Kenyan Woman 33 by African Woman & Child Feature Service

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Shattered dreams Rule by Supreme Court crushes the five year decade trek to gender equality

EDITORIAL

Court ruling aside, the struggle must continue for women

nough has now been said about the controversial affirmative action clause in the Constitution and the two third gender rule which the Supreme Court has ruled on to the chagrin of women leaders and aspirants. The latter have no option now as time is not on their side to try other options of circumventing the ruling as the clock ticks closer to the 2013 General Elections. Aspirants should not give up, but instead they should fight on by turning the challenge into an opportunity for lobbying aggressively ensure that as many of them and their supporters register and to vote for one of their own to clinch most of the six elective posts. It is only by taking a proactive approach will the women’s dreams of gender parity be realised.

Strategy

The odds have always been against women and time has come for them to stop looking back and digging deeper but instead change strategy. One of the strategies is for women to avoid going for the so-called easy option seat, county women’s representatives. Already there are women who have indicated interest for the so called tough seats. Nairobi’s Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and Uasin Gishu County’s Prof Margaret Kamar and Vesca Kangogo are already on the campaign trail for the Governor’s seat. This they are doing by merit and not through patronage, ethnicity or being a wives, daughters or friends to some important man. Others who have thrown their hats in the ring so far and have to be commended include Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro, who is eying the Nairobi County senator’s position; Joyce Njoki who is eying the Mukuruwe-in in parliamentary seat in Nyeri County. Culture, violence, fear factor and male chauvinism have been the biggest stumbling block to women’s absence in elective leadership positions since Kenya attained independence 49 years ago. That past must remain in the dustbin of history as Kenyans cast their votes and prepare to celebrate its Jubilee in a year’s time.

…By Rosemary Okello

he day when the Supreme Court of Kenya made a ruling on the two-third gender requirement for elective positions in both the National Assembly and the Senate will forever remain etched in the minds of Kenyan women for many years to come. Even though there were telltale signs that the ruling could go either way, what the women did not anticipate was that the Supreme Court would change the constitutional provision which requires that not more two-thirds of either gender should occupy any elective or normative position as anchored in Article 81(b).

Achievers

Verdict

The Supreme Court gave their verdict on the advisory opinion sought by Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai. Their ruling on the progressive realisation of the twothird gender came as a great shock to women and was seen as a ploy to lock women out come 2013 General Election. However, Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga dissented to their view. The majority decision by the Supreme Court justified their decision

Supreme Court Judges led by Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga (centre) delivered the ruling on gender parity. Four of the judges refused to allow affirmative action take effect with the forthcoming General Election. Below: Members of the public who included supporters of gender equality and women’s leadership follow the proceedings at the Supreme Court which ruled against the two-third principle. Picture: Kenyan Woman Correspondent.

by saying that Article 81(b) of the Constitution standing as the general principle cannot replace the specific provisions of Articles 97 and 98, not having ripened into specific enforceable as far as the composition

of the National Assembly and Senate are concerned and therefore it cannot be enforced immediately. There is no doubt that women have been looking for the Government’s intervention in the area of

representation and participation of women in key decision-making. When the Constitution was promulgated in August 2010, majority of women noted that finally Kenya Continued on page 5

Tough women who have braved the lopsided political playing field must be recognised and hailed for setting pace and showing that, “yote yawezekana (all is possible) when women are united, committed and focused. The list of pioneers and luminaries includes Grace Onyango, Phoebe Asiyo, Chelugat Mutai, Dr Julia Ojiambo, Betty Tett, Tabitha Sei, Nyiva Mwendwa, Charity Ngilu, Prof Margaret Kamar, Mwarere wa Mwachai, Agnes Ndetei and Dr Sally Kosgei among many others. Indeed, it is now time for women and the women’s movement to plot and ensure that they flood the political arena with one of their own so that they can attain the two third rule by universal suffrage rather than through the constitutional means. It must not be forgotten that women fought hard for the women’s gains in the Constitution. The present outrage is understandable, but it would be best translated into positive energy to woo men and women to register as voters as well as vote in women candidates.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Dilemma of women and children from Baragoi massacre …By Jonathan Namunai

ollowing the shocking news of the deaths of more than 40 police officers in Suguta Valley in Baragoi, Samburu County no one knew of the gross implications this misfortune would impact on women and children. In what was one of the darkest moments in the history of the Kenyan Police Force since independence, the officers were killed after a fierce exchange of gunfire with heavily armed bandits. The sad news is that all communities residing on the dreaded battlefield zone were largely vulnerable to the outcomes of the conflict but the case of women and children was overlooked.

Reinforcement

The news of the killings spread not only in Kenya but across different parts of the world. The Kenyan government was compelled to quickly dispatch a heavy contingent of security forces drawn from virtually all sections of the police forces with an additional troop from the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF). The arrival of security forces in Baragoi was not received with a sense of relief by a majority of the people there. This led thousands of women and children to flee from the area thronging Maralal town, Samburu County headquarters for fear of reprisal, harassment and atrocities that could be committed against them by the government forces. Rebecca Namwai is an internally displaced mother of three in Maralal. A month ago she fled Nachola village home in Baragoi and settled in the sprawling Loikas slums where she is sharing a single mud walled dilapidated room with her 80-year-old grandmother Teresa Ngokor, her two children and her late sister’s four children. This brings the total number of people sharing the one roomed house to eight. Apart from lacking adequate shelter Namwai must also struggle hard to fend for everybody without a specified source of income.

