Kenyan Woman Issue 09

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Issue Number 09 • September 2010

Issue Number 09 • September 2010

EDITORIAL

Promulgation marks beginning of Constitutionalism

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ugust 27, 2010, marked a new beginning for Kenyan people. For women it was particularly a special beginning because the new Constitution had entrenched their needs as a special constituency. It was with sheer pride that when the Constitution was being promulgated, women young and old, rich and poor, celebrity and non-celebrity all graced the occasion to celebrate what women had been denied for the over 40 years that Kenya has been independent. For women, what they will benefit as this new era dawns on Kenya

is invaluable. However, having the gains entrenched in the new laws is one thing, putting them to effect is another. Kenya is a country that has been operating without taking seriously into consideration the matter of constitutionalism. Laws have been flouted with impunity in the name of greed and manhood. This means, therefore, that Kenyans must be educated on what it means to run a country to the letter of the new law. Those charged with the task of appointing people to various offices must seriously rethink how they are going to do their

work. While the Constitution has cut out how appointments are going to be done, there are still many among us who have not understood that a woman can equally hold a top decision making position like a man. That a woman can equally be nominated to a committee or commission on the same basis as a man. That a woman can equally take charge of the Attorney General’s office just like she can hold the office of the Chief Justice. The road to implementing the new Constitution is long and windy with legal jargon that is hardly understood by a majority of Kenyans.

However, women must make sure that they lead by putting their mouths where their legs are. They must commit time and resources to ensure that the female gender is not short changed during this time that opportunities have been opened and everybody wants a piece of the cake. The new Constitution does not guarantee that these gains will come on a silver platter. Those charged with implementing them must be educated on why they must make appointments without fear or favour but with a gender sensitive appointometre that will be able to

detect when a two-thirds majority is exceeded. The women must make sure that they also monitor and evaluate the way the appointments are done. We have seen many a time when rules have been flouted merely because one is still living in the Stone Age that failed to recognize women as a people with wit and intelligence that is at par with men if not ahead. And as we wait with bated breath, all we want to see is women rising at least to a third of any labour force if not half to begin with.

The hard work begins

New law gives women space to their rightful positions …By Jane Godia

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o call it victory would fall short of describing the true feeling that women are having right now. While aware of the fact that the constitution was not perfect, women appreciated the fact that all that they have been fighting for had been entrenched in the document. Right from the start, women said “we will support this document because it speaks for us”. This was evident by the queues that were seen in voting centres where both young and old women turned out in large numbers. However, the celebratory drums are not sounding loud enough because the women have decided to be cautious as they fete the new laws. The women’s movement has agreed that they should not be carried away by the success of the referendum because the real work has yet to begin. And it is only after they are sure that what they are holding is rightfully theirs, will they then rest on their laurels. The work that has to be done in the implementation phase has, therefore, left women more alert. They must make sure that what they are holding in their hands as gains should not become just hot air. Meeting days after a resounding success of the referendum, Kenya women are calling for action as the country moves towards implementing the new law. Speaking to a women’s meeting called to review the referendum and look at the way forward, Ms Anne Njogu, chair person of Centre for Rights and Awareness (CREAW) said: “Celebrations must not exceed a level where you will wake up and find the gains gone. We must position and strategise ourselves.”

Women dancers from Pokot performed before Kenyans and international visitors that included heads of State and Government during promulgation of the new Constitution. Kenyan women turned out in large numbers to vote in support of the new laws. Pictures: KenyanWoman Correspondent.

She added: “Women must move fast forward and engage the fastest gear in engaging ourselves.” Njogu reiterated: “Women must be strategic enough to reap the benefits of the new Constitution. There are certain places that if we do not get right we will never breathe life

into the new Constitution.” She explained: “Women must make sure that there are progressive officers in all positions including the judiciary. We must have right officers in the right places.” Continued on page 6


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