart from the political muscle coalitions need and Eagle are all male dominated the Party of Action Raphael Tuju to ascend to power. and have shamelessly relegated share a political platform. The two “It is sad that the male politi- women to the periphery. Even the have signed a pre-election pact that cians are busy making decisions on Labour Party which is headed by has culminated in the formation of their own and women supporters Dr Julia Ojimabo and has a young Eagle Alliance. Photo/Kenya Woman in their parties are expected to ‘live woman as its presidential aspirant — Correspondent. with the decisions’,” notes Kimani. Kingwa Kamencu — they have not Her sentiments are echoed by been offered anything significant in to be little inclinations to consider Rhoda Atieno, who runs an online the merger. their views on pre-election pacts. So far it is only the Luo Council League of Women Voters which was feminist forum. “It seems women Although there are many wom- of Elders that elevated Mrs Phoebe created to work together with others will just be followers of parties and en’s organisations that were created Discrimination Asiyo to the position of elder with- to promote women’s active, free and not decision makers for a long time,” to help negotiate for women in the Even the so-called ‘elders’ cau- in the council, making her the first equal participation in politics and Atieno observes. She adds: “Our political arena their efforts have not cuses’ apparently guiding commu- woman to hold such a position. public affairs through the electoral politics is about money and power. borne any fruits. The Women Polit- nities on the political path to take, “Sadly, the choice women voters process as voters and leaders. Few women have that, and this is ical Alliance of Kenya was formed women have been left out. will make on who becomes the next It is hoped that women’s organ- the reason they are said to bring to increase the bargaining power “The Councils of elders that in- president will unlikely be because of isations which are coming together ‘nothing’ to the table.” but they have not made it into the clude Njuri Ncheke, Luo, Kalenjin, the agenda that person has for them, now in an urgent move to ensure “This is the way our politics inner circle of political parties. Kikuyu, Luyha and Kaya have not it will because of tribalism, which is women get a fair share of the political work, men draw up the strategies. With the women voters not even spoken out for women and most of the card the parties are waving as the positions cake will have an influence Women are relegated to the periph- solidly behind either Narc-Kenya them have no place for women,” says winning strategy,” she says. over parties within this short time to ery only appearing in the scene as Karua or Ngilu’s Narc, there seems Atieno. Her statement makes a joke of the the polls. Party primaries robbed Women of leadership chance …By John Harrington Ndeta than 10 percent of all aspirants in less than 40. distributor. ceived threatening calls asking her the forthcoming polls are women- Not surprisingly, women bore Yet another female aspirant in to back off the race or face the wrath tatistics of women who made folk; at least at the Presidential, Par- the brunt of violence and no wonder Kisumu decried the electorate who from their male counterparts. it to party lists for normal liamentary and Gubernatorial seats. they performed dismally at all levels she says are not interested in issues Safe space for women and their competitive seats in the Only one presidential aspirant; of the primaries choosing instead to and policies but monetary gains and supporters to monitor and report forthcoming elections re- Martha Karua of Narc Kenya and take refuge in the 47 seats reserved handouts. The same issue of monies gender based violence during elec- mainS diminutive raising a red-flag less than 40 women countrywide for women as County Represen- played out in various other places tions needs to be created to con- amongst many Kenyans. were cleared to vie as Governors, tatives to the National Assembly. locking out good women leaders as stantly highlight issues facing wom- Women aspirants were techni- Senators and Member of Parliament Over 100 women will be battling it their male counterparts who have en candidates. It is incumbent upon cally locked out by the 10th parlia- by their political parties. This de- out against each other for a chance the monies bought their ways to vic- IEBC and the security agencies to ment when it failed to pass laws that parts from the letter and spirit of the to clinch the 47 positions reserved tory. ensure full compliance to electoral would have operationalised section constitution which says we should for them in every county. “My car was smashed by the laws as well as the laws of the land 81(2b) of the constitution that says: have a minimum of 155 less the 47 But in the Party primaries held youth in Nyalenda(Kisumu) when I including the Constitution. not more than two-thirds of the women representative seats reserved January 18th, the forthcoming elec- stopped to address them just before members of the elective bodies shall under the National Assembly. tions started off on a sore note with the nominations. The mob started Verdict be of the same gender. a paltry 30 women cleared to battle demanding for money. I only es- With nominations behind and The other intervening factors Violence it out with men for the 3 main elec- caped miraculously,” says a female elections barely a month away, the against women during party prima- Constitutionally, the total num- tive seats at the nationals and county aspirant who lost the parliamentary verdict is out: the goal of increasing ries included lack of funds required, ber of women who were supposed level. bid to a male counterpart. the number of women in political as politics has become too expensive to be elected leave alone cleared to In Thika for instance, a female ‘If you women don’t have leadership will remain a mirage un- in Kenya; attitudes and perceptions vie is thus 108 women. Past elections aspirant faced all manner of elec- anything to give us, go sit in the less the principle of affirmative ac- about the place of women leader- in Kenya indicate that the number toral violence and intimidation house,’ was a common statement tion is respected and implemented. ship and blatant violence meted out of women who are likely to win that she had to literally re-locate in Kisumu whenever women as- Let us join hands to elect leaders on those who came out to contest through the ballot will be extremely from her Nairobi home to a hotel in pirants tried to traverse the lake- who will prioritize implementation against men in the party nomina- low. In 2007, only sixteen succeeded Thika for days. Thousands of con- side town seeking for support. The of the constitution in regard to gen- tions. as elected Members of Parliament doms and leaflets meant to demean youth threatened to detain women der provisions. Preliminary party lists on IEBC yet over 200 women were on the bal- her as a mother and portray her as aspirants at some points when they The writer is the Media and website paints a grim picture for lot papers. This time round, the list a loose and irresponsible wife were stopped to address them if they Peace Coordinator, Peace Initiative women in the forthcoming polls. of women cleared by IEBC to vie for distributed on the eve of the nomi- didn’t give handouts. Kenya, a project of the International The parties’ lists indicate that less the post of Member of Parliament is nation day with her name as the Many women aspirants also re- Rescue Committee. 3 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Aziza Abdalla How gender discrimination saw bright girl lose out in education

…By Diana Wanyonyi Aziza knows that this is the only way she can realise her dream. That of leading her he cultural inclinations that con- constituents from either the County or na- spired to deny a young girl educa- tional assembly. tion three decades ago have come She is now pleading with well-wishers back to haunt her bid for leader- to support her bid of going back to school Tship. to advance her primary and secondary Aziza Abdalla sat for her Certificate of education. Even though the country has Primary Education (CPE) in 1977 at Mton- a free primary education programme, gwe Primary and passed with 22 marks. The Aziza cannot join the normal primary results, she says could have enabled her to join school. She can only advance her school- secondary school. However that never hap- ing through adult education of which she pened. must pay school fees because it is not free. Now in her early 50s, Aziza’s bid to vie for Her resolve is the determination that the Mombasa County Women representative she has. This is that one day she will lead seat or even that of County Ward Represen- the people in her constituency. tative cannot be realised after she was denied a party ticket because she could not meet the Track record education requirements outlined in the Politi- Aziza is a community leader and a cal Parties Act under the Constitution of Ke- peace champion in the grassroots. She has nya 2010. worked hard at reconciling warring com- munities within the Coast and helped in Discrimination demystifying the Mpwani and Mbaara cul- “I sat for my primary examination and ture that has been a main source of conflict was ranked among the best students with 19 in the region. She has also ensured and points out of 36 points. My father was not promoted peaceful-co existence. proud of me. He kept reminding me that I am Aziza was speaking in Mombasa dur- a woman and he will be a laughing stock in ing a media encounter organised by Af- the community if he took me to secondary rican Woman and Child Feature Service school,” Aziza recalls. through the Peace Initiative Kenya Project “To my surprise, he preferred to send my that brought together grassroots women two elder brothers to Aga Khan Secondary and journalists to discuss issue of electoral School to advance their education. In 1978, I violence and gender based violence at the decided to repeat the same class as a way of Coast. giving him space to re-think his decision but he remained adamant,” she says. Initiative Without the opportunity to continue with Peace Initiative in Kenya is funded by her education, Aziza found herself getting USAID to create a grassroots network that married at a time when her age mates were prevent and mitigate violence, including still in school. gender-based violence, in Kenya’s most Though she has potential to be a leader, the conflict-affected communities. Gender- year that her father dimmed the bright light of based violence has proven to be a defin- her future still lingers in her mind. ing feature of Kenyan General Elections And the reality is more pronounced now since 1992 when the multi- party politics that her political ambition is quickly fading started in the country. away. The project is being implemented by “Even with my limited education I was International Rescue Committee (IRC) as not afraid. I entered the political arena in the lead partner, together with local part- 2002 very confident that I would make it. I ners: the Coalition on Violence against Aziza Abdalla is locked out of the election for failing to meet the required educational was the only woman among nine men con- Women (COVAW), the Federation of Wom- threshold. She had planned to contest for the Mombasa County Women Rep seat. testants on KADDU ticket but I was defeated en Lawyers – Kenya (FIDA), PeaceNet, and at the ballot box. I never gave up, I promised the Rural Women’s Peace Link (RWPL), Sauti myself that I will try come 2013,” says Aziza. Ya Wanawake, Pwani, African Woman and Women at the grassroots are especially Peace Initiative Kenya would like to ensure She adds: “If it was not for conditions set for Child and Well Told Story. susceptible to violence because they do not that there is no repeat of the 2007-2008 vio- candidates, I would have dropped.” Peace have anyone to turn to and do not know the lence. It has taken into consideration the fact channels which they can use to seek redress. that these are the first lections under the new Numbers Peace Initiative Kenya (PIK) Project is Constitution and tensions are already building Aziza’s case represents the plight of many working hard to ensure that violence against Experiences in various counties across the country. potential women in the Coast region whose women is stopped and peace prevails in the The media encounter was held to allow The early warning on conflict can only be ambitions to contest for political seats have forthcoming polls. We urge all actors to up- communities and journalists engage to share done by peace champions like Aziza who have, been nipped in the bud. Scores of women have hold the rule of law and promote peace for the their experiences and disseminate knowledge like Peace Initiative Kenya realized the sense been locked out of the political platform de- good of Kenya particularly women and girls. on the linkages between electoral processes, of a Kenyan identity that overrides ethnic and spite their ability to lead. Holding mature, peaceful elections under a conflict mitigation and gender based vio- gender schism that have been used before to Like Aziza, many women at the Coast re- new constitution will send the right message to lence. The women will also be able to share mobilise conflict in pre and post-election pe- gion dropped out of school due to cultural the world that it is after all possible to go to the with the journalists the challenges that they riods. and religious biases. Most have ended up in polls and emerge a united nation. face in regards to electoral violence and gen- That is why even though Aziza will not be early and forced marriages that have curtailed The project is also looking into issues of der based violence. The encounter was also vying this time around, she will be champion- their opportunities to better chances in life. gender equality because it has been realized held to build capacity of women’s groups to ing peace at the Coast region which has been Being denied the chance to complete her that gender based violence has often acted as network to advocate for peace in their com- marked as likely to be volatile in the forth- education, did not make her to deny her chil- a deterrent to many women who are aspiring munities as well as identify peace champions coming elections. This is especially because of dren education. “The pain that I underwent for leadership positions within communities. who can be the focal points for early warning. the calls for secession by the Mombasa repub- after being denied a chance to advance my lican Council which has also said that people education motivated me to make sure that I from the region are not going to vote. educated my children up to secondary level. “I had wanted to contest for the women representative Already they have been accusations of Already four of them have completed second- women being threatened merely for register- ary education and the last one is in class sev- seat but now with the requirement that individuals should ing as voters. Aziza and other women from en,” she says. possess post-secondary school education to qualify as Sauti ya Wanawake Organisation are already Aziza would like to go back to school so carrying out door to door campaigns im- that she can achieve her dream. Even though candidates, I cannot vie for the seat” ploring men from the region to be peaceful many people do not understand why a moth- — Aziza Abdalla, a community leader and a peace champion and not bar area residents from political ac- er of five would like to further her education, tivities. 4 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Fear factor dominates elections …By Odhiambo Orlale fiasco despite the controversies. They are Higher Education minister, Prof Margaret enyan women leaders are an angry Kamar (ODM nominee for Uasin Gishu lot. County); Water minister, Charity Ngilu (Ki- And they have all the reasons and tui Narc nominee for Senate); Gender min- rights to feel shortchanged for the sec- ister, Naomi Shaban, who got the TNA ticket ondK time around in the past six months by the to vie for the Taita Taveta Senate seat; and powers that be and the political elites as the coun- Sports Assistant minister, Wavinya Ndeti, try braces for the first General Elections under a who clinched the Machakos Governor’s new Constitution nomination on her Chama Cha Uzalendo First it was the Supreme Court that ruled that party. the gender rule can only be realized progressively One of the most high profile victims of from 2015. the shambolic nominations was of Metro- The just concluded party nominations was an- politan Assistant minister, Elizabeth On- other major disappointment that left most women goro, who is the outgoing Kasarani MP. She candidates disenfranchised, humiliated and locked was prevailed upon to step down from the out of the political arena by the respective parties, Senate race in order for the ODM party to they had planned to use as vehicles to get to the accommodate Bishop Wanjiru, who had county assemblies, August House, Senate and Gov- been forced to abandon her ambition to be ernor’s office. the city’s first Governor in a boardroom deal. Indeed, politics is a dirty game, but the recent The Assistant minister’s rivals had been nominations would make the following pioneers former Mumias Sugar CEO, Dr Evans cringe: they are Mrs Grace Onyango, first Kisumu Kidero, and former Nairobi Town clerk, Mr mayor and Kisumu Town MP; Dr Julia Ojiambo Philip Kisia, who want to represent Nairobi’s Narc Kenya Presidential aspirant Martha Karua and Grace Ogot, the first women Assistant minis- 3 million residents. addresses a political rally as campaigns reach ters; Mrs Nyiva Mwendwa, the first woman Cabi- Even the Law Society of Kenya and the fever pitch. (Inset) Mrs Phoebe Asiyo who is the net Minister; and Water minister Charity Ngilu, nine-members of the Team of Eminent Per- who made history as the first woman Presidential sons have expressed similar concerns as the chairperson of Team of Eminent Persons and candidate, Water minister. over 50 registered political parties try to put former Karachuonyo MP. Photo: Kenya Woman their house and nomination list of their can- Correspondent Primaries didates to view for the Presidency, the Sen- But now that the dust is settling about the most ate 47 seats, the Governor 47 seats; County aspirants hired venues for the primaries!” the chaotic and disorganized political parties primaries Women’s representative 47 seats; Member of women leaders said, and accused the 10th Parlia- in the countries 50 year history, reason can prevail Parliament 280 seats and County representative ment of mutilating the Constitution and electoral on the way forward for women aspirants. 3,000 seats. law to allow party hoping by MPs and aspirants The few survivors of the exercise will need This confirms how high the stakes are in the even until the eleventh hour. more funds, security and resources to vie for the March 4, historic polls which will be the first un- They criticized political parties saying the cen- intimidation, harassment and rising cases of elec- six elective posts against their well endowed and der the new Constitution and it will usher the new tralisation of the issuance of nomination certificate toral fraud have continued to force women lead- politically connected rivals. crop of leaders since independence on December saying it further caused more confusion and ten- ers to shy away from the political arena, under the The two biggest names so far in the winners 12, 1963. sion. belief that it is “a man’s domain” and/or “politics list include businesswoman, Mary Wambui, the Addressing a quickly convened press confer- Mrs Asiyo reminded IEBC that it has a role to is a dirty game.” Othaya TNA parliamentary aspirant, who wants ence at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, the chairperson play to deal with cases of violence and exclusion, Out of the 40 participants at the meeting in to replace President Kibaki, who has represented of TEM, former Karachuonyo MP, Mrs Phoebe especially against female aspirants. Nairobi, only two of them announced that they the area for the past 50 years; and Housing Assis- Asiyo, said: “We hold the position that there is still would be vying for a senior post past County tant minister, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, who is the room to rectify the gross violations of law that have Preparedness representative and county women representa- ODM Nairobi Senator who will face off of flam- occurred. The IEBC should take action against the Last month, Education Minister Mutula Ki- tive’s seat. boyant Kamukunji MP, Mike ‘Sonko’ Mbuvi, nom- reported cases of violence and exclusion of some lonzo and Nominated MP, Ms Sofia Abdi had ex- Says the minister: “I do not really blame inee after losing her bid for the Nairobi Governor’s candidates, especially women.” pressed similar concerns during a women’s forum them for going that way. Political parties have seat on a technicality after campaigning vigorously In her statement, the leaders concluded that focusing on their preparedness for the forthcom- not changed their tolerance, and women in- for it for the past three months. the entire nominations exercise fell short of the ex- ing polls. structively run away from violence and related The Bishop and the businesswoman are set pectations of Kenyans and “was a sham; travesty of According to the two leaders, one of who problems. When they stand as county represen- for the battle of titans with their rivals from within democracy and betrayal to Kenyans.” is vying for the Makueni Senate seat while the tatives, they feel safer facing fellow women. A outside their parties. “There was lack/absence of voting materials; other is eying the Ijara parliamentary seat held fellow woman will not organise violence against Kudos to the winners who sailed through the returning officers were compromised; and some by Defense Minister, Yusuf Hajji, fear of violence, a counterpart. Political parties remain defiant of affirmative action rule and fail to pick women Continued from page 1 Under Article 98 (1) (b), each party CORD aspirant Kivutha Kibwana who provisions. “All that mattered was how Majority managed to bag tickets from list comprises the appropriate number has received overwhelming support well individuals were connected to their smaller parties that charged less nomi- bilee Coalition presidential candidate of qualified candidates and alternates after nominating Adelina Mwau as his respective political parties and this is nation fees. In other instances some Uhuru Kenyatta has William Ruto as between male and female candidates in running mate. the reason for the fraud and irregulari- gave them direct nomination. his running mate. A similar scenario is the priority in which they are listed. The Gender Commission at the ties witnessed during the nominations,” The Centre for Multi-Party Democ- replayed at the Eagle Alliance where the “I am calling on the IEBC to reject same time laments that the level of dis- she says. racy report notes that whereas the direct presidential candidate Peter Kenneth party lists that contravene Article 90 crimination against female candidates is Lichuma at the same time says that nomination has granted them a possible picked Ronald Osumba. The Amani Al- of the Constitution,” noted Winfred worrying. most political parties used the Supreme mileage in the political contest, most of liance frontrunner Musalia Mudavadi Lichuma, chairperson of the National Lichuma points out that most wom- Court ruling to lock out women who these parties have less political appeal on the other hand nominated Jeremiah Gender and Equality Commission dur- en were discriminated against both at otherwise given a chance would have across the country. Kioni in the running mate slot. ing a national consultative forum for the national and county level during the made it to the ballot. “It is, therefore, not possible to pre- This has in effect rendered the gen- women aspirants and voters. primaries. In Lamu, she points out, the “The just concluded nomination ex- dict whether their direct nominations der equality matrix void ahead of elec- She added: “It is either political par- ballot papers never arrived but nomi- ercise by political parties registered the will guarantee or even increase their tions as the same trend is replicated at ties are not conversant with the law or nation certificates were fraudulently is- worst performance by women aspirants chances of being elected to various po- the county level. have not understood the provisions or sued to preferred aspirants. with some of the seasoned female politi- litical offices,” says Betty Murungi, a le- In Nairobi CORD’s gubernatorial somebody somewhere has just decided Lichuma observes that the pastoral- cians losing out in the primaries,” notes gal expert during a national consultative aspirant Evans Kidero has nominated to sit on them.” ist elders endorsed their preferred can- Lichuma. forum for women aspirants and voters Philip Kisia as his running mate. The gender equation in the run- didates and none of the selected candi- She blames the dismal performance recently. ning mate slot has further been com- dates were women. by women aspirants to the fact that Ke- Expectant plicated by the lack of a constitutional Article 27(3) of the Constitution is nya’s political arena has been dominated Resources Gender equality advocates are now backing to compel political parties to categorical that both women and men by men due to the patriarchal nature of According to Deborah Okumu, waiting with bated breath to find out adhere to the principle of proportion- have the right to equal treatment, in- the society. Executive Director Caucus for Women whether Independent Electoral and ate representation. cluding the right to equal opportunities “This means that women who at- Leadership, most women aspirants lack Boundaries Commission (IEBC) up- “The running mate position has no in political, economic, cultural and so- tempt to venture into the male domi- the financial might which their male holds the provisions of Article 90 of the constitutional backing and thus political cial spheres. nated field are subjected to ridicule, counterparts are able to exploit and Constitution which dictates that party parties have a leeway to nominate can- harassment, violence and humiliations marshal overwhelming support during lists must reflect proportionate repre- didates of their choice. In addition the Performance aimed at maligning their engagement political contests. sentation. gender principle does not apply when Article 27(4) of the Constitu- with their male counterparts,” she ex- Okumu observes that based on past The National Gender and Equality skirting for individuals to fill the slot be- tion further prohibits discrimination plains. electoral trends, some counties will have Commission has petitioned the IEBC cause it is only one position to be filled against any person on any ground in- The chairperson notes that women to nominate additional female candi- to reject party lists which do not uphold per county,” explains Masheti. cluding race, sex, pregnancy, marital political careers have suffered over the dates to bridge the gender gap at the proportionate representation. She notes that the only way that status, health status, ethnic or social years as political party machineries county level. Article 90 dictates that elections gubernatorial candidates can be com- origin, colour, age, disability, religion, have not worked for female candidates. “Political parties must be compelled for the seats in Parliament and for the pelled to uphold the gender principal is conscience, belief, culture, dress, lan- The situation has been exacerbated to uphold the Constitution which has members of county assemblies under by rallying voters to support aspirants guage or birth. by the fact that voters have not been mainstreamed gender with not more 177 (1) (b) and (c), shall be on the basis who nominate women in the running Lichuma observes that during the aligned to embrace women leadership. than two thirds of either gender being of proportional representation by use of mate slot. political party primaries, all players However, most women aspirants in positions of power and authority,” party lists. She cites Makueni Gubernatorial opted to suspend the constitutional have pulled a clever political stunt. says Okumu. 5 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Coast women ready for the elections …By Robert Nyagah

omen in Coast Prov- ince have refused to relent in their quest for leadership. They are determinedW to compete for the various political seats despite fears of violence ahead of the elections. Drawn from various women groups and organizations in Mombasa and Kwale County, the women leaders say that they will compete equally for the seats and will not be cowed by acts of violence. In a media encounter with jour- nalists in Mombasa organized by the African Women and Children Feature Service (AWC) under the Peace Ini- tiative Kenya project, a cross section of women indicated that although Gender Based Violence (GBV) was rife in the region and sometimes tar- geted women, they are ready to seek redress through existing legal ma- chinery. The women agreed that the region has in the recent past witnessed acts of violence mainly blamed on the Mom- basa Republican Council (MRC). Loise Dama, a women leader from Bamburi notes that unlike in the past, majority of women in the area now understand the constitution and their rights against any form of discrimina- tion especially during the elections. “We know that in the past and Women leaders from Mombasa County freely mingle with journalists during a meeting mainly during the 2007 Likoni clash- organized by the AWC to increase their visibility ahead of the elections. (Below) es in Kwale District, women and chil- Christine Mwikali who is a lawyer with the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) dren suffered immensely and thus during the AWC meeting held under the banner of Peace Initiative Kenya. we are committed to ensure that this does not recur,” says Dama.

Resources cal contests. have been eliminated by the new con- Although those who participated in the dis- “Some electoral conditions and fee required stitution. cussions with the media still felt that politics was are costly and out of reach to some ordinary The lawyer expressed satisfaction still dominated by men. “Men command im- women,” argues Nyatome. at the pace at which women were bat- mense financial resources which they use top A lawyer from the Federation of Women tling for education and business op- buy votes and thus the need for women to use Lawyers (FIDA) in Mombasa Christine Mwi- portunities. funds generated in their merry go round groups kali Kipsang notes that unlike in the past when “Women have woken up, they are to fund their campaigns during the electioneer- women were oppressed, majority are now aware walking tall and acquiring property ing period. of their rights which they are pursuing with and profitably managing family busi- The women participants further said that firmness,” she says. nesses with great success, this is the some husbands dictated which candidates they The lawyer said that gender based violence reason why you women should feel should vote for should be tackled right from the family level encouraged to pursue political posi- The women also vowed to reject enticements adding that women play a critical role in peace tions without fear,” she adds. from their male counterparts in order to en- building. Fatuma Said another women dorse their candidature. “Peace making starts with you and me and leader however noted that men were The women leaders said that although cul- that should come from the family level and not entirely to blame for the abuses ture had in the past been used to give men an move to the level where you associate with other visited on women. edge in politics, the constitution prohibits dis- Kenyans,” she adds. “Sometimes women have failed crimination on the basis of gender and allows to support one another, they have them to compete for various positions in em- Security failed to realize that they are very ployment and in politics. Women, she said had enormous opportuni- powerful politically and even when “If we unite and sensitize both the women ties to access education and other rights includ- resources are available, they adopt ex- and the general public that the constitution out- ing loans in financial institutions and that way pensive lifestyles which denies them laws gender discrimination, we shall be able to they needed to be more assertive and encourage as chance to be trusted as managers,” compete at all levels and bridge the gender gap,” one another to get adequate education and battle adds Said. subjected to gender violence during the elec- said Aziza Abdalla. for senior positions at all levels. Some women participants during the media tions to talk openly about their suffering, dis- Women, Aziza insisted must discard ret- “Education institutions are today accessible encounter noted that high level politics some- cussing the tribulations helps the victims to rogressive practices and start pushing for their and they are quite flexible in their programmes times favoured notable women at national level heal” says Odhiambo. rights to education as boys in some parts of the meaning that even women can access certain hence denying the ordinary folk a chance to “Allow the victims of abuse to empty their region still enjoy more favourable treatment levels of higher education even without huge fi- fight for some of the positions. pain, allow them to cry and do not stop them… than girls. nancial resources,” says Kipsang. They spoke against stereotypes fanned by the tears and all that heals them, “adds Odhi- “The African culture and religious group- Kipsang notes that women need to read and the media and singled out the description of the ambo. ings still treat women as inferior to men. The girl familiarize themselves with the electoral code Presidential candidate Martha Karua as an Iron She said the women had a role in fighting child has thus in the past been openly discrimi- and further take personal responsibility about Lady, the women said clearly gave her a tough against GBV during elections by reporting such nated despite the fact the new constitution pro- their safety during the electioneering period. tag, which made her be viewed as controversial cases to the authorities. vides equal opportunities to men and women,” The lawyer also advises the journalists to or different from other women. A women group leader from Mombasa she says. avoid glorifying violence during the elections as Some women also felt that the media did Binti Ali Kisa notes that women could also fight had happened in the past where violence seemed not give women balanced coverage as com- against GBV through village, residential and Empowerment to be given more prominence instead of peace. pared to men, but media experts from the neighbourhood watch groups. Aziza who dropped out of school at stan- The media, she says should always respect AWC asked the women to fight for media cov- “Women should start neighbourhood watch dard 7 explained that she had personally suf- the privacy of women and their families during erage by making information about them avail- groups where they could be able to monitor fered discrimination at family level but had electioneering. able to the media. violence at family and neighbourhood level and vowed to ensure that her daughters did not suf- “There should be deliberate plans to avoid employ local means to reduce such violence or fer the same fate and would access education. violence at all levels and especially if that vio- Measures report the cases to the authorities before or after Francisca Nyatome, who has declared her lence targets women and children during elec- Mombasa based psychologist Millie Odhi- they occur” suggests Kiza. interest for the Kisauni women representative tions,” she notes. ambo stressed the need for counselling for wom- The neighbourhood watch groups, Kiza say noted that although the constitution was fa- The FIDA lawyer asked women to report in- en and children affected by general and gender could also be used in creating of awareness on vourable to women, there were some electoral cidents of violence including cases of rape dur- based violence during the elections. Professional human rights. requirements which discriminated against ing elections to the police. counselling she said brought healing and must She said that her neighbourhood watch women. The lawyer said that historical and legal bar- be pursued at an early stage to avoid instances group was engaged in door to door campaigns She cited the exorbitant nomination fee riers which acted against women participation where such abuses reached psychiatric levels. to encourage people from her areas to register which barred women from engaging in politi- in politics and senior management positions “You should allow those who are abused or as voters. 6 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Jane Susan Mwathe On a mission to demystify campaign violence

…By Waikwa Maina ing technology and fashion design, spend their time and earn a decent liv- before joining Kigari Teachers College ing,” notes Mwathe. She adds: “Having “Don’t kill and don’t die for any where I trained as a teacher before trained in the informal sector, I believe politician,” this is the message that training in sales and marketing. I later the sector can be used to mitigate the has endeared to Mathira constituents, resigned from teaching to engage in social and economic challenges facing where it is believed that at least one or community development activities,” our young men, not only in Mathira two people must die each electioneer- explains Mwathe. but in entire country.” ing period in violence related to cam- It is this exposure that she intends Her other concern is the fact that paigns. to use to uplift the living standards of despite Mathira having the biggest and The seat has attracted more than Mathira people if elected as the first active open air market located in Kara- ten wealthy aspirants, some very expe- woman parliamentarian. tina town, it has not helped the young rienced in politics but Mwathe is not She has served as executive mem- people and women economically due bothered by the fact that she is the only ber of the Parents Teachers Associa- to lack of exposure and guidance. woman aspirant. tion at Tumutumu Girls’ High School, “I see my opponents not as men which over the years recorded impres- Potential but as aspirants and, therefore, I count sive results. The other key area of focus is talent myself as an aspirant and not a woman Suz, as she is popularly known in harvesting among the young people aspirant. I want Mathira people to treat Mathira is also a Member of Board of and failure to address issues related to me as a leader. I am vying as a potential Governors at Bishop Gatimu Ngandu generational gap which frustrate the Ms Jane Susan Mwathe, an aspirant for the Mathira parliamentary seat and able leader not as a woman,” she Girls’ High School among others. youth in getting proper guidance. This seeks to promote peace in the constituency during the electioneering says. she hopes to achieve through intro- period. Photo: Waikwa Maina In all her campaign rallies, Mwathe Leadership duction of guidance and counselling reminds the electorate that those deaths Her leadership started as a young and related exchange forums. are just a myth, and can be avoided if student at Kigali Teachers College in “I will transform Karatina to a toral issues as contained in the new used against her while the same is not voters ignore politicians who incite Uganda where she was the deputy business hub by developing cottage constitution and entire constitution. done to men who spend hours cam- them and refuse to be used to cause head of students. industry and incorporating women She promises to ensure that civic edu- paigning and buying beer to the voters. chaos. “They should also respect each “I am a devoted Christian and I and youth in the same. This will be cation will be a continuous activity if Mwathe is also of the view that other’s political stand and opinions,” hold various leadership positions in achieved through training and offer- elected to parliament. campaigning in the bars is a waste of says Mwathe. church including serving as the PCEA ing mentorship programs to youth Key challenges facing her are fi- time and resources as drunkards forget So far, Mwathe is the only woman church affairs’ leader. I have served as a and women,” Mwathe says. She ex- nancial, going by Mathira’s history of everything the moment the drinking candidate who has declared interest on presiding officer in most general elec- plains: “Women are good in forming voter bribery and for other logistics. spree is over. Mathira Constituency parliamentary tions among other leadership positions common interest groups but they lack However, she appreciates that voters Her Christianity and moral stand- seat in Nyeri County. A constituency that have motivated me into joining support and skills on how they can listen and appreciate her to cope with ing also dictates against her campaign- with a history of bloody and violent active politics to make change,” says effectively invest and reap maximum this. She is keen on door-door cam- ing in pubs, wondering how one can campaigns, intimidations, harassments, Mwathe. benefits through their chamas.” paigns, which, she believes are the condemn excessive consumption of dirty politics, mudslinging and voter Mwathe observes: “We have many best type of campaign because as an alcohol, which has brought down fami- bribery. Mathira has always been the Agenda educated and exposed women and we aspirant she is then able to relate one- lies while at the same time use the same hottest campaign spot in Nyeri. Her key agenda for the youth is to must tap their knowledge as way to on-one with the voters as well as un- platform to campaign. improve the informal sector through give back to the community. But this derstand them, their challenges and “I like challenges, I have never Passion training of small scale traders, business can only be achieved through good priorities. shied away from them, I like it when I However, Mwathe is not scared and mentorship partnership with successful leadership that will encourage part- The other challenge is cultural achieve for my people by winning the is determined to change that history if business people, motivational talks and nerships but not frustrate or engage in where while men can campaign at any battle, have enough time and commit- anything. establishing technical training facilities fights fearing that they will graduate to hour of day or night, a woman still ment to serve Mathira people just as I A retired teacher, Mwathe was born in the area. political opponents.” has domestic responsibilities that can- have done through other platforms. I at Kirimukuyu ward, in Mathira. “Mathira has no technical train- not allow her out of the house in the am also urging people to eat well for “I attended a local primary school ing facility and this has contributed Empowerment late hours of the night. There is also their own benefit, which will eventually before joining Limuru Girls’ High to joblessness, motivating young men She says that civic education needs the issue security and the fact that she reduce disease rate and financial impli- School. Later, I joined Kirinyaga Tech- to joining criminal groups for lack to be conducted in the area, since most can’t campaign in entertainment joints cations that come with poor nutrition,” nical Institute where I trained in cloth- of forums where they can positively voters are still not conversant with elec- which can later be misinterpreted and she concludes. Women in Western Kenya ready for polls …By Omondi Gwengi nor’s seat in Kisumu County, stereo- of long term issues,” suggested types that women cannot lead still Achieng. s the scramble for political reigns in the region and a time has Insecurity and violence positions takes place in var- come that this must be changed in or- against women have for a long ious counties, women from der to achieve vision 2030. time been the biggest challenge Western Kenya are brac- “Emerging from a region where facing women in politics. ingA themselves for what is intended to men are believed to be the only lead- Going by the United Na- change the political landscape in the ers, it is hard to win the confidence tions Security Council Resolu- region. of the electorate to vote for women. tion 1325 (2000), civilians, par- Battle lines have been drawn as Through such trainings, we do hope ticularly women and children, women aspirants get ready for a bruis- that we are going to approach the elec- account for the vast majority ing battle to vie for various seats in the torates in a different way and hence of those adversely affected by build-up to the next General Elections. win their confidence,” observed Pete. armed conflict, including as ref- Even though the Constitution Two things that emerged strongly ugees and internally displaced provides women with various op- from the meeting included the culture persons. portunities in leadership, women are where the electorate expects money “We are shunning any form nonetheless prepared to face it out from aspirants and violence against of violence against women with their male counterparts. women during elections. However, it during elections so that they “Women just like any other citi- was resolved that in order to change can participate in a free, fair zen of this country have a democratic this, the electorate should be educated and peaceful election,” notes Participants attend a three-day training workshop on leadership and mentorship right to vie for any elective position in on how to demand for development Achieng. of women in politics organised by the Kenya Female Advisory Organization this country. They should, therefore, projects from the aspirants instead of (KEFEADO) in Bondo, Siaya County. Photo: Omondi Gwengi participate in a peaceful election,” af- handouts. Media firmed Easter Achieng during three- During the training, women day training on leadership and men- Tact politicians expressed various However, women expressed fears nomination should not be the case of torship of women in politics by the “We should educate our commu- challenges that they face when deal- that their opponents sometimes use women,” said a participant. Kenya Female Advisory Organization nities on how to ask for construction ing with the media. media to destroy them. They also According to Easter Achieng who (KEFEADO) in Bondo, Siaya County. of schools, health facilities and access According to Media and Com- noted that media sometimes solic- facilitated the training, the more than to clean water because handouts are munication specialists from Maseno its money from aspirants in order to 30 women drawn from Western Kenya Constraints to blame for poor leadership in most University, women do feel discrimi- publish or broadcast stories. resolved that they will no longer use fu- During this meeting, women as- areas,” noted Pete. nated by the media because they Speaking in one voice, the women nerals as political campaign platforms. pirants were able to share their ex- According to Achieng, handouts sometimes do not understand how aspirants who attended the training “We have in the past witnessed periences on the achievements and given by politicians will always create the media works. agreed to support fellow women to how funerals turn into battlefields af- challenges that they are facing in their a lot of insecurity and economic con- “In order to gain the confidence win parliamentary, senate and gover- ter politicians incite their supporters. campaigns. straints. of the media as an aspirant, you nor seats instead of settling on county As women politicians, we are not go- According to Risper Akinyi Pete “It is unwise to exchange one’s vote should package your message well,” ward or women representative. ing to use other people’s grief as our who is contesting for Deputy Gover- for as little as KSh50.We should think said Naomi Senda. “We are leaving here saying that joy,” noted Achieng. 7 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Women, youth ill-prepared for elections …By Elizabeth Awuor She says every citizen who wishes dia reaches everyone but in most to see a better Kenya should embark cases the education in media does n as much as electing the right on civic education regardless of their not allow for question and answer representatives is critical to ad- political affiliations. sessions,” she affirms. dressing challenges facing the According to her own assessment, The Mombasa head of Caucus electorate, it beats logic when Hersi believes Radio can be an effec- for Women’s leadership Amina Zu- Ivoters are ill prepared for the elec- tive tool in carrying out voter sensiti- beri is concerned that women form tions. zation at the Coast. the highest number of voters in Women and youth are hard hit A university student Antoinette Mombasa but they are likely make with majority not only displaying ig- Mwitta only knows that she is sup- mistakes come elections day. norance in the number of contestants posed to vote for a president, gover- for the various positions but also not nor, senator and women represen- Nominations being sure of the elective positions. tative. She is yet to understand the She cites the party nominations However a good number of reg- other two positions of a county ward saying that women turned up in istered voters in Mombasa blame the representative and that of a member large numbers to vote but were not Independent Electoral and Boundar- of parliament. conversant with the political posi- ies Commission (IEBC) for abdicat- She believes it is the mandate of tions on the ballot papers. ing their role in civic education. IEBC to effectively carry out voter ed- “We had a difficult time ex- Others claim they are too pre-oc- ucation. Antoinette is worried that the plaining these positions including cupied with their daily activities that remaining time will not be enough for the women representative one,” she they may not have sufficient time for the commission to reach all the vot- says. civic education. ers who are still in the dark. She is also Zuberi claims most women in Candidates for various elective against the reliance on media as the Mombasa do not understand how positions in Mombasa are worried only channel of carrying out the edu- important it is to elect credible that if proper civic education is not cation process. people to serve in the county gov- carried out within the remaining “IEBC should just go and meet ernment. time, then people are likely to vote in the people instead of using the me- “If those in the urban areas are wrong leaders. dia only. We might assume the me- not sure of how the county govern- ments will run, then those in the Campaign rural areas are in real darkness”, The Coast region chairperson for “I have gone round she adds. Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organi- She underscores the need to zation Sureya Hersi says she has to Mombasa County undertake vigorous voter educa- explain to people the position she is tion and calls on civil society orga- A Mombasa based University student Antoinatte Mwitta who says she is yet to contesting for and teach them about and established that nizations to fill in the gap. receive effective voter education. Photo: Elizabeth Awuor the other five. “I have gone round Mombasa most people including Initiative County and established that most the educated group A college trainer Abraham Maba- elections and are likely to blunder on members representing constituen- people including the educated group chi says his preparedness for elections the voting day. cies, forty-seven women representing of voters do not understand how the of voters do not under the new constitution is as a re- He cites voters who think the counties, twelve members nominated county government will work,” she sult of his own personal initiative. president and gubernatorial positions by parliamentary political parties. adds. understand how the He is aware of the representatives are the most important. The senate consists of forty-seven Hersi who is vying for the wom- county government he is supposed to vote for and under- Under the new constitution, vot- members (senators) representing en representative seat in Mombasa stands how the county governments ers will be expected to elect the presi- counties, sixteen women members County using the Republican Council will work.” will work. dent, governor, senator, Member of who shall be nominated, two youth party ticket is concerned that women Mabachi is worried that women Parliament, county representative and representatives one male and the and youth in the rural areas might not — Sureya Hersi, Coast region and youth who do not have access to women representative. other female, two representatives of have the chance to clearly understand chairperson for Maendeleo ya the media especially the newspaper The next parliament will be com- persons with disabilities one male and how to vote come March 4. Wanawake Organization may never know issues surrounding posed of two hundred and ninety the other female. Mauritius increases the number of women in government

auritius has increased Mauritius cited the provisions in Beau Bassin – Rose Hill (18 coun- mark the first time in the SADC re- ing that this reflects a high degree of the number of women the Protocol on affirmative action cillors); Quatre Bornes (15 council- gion that a quota has dramatically mobilisation, conscientisation and representation in the lo- as the main reason for not signing. lors); Vacoas-Phoenix (18 council- increased women’s representation political commitment by all. cal government follow- “The Constitutional changes to al- lors); and Curepipe (15 councillors). without constituencies being re- Cehl Meeah, a Member of Par- ingM the amendment of its Constitution low for a quota in the local gov- Ptr and PMSD cleared 33 female served for women. liament and leader of the Mauritian to allow for affirmative action. ernment elections have effectively candidates out of 90 while 32 can- Namibia, South Africa and Mo- Solidarity Front (FSM), commented Women’s representation increased nullified Mauritius’ reasons for not didates contested for the seats using zambique have a Proportional Rep- at a political meeting at ValléePitot from 6.4 per cent to 26.2 per cent dur- signing,” said Lowe-Morna. MMM and MSM tickets. Of the 489 resentation (PR) or list system, in on 27 November that women have ing the elections held in December. She added: “This phenomenal re- 294 registered voters, 247 298 Mau- which voters vote for a party, rather no right to be involved in politics. The Local Government Act of sult should also encourage Mauritius ritians voted. than individuals, with candidates Thus the increase in women who 2011 was amended to compel po- to extend the quota to the national Thus the two alliances ensured presented in prioritised lists. The have been voted into local govern- litical parties to field a minimum of level for the 2015 elections.” that they nominated one third of PR system coupled with legislated ment shows that citizens are mov- one third of candidates of either sex Among its 28 targets, the SADC women to vie for the election in line or voluntary party quotas works ing away from stereotypes towards a for the municipal and village council Gender Protocol aims to achieve with the 2011 Local Government well in increasing women’s repre- more affirming position that women elections. gender parity by 2015, also the dead- Act. sentation. make a difference in politics. Prime Minister Navin Ramgool- line for Millennium Development Thirty three women (36.6 per Lesotho and Tanzania have First am announced that there will be Goal 3 – Gender equality. cent) won municipal council seats Past the Post Systems. But in these Empowerment major electoral reforms for the next This is the first time in the his- out of the 90 seats earmarked for the countries, 30 per cent of the seats are Gender Links Mauritius trained parliamentary elections scheduled tory of Mauritius that a critical mass election. reserved for women, and these are several women candidates in the for 2015, to extend the quota for of women has made it into local gov- In the 130 villages, 3984 candi- distributed on a PR basis. When Le- run up to the elections. The wom- women to national parliament, and ernment. The increase is a result of dates including 1183 women par- sotho tried the alternative method en were trained on such things as sign the Southern Africa Develop- years of activism, supported by driv- ticipated in the election for the 1170 of reserving constituency seats for building relations with the media, ment Community (SADC) Protocol ers of change like Minister Herve village council seats. 297 women women candidates in an earlier elec- campaigning and creating cam- on Gender and Development. Aimee in an article titled New Act (25.4 per cent) and 873 (74.6 per tion, this was met with resistance paign slogans. “Mauritius has shown us that with set to increase women’s participa- cent) men won. and backlash. Activists must now ensure that political will, nothing is impossible,” tion in local government. Out of the 1260 seats contested they scrutinise the number of wom- said Colleen Lowe Morna, Chief Ex- for in municipal and village elections, Approach en who will become Presidents of ecutive Officer Gender Links. She Parties 330 women (26.2 per cent) made it What distinguishes the Mauri- District Councils and Mayors. Prior added: “The challenge now is to fol- Two major political alliances into local government after the De- tian elections from others in the re- to the December 2012 local elec- low through this phenomenal break- contested the elections: the Labour cember 2012 elections. gion is that parties had to field one tions, there were no female Presi- through.” Party (Ptr) and PartiMauricien Social From second lowest, Mauri- third either women or men, but with dents in District Councils. Mauri- Democrate (PMSD), which contested tius now occupies sixth position in no guaranteed or reserved seats for tius only had one female Mayor. It Provisions for seats with the Mouvement Militant SADC region after Lesotho (48 per them. The danger with such an ar- is imperative that the women who Mauritius and Botswana are the Mauricien (MMM) and Mouvement- cent), Namibia (42 per cent), South rangement is that voters can decide have been elected be trained to lead only two Southern African Develop- SocialisteMauricien (MSM). Africa (38 per cent), Mozambique not to vote for women. the different councils and in turn ment Community (SADC) countries A total of 90 councillors had to (36 per cent) and Tanzania (34 per “What is unique about these elec- serve as role models to other women that have not signed the SADC Pro- be elected in five municipal coun- cent). tions is that voters affirmed women who aspire to become politicians. tocol on Gender and Development. cils: Port Louis (24 councillors); The local elections in Mauritius candidates,” said Lowe-Morna add- Courtesy of Gender Links 8 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Strong women emerge to lead in Maasai land …By Antony Tiapukel

hrough the Affirmative Action, Maasai women can at last contest for political seats and many otherT opportunities available to them through the Constitution of Kenya 2010. As the country gears up for elec- tions in two months, the race for Narok County women representa- tive seat has intensified following entry of Soipan Tuya, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Tuya being the more educated of the other four front runners, has an upper edge having been proposed by a section of opinion leaders in the community to replace the late Patricia Parsitau who died last year. Tuya is the daughter of former Narok South MP Samson ole Tuya and has a keen interest in public interest litigation. She is also an advocate for gender integration as a critical tool for sustainable devel- opment. Education Tuya undertook undergraduate studies in law at the University of Nairobi and later on pursued a Mas- ter of Laws degree at the University of Washington, in the United Staes of America. She is described as a blessing to the Maasai women following her vast experience in the area of hu- Soipan Tuya, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya has joined man rights, gender and access to the race for the Narok County women representative seat. Her justice. candidature enjoys support from local opinion leaders. Inset Caption: Tuya also worked with the Min- Lydia Masikonde who is a member of the Coalition for Reforms and istry of Justice, Kituo cha Sheria, Democracy (CORD) election board. Photos: Antony Tiapukel Mainyoito Pastoralist Integrated Development Organization (MPI- political parties as amongst others to ernor or the senate positions. In the DO) and the government task force respect and promote gender equal- six constituencies in the County on community land and USAID. ity,” says Ntimama. only one woman has come out to She is a member of the Law So- The Constitution provides that appeal to the voters to give her a ciety of Kenya, the UN Permanent Parliament shall formulate a law chance to be their member of Na- Forum on Indigenous Peoples and to promote the representation of tional Assembly. the Global Indigenous Women women, persons with disabilities, However, Janet Naserian, the Caucus. ethnic and other minorities and first wife of the former Internal marginalized communities in Par- Security Minister Julius Sunkuli, Discrimination liament. is eying Kilgoris seat on an ODM For a long time, the Maasai com- ticket. munity has discriminated against Ruling Apart from those who have women like Tuya when it comes to However, the Supreme Court in shown interest in elective seat, leadership positions due to the ret- an advisory to the Attorney Gen- Everlyne Chepkurui Wastabei, who rogressive cultural practices and eral ruled that this should be pro- unsuccessfully contested Narok dominance of men in a deeply rooted gressive and cannot happen in the South Parliamentary seat in 2007, culture. 2013 elections but should wait until is now gunning for the position of In the rich history of the commu- 2015. Deputy Governor. nity only three women have defied The new dispensation ensures odds to be elected as leaders in Narok that women and men will have the Resources County. right to equal treatment and op- The inability of women to run The three in Narok and Trans portunities in political, economic, for the gubernatorial, senate and Mara county councils played sec- cultural and social spheres without parliamentary seats is due to lack of ond fiddle to men. These are for- discrimination. resources to mount a serious cam- mer County Council vice chairper- The women representative seat paign like their male counterparts. son Agnes Pareiyo from Sakutiek is already overcrowded with seven “Culture among the Maasai and the ward who has also set her eyes on aspirants in the race down from Kipsigis has subjugated the women state of affairs adding that men have shied away because of the percep- the Narok County Women Rep- eight after the death of Patricia Par- for long. upheld a culture that women should tion in the society that they are not resentative seat, Lorna Nkokuwa sitau. Women on the other hand have be led and women have believed in good leaders. He terms the move as who represents Ildamat ward and Among those who have interest yielded to this warped thinking. the same. unfortunate because it has worked Lucy Ololngojine who represents and are ready to face off with Tuya That they deserve less than men,” “For a long time the Maasai cul- against them for a long time. Shurtuka ward in Transmara in are Lydia Masikonde, daughter to says Ntimama during an interviewed ture has been patriarchal and it will “A perception that has been cre- the last local Authrotiy assemblies. Heritage Minister William ole Nti- with Kenyan Woman in Narok town. take time to change this. ated is that women must be led. No women have ever been elected to mama, Female Genital Mutilation She challenged women not to be Majority of the women have Many have even used religious sto- parliament by the community. anti-crusader Agnes Pareiyo, for- contended with what she calls ‘kiti been made to rely on their husbands ries to spread and maintain such mer teacher Janet Nchoko, Eunice ile yenu’ and added that the women in decision making. They have not belief. Maasai women like other Gender Rule Marima, a former media broad- should come out and use their nu- been given opportunities to prove women from Kenya have the ability The provision on one third gen- caster and women’s leader as well as merical strength to win the several their leadership,” says Simat. to be good managers,” says Sonkori. der rule in the new constitution has wife to the former Narok North MP seats in the county government. She urges men to give women acted as an eye opener and empow- Moses Marima, Immediate univer- a chance to prove their leadership Attitude erment to the Maasai women who sity student Mercy Cherotich Tem- Crisis abilities. He refuted claims that lack of can now have a say in public and bur and Agnes Shonko. Women rights activist Mary resources make women shy away. political representations. Simat fears that it will be hard to Violence Some women are even wealthier Lydia Ntimama who seats at the Challenges conduct the activities of the county “Women shy away from politics than some male aspirants seeking Cord’s election board, said the new Despite the new constitution, government if the one-third rule is because of violence and harassment elective posts,” observes Sonkori. Constitution guarantees women at most of the women are still shying not achieved. by their men rivals. We must give He adds: “We have had young least one-third minimum in elective from elective positions due to the “Over 98 per cent of the aspirants women their chance to seek political men who don’t have resources public bodies. dominance and dictatorial tenden- for the Members of County Assembly offices and lets us not scare them,” trounce wealthier men. Women “It ensures that gender equal- cies by Maasai men. are men. How then will the County she observes. need to change the attitude that ity is maintained in political parties So far no single woman has de- achieve the one third?” posed Simat. Maasai Professionals Chairman they have and go for these seats that providing a basic requirement for clared interest to contest for the gov- Simat accuses men over the current Joseph ole Sonkori says women have the new constitution has created.” 9 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Firearms syndicate thrives in Northern Kenya …By Hussein Dido and they prefer Fridays as they are able to mingle with people in the t is a busy market day at Dadajib- mosque for special Friday prayer and ula border town and the searing sneak to houses of their contact per- heat brings new hope for women sons undetected. conducting business in make- They are always five agents and Ishift structures. they move and walk separately. It is Women clad in bui bui are en- hard for authorities to detect them as gaged in booming business with ma- they have lived here in Dadijibula for jority selling tea, coffee, water and many years and they are from a local khat to residents who take refuge in sub clan. So it is hard to know them the makeshift structures. unless you know the network very To many, it is business as usual at well,’’ he said. the Dadajibula border post but be- The meetings only last for two hind the scenes is a well-orchestrated hours and the deals are sealed before headlines when Al-shabaab fighters illegal money cartel that engages in illegal firearm the delegation moves back to Somali stormed the town to rescue a foreign transfer agencies trade with ease. through undesignated exit points and fighter who was intercepted and ar- set up as whole- The cartel comprises of women they move in tactical methods where rested by Kenyan police as he was sale and business and men clad in turbans, kanzu and each individual moves separately and trying to sneak into the Somalia side enterprises only bui bui as they carry out the intri- they converge at one point when they of the Border. The rescued suspect to transfer money cate trade with precision in selected cross the border. was indeed a British national Mr Jer- to another enter- homes that are owned by their fixers The meeting is always attended maine Grant rearrested in Mombasa prise or individual and local agents. by five Al-shabaab agents who report with cache of explosive. based in Somalia back to a deputy commander based and northern Ke- Deals in Kismayu. They collect cash which Transactions nya urban town. The trade is usually done in meet- can either be in the form of dollars Freelance agents will pick the The transac- ings held in the afternoon to wade off to the local agents in Dadajibula or money and immediately dispatch tions are based suspicion. The meetings are very cru- alternatively they are asked to deliver it to another agent and the same on trust and an cial and are meant to seal illegal fire- the money to Al-shabaab agents in transaction will go through a chain enterprise in Nai- Women engage in lucrative trade in the makeshift arm deals. Here money is collected Nairobi, Mombasa, Garissa, Nakuru, of agents in Kenya before it is finally robi will collect structures at the Dadajibula border point. Inset: Police and firearms delivered by the Al-sha- Eldoret, Kisumu, Isiolo, Meru, and sent to an agent in Somalia town who the cash from officers man Dadajibula boarder point following baab militia groups near Dadijibula. Moyale. will withdraw and deliver it in cash to Al-shabaab agent increased insecurity in the region. Photos: Hussein Dido Agents arrange couriers in their pre- the Al-shabaab deputy commander. and orders busi- ferred methods of fetching the cargo Proceeds The Al-shabaab agents arenessmen in other opted for black market where they to various towns in Eastern province, But our source within the arms changed each week to collect and re- towns or businesses to pay certain deposit money in shops, wholesales, North Eastern and other parts of trading business informed us that mit the cash and seal new arm deals. individual the cash that was depos- lodges, spare part shops, hotels food country. Al-shabaab prefers arms payment Local agents are also trained on ited with the enterprise. Such modes stores which are purposely estab- According to our source in Dada- paid to them through agents spread procedures and methods of evading of payments has gained currency and lished to act as a front to international jibula, the meeting takes place once a across Kenya as it is the most secure surveillance or knowing if they are be- popularity that criminal network like crime and transaction that are trans- week due to current security arrange- method and it is easier for Al-shabaab ing trailed and if the customer drop- Al-shabaab and Kenyans groups pay- acted behind that business. Every ments along the border. The Kenya franchise in Kenya to use funds in re- ping the money is under surveillance ing handsomely for arms escape any month the network transacts millions Defence Force has been waging war cruiting idle Kenyan youths to join its or closely followed. detection in term of financial trans- of dollars to pay for services, arms and against Al-shabaab at the Kenya-So- Jihad training camps in Kismayu and Changing of the agents across the action and money transfer records. other crimes. The government needs mali border and has been able to cap- Bardera and also procuring medical country indicates that the Al- shabaab According to Ibrahim Derre , to move fast and close these illegal en- ture major towns. services from Nairobi based medical has established a strong network in a clerk with one of leading money terprises.’’ When we visited the border town fraternity sympathetic to Al-shabaab Kenyan towns. transfer agencies based in Garissa, the A source who sought anonym- in trail of underworld arms trading, cause and struggle. The intricate web has evaded gov- criminal networks and other people ity alluded to various businesses we established that the meeting is The local Al-shabaab franchise ernment officials and protected their doing illegal business have resorted to set up by Al-shabaab in Kenya with held once a week due to the heavy in Kenya is also tasked with the role informal money transfer agency that backdoor methods of paying for their proceeds from arms sales, human presence of security personnel in the of using part of the arms proceeds to rakes millions of shillings in the illegal illegal products or crime and bypass- trafficking payments, tax evasion of area source for legal services to any of its trade. ing registered money transfer agen- goods from Kismayu port and dump- In the past they used to frequent sympathisers arrested and charged in An insider in the informal money cies that are accountable to Kenyan ing it in northern Kenya and millions the area to meet with their local con- Kenyan courts. transfer industry intimated that Al- authority. flowing to them from Middle East tact persons but things have changed Dadajibula town which is the shabaab and other criminal networks Individuals or networks doing and other sympathisers based in the now as they only come once a week epicentre of the illegal trade hit the in Somalia and Northern Kenya use dubious and illegal transaction have diaspora. Proliferation of small arms blamed on porous border …By Hussein Dido

afer World International and Peacenet Kenya have attributed the proliferation of small arms and light weapon in the region to a porous border and the need byS the pastoralists to protect themselves against attacks and raids. Abdia Mohamed a peace activist in the region urged women in the area to be in the forefront of promoting peace and measures to curb the prolif- eration of arms and weapons in the region. She said Safer World International will re- vive community based policing to enable the community expose individuals who engage in the trade. award for promoting peace and fighting against Vulnerability small arms and light weapon in the region. Mohamed said women and children are She says she opted to crusade for peace in more vulnerable when conflict erupts. the year 1997 at the height of inter-tribal con- She said hundreds of women and children Abdia Mohamed and Hussein Mursal spearhead a peace campaign to urge flict in Isiolo where hundreds of women were are languishing in Internally Displaced camps communities to surrender small arms and light weapons. The exercise is supported by displaced and others widowed. where they have sought refuge owing to con- Safer world International. Right: A herder takes his camels to the watering point. It Abdia told reporters in Isiolo that peace flicts largely blamed on the proliferation of is highly suspected that some firearms are secretly sneaked into the country through work was in her heart and urged women to small arms and light weapon and called for herders who move from one place to the other. come up strongly and form organizations that policy to address the menace once and for all. Photo: Hussein Dido are aimed at addressing challenges faced by She spoke shortly after she received an women in the country. 10 Issue Number 34 • February 2013

Slum women championing Plea for peace and proper sanitation security …By Carolyne Oyugi ahead lections’ fever is in the air and many Kenyans are already in the campaign mood as evi- denced by posters of aspiring of polls leadersE wooing the electorate. …By Diana Wanyonyi Most aspirants for the six elective positions up for grabs are focusing omen aspirants at on slum areas, because of their dense the Coast have pe- population. titioned the gov- Around the slums, the colourful posters are bigger and cover every ernment to pro- available space. According to Doris Wvide them with security. Museti, a resident of Mukuru kwa Reu- According Dorcas Gibran, ben slum, this strategy is deliberate. the chairperson of Sauti ya Wa- “Everyone knows that the slums nawake Pwani, many women are densely populated and if you con- aspirants dropped their po- vince the voters to back you for par- litical bids citing threats from liamentary, gubernatorial or senate either their opponents or un- seats then you are sure of winning,” known people. observes Museti. “We are worried about the Numbers safety of women aspirants. In Mukuru kwa Reuben, for exam- 2007 some women were beat- ple, has a population of over 600,000 en and injured during their and many families live in corrugated campaign rallies,” said Gibran. iron shacks measuring 10 by 10 feet. She added: “Reports to police Museti, however, regrets that poli- have never been acted upon ticians have been misusing women to date. No suspects have been and youth in the area because they are arrested or arraigned to court. poor and desperate. Most women aspirants are “All that the many women and afraid because of lack of secu- youth are doing is to sing around the r it y.” politicians for only KSh50 each,” she Gibran who leads the larg- explains. It is for this reason that 20 women est women’s network in Mom- from this informal settlement with the call of nature. basa said the government must support from Muungano wa Wanavi- Even using the plastic bags for come out and speak about se- jiji, an umbrella group championing toilet proves challenging especially curity for women who cannot the rights of the residents, with em- for those with children. Initially the afford to pay personal body- phasis on Women and Sanitation, women would call each other and guards. have come together to solve issues go out in groups, but insecurity has “We are pleading to wom- that affect them directly. Top in their made that impossible for them now. en aspirants to report cases of list is sanitation and peace-building. “We used to call each other and go violence to relevant authori- This women group that started to an open field as a group for security ties for prompt action and last year September will not rest un- reasons even though this also came with the cases should be dealt with til they achieve their goal which is to risks,” says Mulewa. She notes: “We have a clean and secure environment. would still be attacked by thugs who firmly without taking sides,” Lack of proper sanitation facili- pretended to be women in our midst.” she lamented. ties in residential areas has a negative Gaudencia Ambei, another resi- Support impact on the health and economic dent, is concerned about the children. development of communities con- They are exposed to things that they Gibran at the same time cerned. And when there is poor sani- do not even understand hence risking called on men to support tation it is the women and girls who their health. women who are contesting are hit hardest. “I feel a lot of pain when I see for different political seats. In Mukuru Kwa Reuben, near Nai- children playing with used con- “We need support from robi’s Industrial Area, residents are in doms. They innocently play with men, they should know that physical contact with human waste. them thinking they are balloons,” Muungano wa Vijiji members clean up their neighbourhood in we are human beings and the A walk along the narrow corridors says Ambei. She notes that because Mukuru Kwa Reuben slum. The women have been in the fore constitution vests equal to of the poorly planned slum is full of of this some children have contracted front fighting for a cleaner and safer environment. both gender,” she added. strange diseases with symptoms like raw sewer that flows past door steps. Pictures: Akiba Mashinani Trust. There are also plastic bags of dumped red lips and rashes on their bodies. According to Millicent human waste scattered around. Odhiambo, Mombasa Resi- Action things in place, someone who can The group will also be claiming dents Association, the Gov- Challenges Due to the challenges of hygiene fight for our rights as clearly stipulat- that the titles to these plots are no ernment must take neces- According to Museti this is a big and insecurity, the slum women have ed in the Constitution,” she reiterates. longer valid because the legal owners sary steps to curb insecurity challenge for women because they been mobilising the residents to clean The slum residents also blame the have failed to use the land for the pur- ahead of the General Elec- have nowhere to dispose their sani- up the area on a monthly basis. They landlords for constructing houses pose it was allocated. tions saying that women and tary towels during their menstrual unblock the drainage and collect gar- without toilets and bathrooms. These Most residents fear that the ruling children are most victims. period. bage. However, even these noble ef- landlords do not understand the im- will be like a double-edged sword and “Every time the country “Being a densely populated area, forts are not without challenges. “At portance of sanitation and they ironi- will either improve or destroy their goes for elections, cases of inse- every day there must be a woman who times we clean the area and collect the cally say they cannot risk spending lives. curity escalate, a trend that has is in her menses yet we have nowhere garbage but the City Council does not a lot of money constructing toilets With all these problems being ex- to dispose the soiled towels,” Museti come to pick it hence it flows back to while they can be evicted any time. perienced in the slum, the residents painted bad picture of the na- laments. She adds: “It is embarrassing the compounds,” says Museti. The area occupied by Mukuru and especially the women want to elect tion to international countries,” to see soiled sanitary towels strewn But the slum residents are not giv- kwa Njenga has been under dispute leaders who have their interest at heart said Odhiambo. She added: carelessly everywhere.” ing up. They keep on trying to make between title deed holders and the and will make sure that they are safe “During skirmishes, men ran Other than issues of hygiene, gen- sure that no matter what they will not slum dwellers. The residents have and healthy. for their own safety leaving be- eral security is also worrying for the give up. With time, the turn up for the already gone to court to lay claim to hind women and children to women. Phyllis Mulewa, also a resi- clean-up has gone down because the the land on which they have lived for Facilities fight for themselves. The Gov- dent of the slum is concerned about residents are not seeing the impact. years claiming that there are politi- This slum in Embakasi Con- ernment should take necessary the security issues. “Some even claim that we are being cians who have interest in it. stituency lacks basic facilities and action to prevent violence and yet last year it received a Constitu- “Here you cannot walk out of paid so we should do all the work,” bloodshed again.” your house after 7 pm. Chances are Museti laments. Campaign ency Development Fund (CDF) of that whoever you meet at that time It is because of this that they are Muungano wa Wanavijiji, has al- KSh89,678,893 for the year 2012- is either a thief, drunkard or rapist,” rethinking how they will go about ready started the court case and the 2013. The funds must have gone to Mulewa. The situation is trick espe- voting come March 4. “This is why women are collecting 10,000 signa- other activities that do not prioritise cially if one and yet has to answer to we need to have leaders who will put tures to support their case. slum concerns. 11 Issue Number 34 • February 2013

Women Women won’t wait empowered …By Joyce Chimbi t independence, the government iden- through tified poverty and unemployment as the twin challenges facing the country and embarked on a long and winding journey to address this challenge. micro finance A …By Joyce Chimbi “Over the years, it has become clear that both men and women experience poverty in very dis- tinctive ways. Poverty has for many years worn a hen the government set female face. For a long time many women have up the Women Enter- been unemployed while others work in low in- prise Fund in December come jobs, doing work that is unacknowledged 2006, the objective was and often unpaid,” explains Dr Wilfred Subbo, a toW create an avenue for women to access lecturer in gender and development at the Uni- microfinance credit that was previously versity of Nairobi. out of their reach. In addition, women continue to spend most The Government allocated KSh1 of their working hours doing heavy household billion in the 2007-2008 financial year chores such as walking for many kilometres in towards the Women Enterprise Fund. search of firewood and water. This fund was a gender responsive While a significant number of women often strategy towards addressing poverty have one leg in their reproductive roles and the through socio-economic empower- other in their productive role, the sacrifices they ment of women to enhance entrepre- make to ensure that they create a home for their neurship among women. families while still putting food on the table con- Treasury allocates about KSh2 mil- stantly goes unacknowledged. lion to every constituency for women to access the money in form of loans. Advancement “The establishment of the WEF to Though the country is still struggling to ad- enable women to access micro finance dress the twin problems, women have refused to has seen women in the informal sector wait for hand-outs, or for a good Samaritan to ad- become economically empowered,” ex- dress their plight. plains Dr Wilfred Subbo, a lecturer in The country is now witnessing the emer- gender and development at the Univer- gence of the woman entrepreneur. This is a sity of Nairobi. woman who is ready to face the challenges of earning a living, and making a name in indus- Research tries that since independence were established He observes: “This is important and run by men. because poverty is gendered. Men and Based on years of concerted efforts to im- women experience poverty in very dif- prove the socio-economic status of women, ferent ways. Research has shown that more and more women are becoming house- there are more women living in poverty hold names in their respective fields, making than men because more women are il- millions of money in profit every year. Tabitha Karanja, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Keroche Breweries is literate, thus limiting their chances of among women who have excelled in field’s previously considered male domain. Keroche is exploiting employment opportunities Testimony the first ever brewery to be owned by a Kenyan and a woman that can afford them (a) decent living.” Tabitha Karanja, the founder and Chief Ex- ecutive Officer (CEO) of Keroche Breweries Budget is one such woman. “Keroche is the first ever Jyoti Mukherjee, CEO of Software Technolo- Thousands of Kenyans have either directly or The national budget has been an op- brewery to be owned by a Kenyan and a woman. gies Limited joined forces with her husband to indirectly derived their livelihoods from such portunity for the Government to show She battled it out in a male dominated industry open a printing supplies shop in Nairobi over companies,” Ndung’u explains. its commitment in raising and spend- to emerge as one of the top players in the brew- two decades ago. Today, the company which be- Recently, six Kenyans made it to the list of ing resources, it is also through this eries business,” explains Tony Ndegwa. gun with only five employees is one of Africa’s Forbes’ 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. budget that the Government has been He notes: “When she launched her products, leading software distribution companies. These women included Julie Gichuru, a re- able to address feminization of poverty we saw high level government officials trying to nowned journalist and broadcaster. The wom- in Kenya for instance through provid- stand in her way, but she is still going strong. A Achievement en were selected for having had the biggest ing resources to keep Women Enter- testament that what men can do, women can do.” Mukherjee is one of the few women who have impact on African business, technology, policy prise Fund afloat. Karanja invested in a KSh1 billion plant to founded and run big technology firms in the re- and media. They were all under 45 years. Gender responsive budgeting is a fund a dream whose products are well known to gion. In 2007 she was recognised as the Top ICT reflection of gender sensitive planning many Kenyans. And she is not stopping at alco- Businesswoman in Africa at the African ICT Inclusion and practical solutions towards ensur- holic goods. Her vision is to quench the thirst of Achievers Awards. However, socio-economic success is not just ing that gender inequalities in all facets all Kenyans by including soft drinks in her pro- Like many people who actualise a dream, about the educated career women, it is also about of society are addressed. duction. Joanne Mwangi may have had big plans when the estimated 80 per cent of women who provide “Gender budgeting response doesn’t Sue Muraya is another outstanding woman she founded Professional Marketing Services labour to the agricultural sector and those who mean that the treasury develops two who has touched the lives of many Kenyans (PMS), but it may not have occurred to her run small business. budgets; one for women, and the other through Suraya Property Group, a real estate firm that 16 years later, the small agency would with Women who may not have acquired educa- for men. It means that the government that has provided many Kenyans with decent, time transform into a leading marketing group. tion beyond the gates of the primary schools they shows an awareness of the fact that modern and affordable housing. In 2010 PMS was voted number one in the Top attended but have a drive to run their own small some problems are (particular) to men “With the cost of owning a home skyrocket- 100 SME competition in Kenya. businesses. and others to women," Jacinta Nyachae, ing every year, real estate developers have come In 2009, the chairperson of the Federation These are the same women who have for a an advocate in human rights expounds. on hand and they have something for everyone,” of Women Entrepreneurs Associations (FEWA) long time been considered unbankable. The Gov- observes Jane Ndung’u. beat women entrepreneurs from 75 countries ernment of Kenya in 2006 sought to respond to Approach Providing homes for Kenyans is not all worldwide to emerge winner of the Organization the financial needs of these women. Although women empowerment is Muraya does though. The married mother of of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Wom- When educated career women rise to the top an end itself. It is also a means to an end. three is known to provide wise counsel to those an of the Year award. as the list of women living from hand to mouth Raising the country’s Gross Domestic yearning to possess their own homes such as “It is important to note that these companies, continues to grow, this does not reflect women Product, and increasing national rev- cautioning potential home owners to carefully established and or run by women are not simply empowerment. enue demands participation for all. read the fine print before signing the contract. about personal success, they are also a big part Study In a bid to achieve Vision 2030, Brand of the national economic development picture. more and more women must stand up A study on employment in Kenya by Jacob to be counted among those moving the When Njeri Rionge co-founded internet Omolo reveals that: “Women employed in the economy. service provider Wananchi Online, now known “It is important to note that formal sector increased marginally from 26.2 per "Integration of all into the main- as Wananchi Group Holdings, many did not cent in 1995 to 29.5 per cent in 2000, depicting stream development process is in itself envision its success. At the moment, this com- these companies, established a 3.3 percentage point increase over the five-year a realization of the objective to achieve pany is among the biggest brands in East Afri- period. sustainable development. It is also a ca, providing Pay-TV, broadband internet and and or run by women are “The proportion of women in formal sector means to bridge the development gap VoIP services. employment remained constant at 29.6 per cent between men and women. It can also Eva Muraya is also not a stranger to many not simply about personal in the period 2001-2004 but declined to 29.4 per create transparency and accountabil- Kenyans. Muraya, who is the founder and CEO cent in 2005. It then increased marginally to av- ity because women have been found to of Brand Strategy and Design, a regional brand success, they are also a big erage 30.2 per cent over the 2006-2008 period.” be efficient and effective implementers strategy development agency, was for many It is, therefore, a step in the right direction to part of the national economic of public funds and resources," Subbo years known for her success as the power behind note that while the list of top women entrepre- says. Color Creations Africa Limited, a branded mer- development picture” neurs enlarges, so does the list of women in for- chandise company she established and nurtured mal employment, as well as women running their to great heights. — Jane Ndung’u own business outfits. 12 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Financial intermediaries put on notice

…By Waikwa Maina cate her two children in universities paying an average of Ksh150, 000 inancial intermediaries that breach for every year, while two of her oth- terms and conditions spelt out by the er children are in private boarding Women Enterprise Fund will be black- schools. listed and have their contract with the “Last year, my son was very sick kittyF terminated. but I was able to meet hospital bills At the same time, the fund has embarked on amounting to over Ksh300, 000 out aggressive initiative to assist women beneficiaries of my farming activities,” says Ms of the Women Enterprise Fund in value addition Mwangi, whose son was admitted and marketing of their products. in different hospitals last year due to Among the initiatives are Intra-County Fo- bleeding ulcers. rums, Inter-County Forums and National Fo- rums where the women can meet to exchange Management entrepreneurial ideas as well as form and create The farmer admits that poor land business partnerships. management and lack of capital are “We have started with Intra-County forums key issues affecting many farmers. where women from a given county can meet and “I was in similar situation; I could learn from their successful counterparts. This is not even afford to pay women go- an inter-linkage exercise we want to roll out in all round groups contributions and I was counties in the country,” said the funds market- blacklisted in most of them, eventual- ing and research manager Mr John Njogu. ly, I had to retreat in solitary confine- ment. Our small piece of land could Partnership not afford to feed the family leave He adds that the initiatives seek to increase alone paying school fees,” she recalls. women’s access to markets and networking But she had ideas on the type of through interactions, since, it is easy for the farming she wanted to do, she was women to get markets for their products when convinced that with proper manage- they share ideas. ment her small piece of land could The kitty has also partnered with other play- transform the family’s lifestyle. ers such as Kenyatta University for Export Pro- The turning point came when she motions Council among others, all to assist in attended a funeral where the chief market research and quality products. talked about the Women Enterprise Ms Virginia Kuria, the funds ICT manager Fund. She went for more information said the management is taking stock of financial on the kitty from chief. intermediaries that have made it cumbersome Later, she visited Taifa Sacco to for upcoming women entrepreneurs to access apply for the loan. the funds. “The branch manager could not trust me. I “We have conducted empowerment pro- was frail and looked older than my age. It took grams with the intermediaries so as to reign in a lot of time to convince the manager that fish on those that continue to exploit women or fail farming project I wanted to undertake was to honor our terms and conditions. Culprits will able to repay back the loan. Due to that per- be blacklisted and the fund will cut their link sistence, he advised me to do a proposal, I told with them. We have also conducted a research him I have never done one but he told me to on challenges facing both the women and the put down whatever I was telling him in writing intermediaries and everything has now been in any language even if it was in Kikuyu, I did harmonized,” said Ms Kuria. it and took it to him the following morning,” The fund has 105 intermediaries spread all she recalls. over the country. In a bid to monitor how the funds are uti- Progress lized, each intermediary is required to submit its By this time, the manager had started to ad- reports to Women Enterprise Fund every three mire her courage and sincerity, but he had more months on how they have released the funds. doubts when he visited the hilly location where The minimum ceiling for group appli- Ms Rebecca wanted to do fish farming, but fi- cants will also be increased from Ksh50, 000 to nally, the manager decided to take the risk. Ksh200, 000. She started with one fishpond and used its Launching of the Intra-County program in returns to invest in two more fishponds. Nyeri was done at Ms Rebecca Mwangi farm, After repaying the loan, she applied for an- who has created an empire out of the Ksh35, other one amounting to Ksh80, 000, which she 000 loaned to her from the kitty in 2008. repaid and applied for Ksh100, 000 more, and, In Central Province, land scarcity is a key from that time, life has never been the same Women Fund ICT Manager Ms Virginia Kuria during the launch of Intra County Linkage challenge facing families. Majority of the home- again. Program in Nyeri. Inset: Women group leaders in Nyeri follow a training session during the steads rely on half an acre for subsistence farm- Ms Rebecca is engaged in six farming proj- launch of Intra County Linkage Program in the area. Photos: Waikwa Maina ing, while in others, it has become impossible ects in her small farm namely dairy goat, bee to subdivide their land, with dwelling houses keeping, fish farming, rabbit farming, bricks squeezed in the only available piece of land. making and coffee farming each complementing The land factor together with poor land the other for maximum returns. ket. On average, the fish farming project brings with experience, she has learnt that best depth management skills, lack of commercial farming Out of her fifteen beehives, she is able to her an average of Ksh 200, 000 annually, and she is five feet deep, for water security reasons, giv- skills and lack of capital to engage in diversified harvest an average of 365 kilograms of honey is able to harvest 75 percent of the fish/finger- ing the fish enough breeding and playing space commercial farming practices has contributed to each selling at an average of Ksh600 per kilo. lings during each harvesting season. among others. She does not recommend an high poverty levels in this region. She recalls that during the first harvest, she inch above the 5feet deep it will be extra cold Proceeds only harvested 400 mature fish out of expected for the tilapia fish and poor circulation of air. Model In the same farm, she has five fishponds each 600 fish in a fishpond measuring 125m by 5m She says the recommended weight for har- But Miss Rebecca Mwangi from Kangocho producing an average of 500 fingerlings selling and 3feet deep, as many died due to stress and vest is between 350grams to 400grams, a size village in Mathira constituency Nyeri County is each at Ksh10, while mature fish sells at between lack of proper skills on fish farming. most preferred by customers in major hotels. a testimony of how determination to commer- Ksh80-Ksh120 per harvest depending on mar- The recommended depth of a fishpond is In the same farm, she has daily goats that cial farming can change lives. normally three feet but the farmer says that bring her between Ksh80 and Ksh120, 000 an- She has created an empire and job oppor- nually. tunities out of her less than one-acre parcel “We have conducted empowerment programs with the Rabbits occupy a small space in her farm of land, all from an initial capital of Ksh35, but they all rake in an average of Ksh300, 000 000. On average, she is now earning between intermediaries so as to reign in on those that continue to annually. Ksh750- Ksh1.2 million from her one acre piece exploit women or fail to honor our terms and conditions” Ms Virginia Kuria, the ICT Manager with of land annually. Women Enterprise Fund described Ms Rebecca Out of this piece of land she is able to edu- — Virginia Kuria, WEF ICT Manager. as a role model in the Women Enterprise Fund. 13 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Women in Narok take a second chance at education …By Joseph Munene “My life as a student ends in the classroom or years, women in Narok because once I get home have been without education I become a wife and and hardly participated in de- hardly get the chance cision making platforms. This to revise or do assign- Fhas left them at the mercy of men with ments,” Ntutu notes. majority living in abject poverty. Having completed her Majority have been forced out of primary school education school and married off at a tender age at 15, Ntutu was immedi- in actions that have shattered their ately married off to an old dreams for education. man, but this did not kill Despite their hard work, women her passion for education. Scores of women attend classes at the Ololulunga Narok Centre for Adult and Continuing Education in Narok town. in Narok County are often side-lined “In those days cul- Majority of these women have enrolled for the adult education programme to reclaim their place in the community. in the management and use of re- ture was the overriding Photo: Joseph Munene sources they have helped to generate. factor and rarely did a However, the scenario is quickly girl disobey her father’s coming to an end as scores of wom- decision. Rescue centres as a waste of time and a ploy to avoid you although they are illiterate,” says required to pay fees and buy learning en have enrolled for adult education were also few and I had no option,” work. Sometimes this has fanned dis- Florence Partungas, an adult learner. materials that makes it hard for many programme in a bid to reclaim their she recalls. unity in the family. It is even worse A mother of three, Partungas says who cannot afford. place in the community. The mother of five children sat for when a husband and his wife attend that although she passed well and Over 2,000 women in Narok KCSE together with her second born the same class and the wife scores was to join Naivasha Girls’ Secondary Ambition have enrolled for the adult educa- child. She says her choice to go back higher marks than the husband. School, her parents could not afford For Winnie Ntutu a house wife tion programme despite the myriad to school did not go well with many the fees. and mother of two who had dropped of challenges. but she remained determined. Even Stereotype “I was then married off against out of school due to early pregnancy, Among them is Margret Ntutu her children and husband could not Some members of the commu- my wish. I promised myself to con- adult learning programme will en- who is sat for her Kenya Certificate understand her decision. nity also try to label female adult tinue with education because it is able her achieve her aspiration of be- of Secondary Education examina- learners as ‘promiscuous’ but this has never too late,” she explains. coming a leader. tion last year. She is grateful she had Determination not deterred them from going back to Narok is one of the counties with “The new constitution has given a second chance to go back to school She has been going to Ololulunga class. a high number of school drop outs women many opportunities and and hopes she will achieve her dream Narok Centre for Adult and Continu- “You have to remain firm and and if adult education gets more sup- rights and without education it is of obtaining a degree in Early Child- ing Education in Narok town, the determined because you are the only port many women will benefit. Adult hard to realise them,” she says. hood Education in the near future. only adult secondary school in the one who knows your aspirations. education is not factored in the free She encourages women to get county. There are so many people out to jeer education programme. Learners are education to become enlightened de- Schedule Like many other women Ntutu spite the challenges that they encoun- “It has not been easy to double believes that education will open up “You have to remain firm and determined ter. “The Government should also up both as a student and a mother. new opportunities. Many of them are campaign for adult education to help I am glad that I have made it and I saving money to pay for school fees because you are the only one who knows your eradicate illiteracy,” she observes. will sit for my KCSE this year. I am and buy learning materials. Although discrimination against expecting grade C plus and above,” Most women are married to men aspirations. There are so many people out to women has been overtaken in some says Ntutu, who has been working with no education and this has in parts of the county such as Loita and as an Early Childhood Development some cases curtailed their bid to join jeer you although they are illiterate.” Mosiro, girls are still dropping out of teacher with Narok County Council. adult learning centres as they see it — Florence Partungas, adult learner school in large numbers.

One man’s war boost’s girl child education …By Yusuf Amin However, through human rights activists observes. bers of girls pursuing secondary education in in the area, efforts are being made to ensure Many a time, Baraka will be found sitting the area. oor leadership in Ganze District in that the number of women accessing educa- under a tree as he contemplates on how he was His efforts are supported by Betty Menza, Kilifi County has been blamed on tion in Ganze increases so that they will be going to rescue child brides who have been who advocates for the rights of girls in the dis- poor education standards among able to get their share of leadership positions. forcefully married off to old wealthy men who trict. Menza says that measures should be put women in the area. For the last one decade, Nzai Baraka has target young girls for marriage. in place to increase the number of girls enroll- PAnyone visiting the district will be wel- been conducting civic education within the ing in and going through school. comed by faces of frustrated women who have community on the importance of educating a Resources Menza urges leaders and parents to pro- lost hope in life due to low levels of education girl child. However, it has not been all smooth. Bara- mote girls’ access to education just like they do in this semi-arid district. In the late 1990s, the Baraka who is based in Vitengeni division ka’s biggest challenge has been lack of resourc- for boys so that development can be enhanced Giriama woman’s role was confined to domes- has been at the forefront in making sure that es to enable him move around despite threats in the district. tic and family responsibilities of cooking and the leaders recognise girls’ education. How- from parents who have taken dowry from the Through the effort made by the activist for caring for their children. ever, his noble efforts, have received resistance wealthy old men. To meet his objective, Bara- the last two years the number of girls accessing from men. ka conducts secret civic education with young education in the district has increased and the Disregarded “The resistance came after some of the girls on the importance of education and on leaders now can sit in groups and discuss on Women would sit under trees and discuss leaders started discriminating the girls and how they can counter the vice of early and their education and related issues freely. issues relating to education but more often giving priority to boy’s education,” he notes. forced marriage that has adversely affected the than not their suggestions would be dismissed Baraka calls on leaders from the region to education levels and enhanced poverty in the Success by the men. They would be asked to forget recognise and respect all genders and stop dis- area. The success of the campaign has been en- about education and instead concentrate on criminating children for the sake of develop- “There are days when I conduct civic edu- hanced by the introduction and implementa- their domestic roles. This is one of the reasons ment in the district. cation to young girls with the help of assistant tion of free and compulsory primary school as to why Ganze women have been left behind chiefs in certain locations to sensitise them education in the past decade. in education compared to those from other Impact on the dangers of getting married while still Hopefully, Ganze will soon see most of her districts in the country. “Discriminating girls in educational mat- young,” explains Baraka. girls complete secondary education and be Leaders in the area have also been blamed ters has contributed to increased cases of He is of the opinion that local leaders are able to join post-secondary tertiary colleges for not offering comprehensive ideas on how school dropouts and early marriage that have to blame for not introducing a special kitty to enable them compete favourably with those to promote girl-child education. been experienced in Ganze over the years,” he for girl child education leading to low num- from other regions in the country. 14 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Mathematician dreams of serving her community through politics …By Adams Kiprop was life changing. She learnt to in- and Mathematics. back to serving the community that teract with children from other com- With a teaching career spanning brought her up. he race to become the first munities and through hard work she over 23 years and laced with multiple Ngetich believes that with the woman representative for excelled in her class work. academic awards, Ngetich says that she leadership skills she has gained over Bomet County has attracted “I was always bold in the classroom has seen many students go through her time and her passion for education four candidates who are keen and would be the first to raise my hand hands and excel in different fields. she can make a difference in the lives Tto make a difference in the lives of the up whenever a question was asked,” A remarkable feat is for the en- of the women and especially the girl- people of the county. she recalls. tire period she served as a principal child. She says that despite the 50 years The race is expected to be stiff with Her stay in Nakuru was however at Kaplong Girls’ High School (1993- of independence and efforts made by every aspirant using their experience in shortlived as she had to relocate to 2000) where she was ranked as the best the government to improve the liveli- both private and public sector to endear her rural home after her father died in head teacher in Bomet and Bureti dis- hoods through various policies, many themselves to voters. 1971 when she was in class four. tricts. women in her county still wallowed in The Kenyan Woman caught up with This was the most trying moment She was also ranked the best biol- poverty due to poor implementation one of the aspirants, Cecilia Ngetich, a in her life and she briefly suffered a ogy teacher in the district and was de- of these policies. former director and Chief Executive of ‘culture shock’ after she discovered that Cecilia Ng’etich, a former director clared the best Biology teacher in Rift “I will use my exposure and experi- the Centre for Mathematics, Science back in the village her classmates did and Chief Executive of the Centre Valley Province in 2000. ence to encourage entrepreneurial skills and Technology in Africa (CEMAS- not take education seriously. for Mathematics, Science and At CEMATSEA, Ngetich had ris- among the women and the youths to TEA). Teachers were also few and most Technology in Africa and an en from being a graduate teacher to a equip themselves with skills in various Ngetich is upbeat that what man used local dialect even when they aspirant for the Bomet County chief executive. She says the promo- areas such as motor vehicle mechanics, can do, a woman can do better. She says taught languages or explained scien- Women Representative seat. Photo: tions were due to her professionalism, plumbing and civil engineering,” says that the women representative seat cre- tific matters. Adams Kiprop commitment and sheer determina- Ngetich. ates room for girls to take up challeng- tion to change the lives of those she She is also advocating for par- ing courses especially in sciences that Passion was entrusted to nurture. ticipation of the men in empowering could help bring development to the However, Ngetich appreciates in 1978 when Kenya’s first president “I always aim at making the future women. county in line with vision 2030. these smaller beginnings saying that Jomo Kenyatta passed on and discus- brighter for the students by laying a Ngetich lauds the participation of “If girls are encouraged and guid- it worked to her advantage. She says sions of his legacy bred uncertainty firmer foundation,’’ she says. the parents in moulding a child. She ed, they can excel very well in sciences,” that when the teachers explained sci- about the country’s future. says that despite being widowed and she says. Born in Tegat village, Bomet ence in Kalenjin, it always left her In 1982, as first year student at Ke- Record illiterate, her mother always impressed County, Ngetich was brought up in a thirsting for more. nyatta University College, their educa- With a membership of 34 coun- the importance of education to her. society that did not appreciate educa- “While such lessons always re- tion was suspended for one year fol- tries in Africa, Ngetich says that the Married to Linus Ngetich, she tion especially for the girl child. “Then mained a mystery to many, they always lowing the abortive military coup. organization is tasked with changing praises her family saying that they have the community valued cultural activi- provoked curiosity inside me,” she says. She says that the one year break learners’ attitude towards science sub- been very understanding and support- ties such as shift cultivation and pasto- Discovering her love for Science, was a nightmare for the university stu- jects through equipping teachers with ive throughout her career life. ralism,” she recalls. her uncle would later take her to St. dents, as the government believed they practical teaching techniques. Ngetich holds a Masters Degree Mary’s Boarding Primary School in held vital information about the coup. She says that since its inception in in Business Administration (Human Foundation Narok where she met pupils from dif- 1998, the attitude towards subjects like Resource Management) from Ke- “Educating a girl was also seen as a ferent backgrounds and finally sat for Challenges physics has changed and now more stu- nyatta University and has registered ‘waste of resources’ as the girl was re- her CPE in 1974. “After the coup the government dents are taking it in secondary school. for a doctorate in human resource garded as an outsider and would even- She, however, recalls some ‘histor- directed that every Monday, univer- Ngetich joined the organization as management specialising in strategic tually be married off to another family,” ic’ events that rocked her education. sity students must report at the local the CEO in 2009 and her responsibili- planning at Jomo Kenyatta University Ngetich says. In 1974 the CPE exams, which was chief’s office for interrogation with ties spanned from administration, hu- of Agriculture and Technology. Luck was on her side because her fa- then shipped from London in Great the police,” recalls Ngetich. She had to man resource management to finan- She says that it is possible to bring ther who was a polygamist and worked Britain was delayed for ten days after trek for 10 kilometres to the chief's of- cial management. up a family while progressing in your with the Kenya Army enrolled her at a the ship for some unknown reason fice every Monday for one year. The mother of six feels that she has career. She asks those women keen on school in Nakuru together with two of failed to arrive on time. Her teaching career would begin gained enough experience and expo- bringing up a family to start the jour- her siblings. Ngetich then sat for her O-levels at in 1985 after she graduated with a de- sure while serving the country and ney early saying that as one goes up the The cosmopolitan environment Narok High School (now boys’ school) gree in education majoring in Biology the continent and it is time she goes career ladder, commitments increase. Janet pledges to improve women lives …By Munene Maina day I would vie for a political is better placed to address the the living standards of many post. From my childhood I nev- problems bedeviling women in residents. “We had a farming anet Seenoi Nchoko counts er heard a woman contest for the county better and can help project where we grew snow herself lucky that she never leadership in my area since the solve them. peas, French beans, sugar snaps dropped out of school like culture barred them,” she says. “My family was not eco- and passion fruits for export in most of her classmates. However, a leader in her nomically endowed and we Europe. But due to lack of sup- J“I remember several men own rights, Nchoko has been went through many challenges. port the project collapsed,” she sought the approval of my par- helping women in the County I therefore easily understand says adding that the county has ents to marry me while I was still to address a myriad of eco- what many women are going plenty of arable land. at school. But I thank my father nomic challenges. In 2002, she through,” she adds. who stood firm and declined started Enooduat organization Nchoko says leadership is Challenges their offer,” recalls the soft-spo- which has been assisting the girl not about wealth, but comes In a county where many ken Janet. child acquire education besides from God and it is about what women are still delivering at She recalls that most of her supporting and guiding women one can offer to the society to home oblivious of the risks and age mates were married off at groups to come up with income up lift their living standards. She have to walk for long distance to a tender age but today live in generating projects. adds: “It does not matter where access health care, the aspirant squalid conditions. She how- Several women groups are you come from, as long as you promises to ensure more health ever notes that the community now earning from bee-keeping are committed and dedicated to centres are built. She notes that is changing and many girls are and green house projects de- serve the community effectively traditional birth attendants also acquiring education as boys are spite limited funds. Several girls in any capacity.” need training. no longer favoured. have also been supported in She maintains women With a large percentage of “Despite the changes, joining institutions of higher should not sit and wait for oth- girls still dropping out of school Janet Seenoi Nchoko, an aspirant for the Narok County women are still marginalized in learning. ers to fight for their rights, but in Narok annually, Nchoko says Women Rep seat is the founder of Enooduat organization Narok. The leadership has done should raise and fight for their she is committed to ensuring which has been promoting girl child education besides very little to empower them yet Constitution place in society. that no single child ever drops empowering women groups to engage in income generating they have been entrusted with For Nchoko, the new con- Once elected, Nchoko says out. She explains that with more projects. Photo: Munene Maina. important responsibilities in the stitution presents a new dawn her first task will be to eradicate boarding schools, drop out cases society,” adds Nchoko. and serves as an epitome for retrogressive cultural practices will decrease as most problems women’s victory. “The constitu- and establish the place of a wom- emanate from home. skills. steers a sense of confidence she Ambition tion has brought about changes; an in the society. This, she says, “Education plays a key role She does not hide her disap- is equal to the task of represent- The 45-year-old mother of introduced new way of gov- will ensure girls are completing in life. We therefore need peo- pointment at the pathetic state ing women. six children has declared her in- ernance, gender equality and their education and discrimi- ple who will fight for children’s of infrastructure despite the Until her resignation, she terest in the women representa- hence all Kenyans stand a good nation targeting women stops. right to education at any cost. I county being a tourism destina- was a teacher at Masaantare pri- tive seat in Narok. She believes chance to improve their lives,” She plans to conduct massive am ready for it.” tion. She promises to lobby for mary school in Ololulunga. She she has what it takes to cham- she notes. civic education campaign in the Nchoko whose distin- rehabilitation of roads in the started schooling at Ololulunga pion for the interests of women She says she wants to be a county to sensitize the commu- guished talent in music has seen county. day primary school after which and bring the much needed de- role model leader to change nity on women rights. her travel to Kampala, Kigali She further says she will she joined Kilgoris secondary velopment in the county. the perception that women She intends to open up new and South America, pledges to also preach peace and unity school before proceeding to A teacher by profession, cannot lead and help her com- ways for business opportunities nurture different talents to en- to local residents adding that Tambach Teachers Training Col- Nchoko says though she started munity understand the im- that will see more women ven- sure youth benefit from them. peaceful coexistence cannot be lege. She has also been trained in showing leadership qualities portance of education. ture into self-employment. Her songs advocate for the overemphasized. many areas such as leadership. while still at school she never Born and brought up in Nchoko says there is great rights of the girl child. Having been a teacher for The ther is confident that thought that one day she will be Ololulunga, Narok South, potential in agriculture which She also notes that there over 20 years, working with the she will navigate the so called gunning up for a political seat. Nchoko comes from a humble she observes with good lead- is need of more polytechnics community and enjoying in- murky waters and emerge the “I never expected that one background. She says that she ership can be tapped to uplift where youth can learn technical ternational exposure, Nchoko winner. 15 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 At five per cent, women have come a long way …By Joyce Chimbi There are women who fought tooth and nail in courts in order he Kenyan woman has al- to get a share of the land that ways found herself sand- they had tilled and cultivated wiched between a rock for decades when the marriage and a hard place. There are crumbled. Most were awarded Tthose who succumbed to the oppres- very little once the case came to sion of a blatantly patriarchal society, an end after many years of pursu- others have remained strong, defied ing justice. the system and fought for them- The inability of women to selves, their daughters and the wom- have their names on the title en’s movement. deeds has had a ripple effect and Land ownership has been a thorny economic implications that have issue in Kenya since independence. been felt for decades. While both men and women have The most glaring being that been aggrieved by historical injustices most women have remained regarding who owns land, women, peasants and lack the economic above all others groups have been the muscle to use land title deeds as most affected. collateral to acquire loans from Women till land but majority rarely profit from the resource. Intense campaigns have been launched with various Customary laws were for many banks. This has limited their abil- stakeholders to ensure that all women, especially in rural areas are aware of their rights to own land. years significantly gender insensitive, ity to advance socio-economically. and in favour of men. The same hands that till from Across Africa, Kenya included, dawn to break were not allowed there have been highly progressive to sign their names on land cer- nation among my in-laws and I was bank loans continued to marginalize This is in addition to Article 27 in statutory laws that allow every individ- tificates to facilitate land ownership. subjected to insults and ridicule. My women. which women and men have the right ual including women to own and profit “The economy of most African husband left me for another woman “Currently, banks have accounts to equal treatment, including the right from land, but traditional laws rule. countries depend on women who are and my girls got nothing from his targeting women in chamas. Financial to equal opportunities in economic deprived the right to own land. They three acres.” institutions are now pursuing women. (as well as political, cultural and so- Irony toil all day on land that they have neg- Although there are a vast number They have discovered that there is a cial) spheres. This is in spite of the fact that ligible control over, they sustain the of cultural reasons that have contin- lot of liquid money circulating among Kenya is largely dependent on agri- breadbasket regions of many countries ued to bar African women from con- women,” explains Muli. He adds: Reprieve culture and relies on its female popu- that are dependent on agriculture but trolling and profiting from land, these “Women are usually very organized, Although it might be a number lation to keep the significant agricul- their labour is unacknowledged and marginalized women are no longer when they put their mind to it, they of years before the number of women tural sector afloat. However, there is poorly remunerated,” says Mwanaha- playing victims of harmful traditional often achieve much.” with land title deeds rises to desirable a glass ceiling that locks women from misi Salimu, an advocate for women’s practices and attitudes. The banks have also realised that levels, the ground is currently fertile decision making positions. The in- rights to land at OXFAM, Tanzania. women are most reliable when it for women to advance. The law is on ability of most women to have land Scheme comes to repaying loans and hence their side and culture does not su- title deeds removes power to make Discrimination In Kenya, the concept of ‘chama’ they are now targeting them even for persede the Constitution, a fact that decisions on how this land can be A sufficient food base is an undis- (merry-go-round) has revolutionised unsecured personal loans. many Kenyans are now becoming used from their hands. puted prerequisite for development the financial situation of thousands Today land reforms are being en- aware of. At independence, policies and with Kenya perceiving agriculture to of women. Chama is a group saving acted and these have favoured wom- Over the years, women have regulations on land ownership did not be more or less at par with industry and scheme where women save money en. “A key development in Kenya moved from not owning land at in- favour women. For many years, land other sectors of the societies. Nonethe- through table banking. Instead of shar- land tenure reform was the issuing of dependence, to the 1990s where they title deeds had to be in the name of less, despite the massive contribution ing the money amongst themselves at title deeds in the name of the “head held only one per cent of all land titles the head of the house. that women invest in this sector in the end of the month, the money is of the family,” says Elizabeth Nzioki, deeds, to the late 1990s and early 2000 “Although the concept of female terms of labour, they remain marginal- saved and used to buy land for group a researcher. She adds: “The problem where they held only three per cent to headed households did not emerge ized in relation to controlling and prof- members. with the legislation is that the titled now, where they hold about five per the other day, only one gender could iting from this critical resource. “The land, as is in our case, is sold land is being transferred almost ex- cent. head a home,” explains Tim Muli, a The situation is worse among con- for a higher price to enable the chama clusively to male individuals.” The numbers are still low but it is real estate developer. servative tribes such the Pokot where buy small pieces of land that can be Currently, according to the law, still a step in the right direction. Not The situation, therefore, becomes land is only exclusively allocated to split amongst the members. Through specifically Article 60 (f) “Land in only do these women hold the title very complicated when a married men and this has grave cultural impli- this strategy, I now own half an acre,” Kenya shall be held, used and man- deeds, but they can also make deci- couple separates because in Kenya, for cations. explains Njoki. aged in a manner that is equitable, sions on how the land in question many years, The Marriage and Prop- In Kenya, women with no male In addition, banks have opened efficient, productive and sustainable is to be used, whether a loan can be erty Act was silent on how land should children were for years barred from their doors to scores of women and in accordance with the principle acquired against that title deed or be divided under these circumstances using land as was the case with whom they had earlier labelled un- that eliminates gender discrimina- whether the land can be disposed of at making it an exclusive reserve for the Miriam Njoki. “Giving birth to six bankable. Without title deeds and tion in law, customs and practices a price much higher than what it may man in question. girls and no boy was like an abomi- claim to property ownership, strict related to land and property in land”. have cost originally. African women seek ways to better land ownership …By Joyce Chimbi Tanzania will do anything to get mar- to make money,” explains Elizabeth farm like a business, they have grown With a Constitution that has been ried simply for the sake of a burial site Mpofu, SOFF chair. used to running a farm as if it were hailed as one of the most gender sen- n comparison, Kenyan women and withstand unimaginable levels of In Tanzania, “rather than wait to just a way of life; tilling, attending sitive, campaigns to put more girls are well ahead of their counter- abuse from their husbands. fight for the rights of widows, we are to the crops and harvesting without in school and affirmative action, the parts in Tanzania. But even where the number of extending extensive campaigns with thinking of money matters because best is yet to come for Kenyan wom- According to Mwanaha- women who own title deeds is high various stakeholders to ensure that the men handle that aspect. en. misiI Salimu, an advocate for women’s such as in Zimbabwe women rarely all women, especially in rural areas Owning a land title deed creates rights to land at OXFAM in Tanza- profit from land. In Zimbabwe about are aware of their rights to own land. Empowerment a sense of security among Kenyan nia the situation in the neighbouring 20 per cent of women own land and These women are slowly exploiting In Kenya, the women movement women. Majority can now access country is not any different, with only this regarded as one of the highest in various means of controlling land by has done its share of civic education. loans without title deeds through about one per cent of women with title Africa. negotiating with their partners for Women are now fairly empowered Savings and Credits Co-operative deeds. In Zimbabwe, women have more,” notes Salimu. even in marginalized communities, Society (SACCO) that have become “The piece of land is also a burial joined SOFF (Small Organic Farm- In Malawi, women are working in again, perhaps not to the desired lev- extensively popular in Kenya due to place, if a woman dies unmarried she ers Forum) and are using affordable groups and together are able to con- els but the foundation is strong. their attractive rates on loans and in- is buried in the public cemetery which organic inputs, which allows them to trol and profit from land by leasing The number of women in real es- terests. basically means she will be forgotten, make a profit. the land, or owning it as a group. tate is also growing. Even among the Land provides security for the this is likened to being buried like an “We use indigenous seeds, ma- Of course these strategies pose younger unmarried women, the de- woman as well as her children. Kenya animal and one is hence perceived nure, anthills and so on. In fact, we various challenges especially in in- sire to win and develop land is evident. is certainly a long way from indepen- an outcast even in death,” explains are now at a point where we are de- stances where women work as a One of the most recognized names in dence, where decision making and Salimu. She notes the possibility veloping indigenous seed banks for group, management is an issue be- the male dominated real estate field property ownership are a reserve of that most Chagga women who are a sale. We will also soon begin selling cause most of the members do not is that of Sue Muraya who has shown men, but the journey ahead is still long dominant community in Northern other organic inputs such as anthills understand the concept of running a women that it can be done. and winding. 16 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Tanzanians want new law to address to gender based violence …By Privatus Karugendo These discussions strongly indicate that men are the only perpetrators of gender based or Tanzania to move forward and ad- violence. However, focusing on men only, is dress issues of gender based violence, not sufficient enough to reduce or eliminate there is need for aggressive awareness gender based violence altogether. and education campaigns to enlighten “Gender-based violence cannot be blamed Fthe public on the rights of women and chil- on a few perpetrators. Rather, these diverse dren. forms of violence stem from the entrenched Tanzanians say there is a lot of gender based and enduring low status of women and girls violence going on including violence against around the world,” Ambassador Alfonso E. men and those who have embraced same-sex Lenhardt of the United States of America was relationships. quoted in the Daily News of June 2011. According to Kaijage Mutembei, a Master of “The United States is committed to work- Arts student in Development studies at the Uni- ing with governments, multilateral institu- versity of Dar-es-salaam men are to blame for tions, and a wide range of partners — from gender based violence. activists and advocates, to survivors and civil “Gender-based violence is a consequence society leaders — to end impunity, and to en- of gender norms and social and economic in- sure that laws that recognize women’s equality equities that give privilege to men. There is and right to be free from violence are imple- mounting recognition in Tanzania that gender mented fully. We’re working to promote men’s discrimination and gender equity to be some engagement in ending the violence,” Lenhardt of the sources of violence against women and said. girls, but also against men,” Mutembei ex- What this means is that to address gender plained. based violence; focus should also shift to the His sentiments are echoed by Mugana status of women and the economic and social Mushambywa, leader of the Local Govern- issues that breed it. ment in Tabata. However, Mushambywa says The other area is to widen and respect the men too suffer violence and this needs to be rights of minority groups. taken into account when addressing the issue. “In most cases, it is the wives who fall vic- Position tim to the rage of husbands. However, it is im- The proposal by Tanzania Gender Net- perative to mention at the onset that there are working Programme to include the rights of those women who batter men,” notes Mush- homosexual and lesbians in the New Tanza- ambywa. nian constitution, although progressive, was met with harsh words from public. It indi- Statistics cated that gender based violence can also be While Tanzania was rewriting its constitu- perpetrated by the public and people with sec- tion, women in the rural areas told the Consti- tarian interests. tutional Review Commission that the envisaged The Archbishop of Dar es salaam, Cardi- new laws should have provisions that protect nal Polycarp Pengo, was quoted saying: “Ho- them from gender based violence, especially mosexuality is illegal in Tanzania. It is a social cruelty from husbands. and religious taboo, one of the most heinous A recent study in Dar es Salaam revealed sins on earth. God said people should bear Most cases of gender based violence go unpunished. GBV requires an inclusive approach that 33 per cent of married women have expe- children to fill the world.” top help address the vice. rienced physical violence and 23 per cent have “How can a sexual relationship between been subjected to sexual violence. In Mbeya, two men, or two women for that matter, fill 47 per cent complained about domestic abuse the world? This is quite absurd,” Pengo la- selves in homosexuality but we removed them illegal and carry a maximum penalty of life and 31 per cent reported sexual violence. mented. from the team on learning of their behaviour. imprisonment. Sexual acts between women “The women in nearly each region com- From the church, Mkwasa, the coach of We took the decision regardless of the player’s are not mentioned specifically in Tanzanian plained that their husbands often batter them Twiga Stars, a girls’ football team, whose ability and contribution in the team.” law, though the autonomous region of Zanzi- and subject them to untold suffering,” notes members were reprimanded of their sexual He added: “There is this problem that bar outlaws same-sex sexual acts for both men Abdalla Mohamed, a human rights activist. He orientation, said he dealt decisively with the these players want to behave and look like and women. adds: “One of the most painful parts of being a issue. their male counterparts, just because they It is these laws that are cited by people to woman in this country is vulnerability to vio- Speaking to a local TV station, he said: “It play football.” mete violence against those who proclaim or lence.” is true that some of the players engaged them- In Tanzania, sexual acts between men are are believed to be homosexuals. Climate change exposes women to sexual violence …By Said Mmanga ing raped as a weapon of war. ing and watering points. The firewood and industrial activity Other women are sexually ha- women whose husbands or fa- to mention a few. he primary effects of rassed or killed to send a mes- thers died have been exposed to In Tanzania, climate change climate change such sage to the enemy. sexual violations by men taking clearly is seen in various situ- as drought and crop advantage of their situation. ations such as lack of rainfall, failure have serious Prevalence The effect of climate change increasing of salinity in water secondaryT effects that are rarely For example, Kilosa and as witnessed in the drying up wells and decrease of grazing tackled in the interventions to Rufiji districts in the Coastal of wells in Tanzania is anoth- areas in line with the increase of mitigate effects of climate change. Region have witnessed among er source of sexual violence temperature. The social impacts of cli- other things rising levels of gen- against women. Due to this, the mate change in Tanzania are der based violence as communi- women are forced to walk long Action massive. Due to climate change, ties clash. distance in search of water. In What needs to happen is there has been a sharp increase In 2002 during the clashes most cases, women are raped or for the government of Tan- in the conflict between different between farmers and herders sexually molested as they tra- zania and other stakeholders social groups, especially farm- in Kilosa District in Morogoro verse through bushes in search to analyse the effects of cli- ers and pastoralists. The two Region left eight people dead, of water. mate change from a gender groups have intensified fights among them three children Climate change is all about perspective. There is need for over grazing and watering and two women, with over 22 the weather, temperatures, environmental experts, policy points as the resources shrink injured. The conflict occurred drought, exposure to excessive makers and the international due to the impact of climate after farmers complained that rainfall, and wind to mention a community to ensure that pro- change. pastoralists had invaded their few, which is directly linked to grammes are put in place that Attacks and counter attacks land. human activities. Some of the not only mitigate effects of cli- by each group have left women In May last year, massive human activities that contribute mate change, but also empow- Floods wreak havoc as effects of climate change take and children bearing the brunt destruction was witnessed in to climate change are agriculture, er women with skills on how an ugly turn. Climate change has been blamed for of the conflict. Cases of rape Ikwiriri village in Rufiji Dis- fishing especially by using dyna- to respond during conflict and increased conflict between farmers and pastoralists. and defilement are high during trict, Coast Region when two mite, deforestation from various other problems brought by cli- these conflicts. Women are be- communities clashed over graz- activities like burning coal and mate change. 17 Issue Number 34 • February 2013 Najia Zewari: Key to peace lies in women’s hand …By Carolyne Oyugi immediate and extended families co- atives and are frequently overlooked exist in peace,” observes Zewari. She by their own government came out or decades now Afghanistan notes: “Women are resilient and learn strongly and persuaded the men in has widely been known as a from each other. Women do not judge their lives to stop involvement with battle field. It is a country that each other easily especially when con- the Taliban. is always in conflict and dom- fronted with the same problems and “Everyone expected their efforts inatedF by activities of terrorist groups that makes it easy to solve most of their to go to waste but thanks to them such as Haggani Network and Hezbi problems.” most of their men withdrew and as a Islam led by Taliban. At least that is A member and Deputy Secretary result we have a more peaceful coun- the picture painted by the media. High Peace Council of Afghanistan, try,” Zewari observes. The website is awash with stories Zewari believes that peace being en- However, she is saddened by the on how, the decades of war made joyed in her country at the moment ghost of domestic violence that has Afghanistan the world’s most dan- is as a result of women coming up stuck in Afghanistan. gerous country, including being the despite their differences and stating “Like many Muslim dominated largest producer of refugees and asy- clearly that they want nothing less countries, we are haunted by the high lum seekers. than peace. number of domestic violence being The country also experienced meted towards women,” she notes. hundreds of assassinations and sui- Strategy “Kenya has really worked hard on that cide attacks. According to the United “Women held numerous peaceful and I congratulate the people respon- Nations, the insurgents were respon- demonstrations. Since they realised sible. In my country women are beat- sible for 80 per cent of civilian casual- that our country is mostly influenced en in public by their husbands and at ties in 2011 and 2012. by religion we used it for our benefit,” times mistreated by their in-laws.” With all this in my mind, I already she says adding that they would all had already formed an opinion of Af- wear the same colour of head scarves Impact ghanistan when I met Najia Zewari, with different meanings. Violence is not a new phenome- High Peace Council Afghanistan “That attracted people’s attention. non in her country but she is optimis- while attending the High Level Con- Men wondered why one day every tic that things will change because un- ference on Women, Peace and Secu- woman is in a blue scarf and the fol- like before the cases are not confined rity in Nairobi. lowing day every woman is in a green to the houses. Zewari admits that her country has scarf,” she explains. Concerning the recent attacks in Najia Zewari, a member and the deputy secretary of High Peace Council seen the worst of wars and has learnt The 53 year old activist and de- Tana River County and others that in Afghanistan during an interview. Photo: David Mbewa the hard way on the importance of fender of human rights believes that have been experienced in Kenya, peace. the conflict in Afghanistan and many Zewari believes that women always other countries including Kenya is know when their men are planning our children and husbands once they she says. Determination because they are characterised by ego- war or simple attacks. It is then that have been injured. Why can’t we stop She notes that African women are “I have spent all my life in Kabul, istic concerns that carries the feeling she advises women to take action. it as early as we can?” she poses. more exposed to the vices in society Afghanistan and I know how it feels that women should not talk in public “Talk to the men in your homes However, Zewari admits that unlike in her country where they are to be in a country experiencing war,” or in front of important people. quietly and make them understand some women also contribute largely protected by their families. she says. However, the situation has Zewari believes that if women are the implications of their action,” she in prolonging conflicts. For example, Zewari advises people to go back not killed her quest for peace and jus- given enough space to air their views says adding that at the end of the day in some communities it is the women to religion. tice but instead made her more resil- and stand for what they believe in, then it is the women and children who suf- who sing songs of praise and cook a “There is no religion that preaches ient and determined to fight for peace. the planet would be more peaceful. fer the most. lot of food when their men come back conflict. The Bible, Quran and all the She believes that women are key Giving an example of how Pash- “When men are beaten and killed, with stolen cattle after raiding another other good books talk of love and to achieving peace in every society. tun women from traditional families women’s experience is not spared community. peace. If only we could follow the “Women are naturally peace builders. such as Aziz’s who had very little con- because they still experience sexual “Indirectly we are praising theft, teachings then I believe we would have A mother will make sure that both her tact with people other than their rel- violence. We still have to take care of murder and all the evils in the world,” a very peaceful planet,” she concludes. Passion inspires woman to leadership …By Munene Maina non-government organization which is a co- be involved so that they can reject discrimination alition of 260 groups that include 30 groups of based on gender. auline Naneu Kinyarkuoo has defied widows and three of widowers. “But good cultural practices should be main- many odds to retain her passion in Pauline says her own circumstances moved tained at all cost,” she adds. leadership her into action and she was able to mobilize She dropped out of school at class women groups from grassroots to promote so- Constraints threeP shortly after she underwent circumcision cial justice in her Maasai community. She points out that the major problems affect- and was married off to an elderly man. At a ten- The groups are now involved in diverse com- ing women in Narok include low literacy levels, der age of 13years, she had to endure relentless munity development and income generating activ- water and poor economy. “Women should be con- beating from her husband besides being forced to ities, for the welfare of members and their families. fident to seek political seats and should not wait for double up both as a mother and a wife. The hard-working mother of five saw her chil- men to help them,” she urges. Finally, Pauline decided to call it quits and dren through secondary school without her hus- At 51 years, the nominated councilor says her separated from her abusive husband. This how- band’s support and through her leadership scores low education qualifications bar from seeking for ever subjected her to ridicule because separation of women have been able to generate enough political seats. “Despite having leadership experi- Pauline Naneu Kinyarkuoo is the founder was unheard off in the community funds to take their children to school through her ence my education level limits my capacity to go of the Enaitoti Naretu Olmaa Coalition of A leader in her own rights, she resisted so- organization. She has mobilized resources that for higher political seats. I will support candidates Women in Narok which started as a single cietal pressure to return to her estranged hus- have seen many orphans stay in school. who will improve lives of the people,” she says. group and grew into a community based band. “Eventually I became immune to their Pauline who is also ODM nominated coun- Pauline has attended adult education pro- organization with eight member women jeering and insults and decided to forge ahead cilor in Narok county council has been in the grammes besides undergoing community em- groups. Photo: Munene Maina with life,” she says. forefront of fighting retrogressive cultural prac- powerment trainings. tices that look down upon women often deny- In 2010 she was awarded with a honorary doc- Motivation ing them a chance to exploit resources they have torate in theology by International Faith Theologi- supporter of ODM, she is all praises for the party She began to mobilize women under similar helped produce. cal Seminary University College, in recognition of and William Ole Ntimama for elevating women conditions to start income generating activities “My vision is to ensure women are empow- her noble work. Through her NGO over 1,300 or- standards in the community. to support themselves and educate their children. ered to achieve gender equality in the commu- phans are enrolled for support and more than 200 A powerful orator and shrewd women lead- In 1994, Pauline founded Enaitoti Naretu nity. This is why I stepped up with no formal commercial sex workers trained as peer educators er, Pauline enjoys helping the needy, making Olmaa Coalition of Women in Narok. It started education to challenge retrogressive cultures. I to reduce sexually transmitted infections. friends and travelling at leisure time. as a single group and grew into a community hope in 10 years women will be fully respected,” Pauline calls for a leadership that will solve Unlike her, there are very few women lead- based organization made up of eight women she says. She however notes that in fighting ret- people’s problems in Narok County such as the ers in her community to champion the course groups. In 2008 the CBO was registered as a rogressive cultural practices, communities should prolonged human-wildlife conflicts. An ardent of women.

Editorial Director: Arthur Okwemba Managing Editor: Jane Godia Sub-Editors: Duncan Mboyah and Faith Muiruri Contributors: Joyce Chimbi, Carolyne Oyugi, Wanjiku Mwaura, Diana Wanyonyi, The Kenyan Woman is a publication of African Antony Tiapukel, Omondi Gwengi, Elizabeth Awuor, Hussein Dido, Woman and Child Feature Service Odhiambo Orlale, Waikwa Maina, Yusuf Amin, Adams Kiprop, This paper is produced with support from HIVOS Munene Maina, Privatus Karugendo and Said Mmanga E-mail: [email protected] Design & layout: Noel Lumbama (Noel Creative Media Ltd) www.awcfs.org