Pain

Her situation is aggravated by the absence of her four-year-old son whom she left under the care of her husband in Nachola as she was unable to cater for the needs of all the children upon fleeing to Maralal. “I fear for the life, security and wellbeing of my child. I do not know what his situation is like right now,” says Namwai with tears welling in her eyes. From the look on her face, Namwai is sad

Forgotten: The plight of women and children in Baragoi has been forgotten as residents flee the area following the deployment of the military personnel after a botched raid that left 42 police officers dead. about the kind of life she is going through and hopes to go back home one day.

Survival

Jennifer Mugambi is a displaced mother of four and shares a similar predicament with Namwai. Since fleeing to Maralal, Mugambi has been eking out her living doing all sorts of menial jobs in the neighbourhood where she has been accommodated with a relative. Mugambi does not know the whereabouts of her husband since the time of departure with her children from Baragoi. “I do not even know whether my husband is alive or was killed during the tribal clashes that escalated in the area. I would rather stay hungry here than go back to Baragoi and get killed,” says Mugambi.

Many of the displaced women interviewed mostly come from families impoverished by decade long tribal conflicts perpetuated by intercommunal livestock raids in the volatile Samburu North region.

Helpless

Some say they are not sure of going back to Baragoi since the livestock which forms the core part of their livelihood were driven away by raiders. The presence of Government security forces was perhaps the final red flag that forced them out of their original settlements to start new lives elsewhere. The Kenya Red Cross had put the number of people displaced from Baragoi to Maralal at 5,400. According to Gitonga Mugambi, coor-

dinator Kenya Red Cross Samburu branch the displaced families are living in integrated settings where they have been accommodated by relatives and friends. So far there has not been a set out government plan to formally settle the displaced persons who are mainly spread in Maralal and the neighbouring areas such as Loikas, Milimani, Ngari and Lporos.

Fate

Their fate is still unknown as many are stuck between a rock and a hard place without a proper place to call home. Speaking to Kenya Woman, they appealed to the Government and all well wishers to come to their help as they are in dire need of adequate food, shelter and health care.

Women should be central in Shaping Peace Agenda in Kenya

…By Rosemary Okello

he death of the 42 police officers in Baragoi has shocked everyone. What is more saddening is that these were young Kenyans who were at their prime age and had a lot to offer this country. The pain of losing their loved one has been so deep for many women to bear. For Kenya the loss of human resource is something that might affect the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of this country because the government had invested on them in terms of training. But as the saying goes; in very dark cloud there is a silver lining. As a nation this can be an opportunity for women within the pastoral communities and other parts of the country to take centre stage in shaping peace within their communities and in Kenya. They can do this through inter-community dialogue, helping their sons to stop this oldage tradition of cattle rustling which is killing them every year and looking for alternative ways in which men can pay dowry without feeling as lesser being.

Agenda

Throughout the region, women have taken lead in shaping the peace agenda in their country. For example in Rwanda, when war broke and majority of men were killed,

women from different ethnic groups came together and started peace initiatives by helping each other in building houses. The lessons of Rwanda genocide in 1994 led to a major shift of leadership policy. For the first time in history, Rwanda leads the world with an average 56 percent women representation in parliament. In the neighbourhood, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur in Sudan and the Northern Uganda; rape has become an instrument of warfare. This is especially meted out to women-including baby girls. But this is not the traditional behavior that relatively peaceful societies are familiar with and women again are slowly taking the lead in peace processes.

Initiative

In West Africa under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a group of women under the Mano River Peace Network decided to come together to participate in the process of preventing and managing conflicts and restoring peace in their countries. This they did after realising that they were the principal victims of conflicts along with their children, therefore they decided that time had come for them to have a say in the decisions made regarding these con-

flicts. In Kenya it is increasingly worrying in a manner in which violence is being carried out which characterised, speed and collective brutality. However, underneath these the methods of unleashing terror are important indicators of risk in our society. The idea to inflict pain has no boundary of office or community. As a country we have many leaders with wisdom from family units, religious groups, civil society, movement, trade unions, business community and media that can help the country have a lasting and sustainable peace.

Reforms

The agenda for reforms for a peaceful and prosperous nation can be shaped by women. Imagine the Turkana women and Maasai women coming together to strengthen peace among their communities. And since women are tribeless, the only language they know is the pain of giving birth to a child and losing one in violent circumstances. But this can only be possible if Kenya could make a move from policy to practice on issue of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that addresses the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women and recognises the under-valued and under-utilised contributions women

make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building. Even as the country is discussing from a security angle the problem of Baragoi, the country stands a higher chance for reconciliation by giving women enough room in peace work among other people. Generally, women are very dependable in peace work, resolute, strong willed, loving and have an impressive forgiving nature which are useful ingredients for peace. Today women stories in conflict read like tragic statistics; raped, maimed, enslaved, killed, and maligned. The psychological effects like trauma, chronic stress, depression and clear psychotic products of warfare are many.

Crusaders

Kenya should now start to enlist women as part of its strong battalion of peace builders. The debate of why this should be so should be framed in the fact that, they can, especially shape us, beyond the bull-fighting tendencies. Together these women have a natural diplomatic mission to shape Kenya peace agenda. They can explore how to reach one another and together help Kenya consolidate reconciliation efforts, especially reaching the communities at the grassroots level.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Zipporah Kittony With a doctorate award, she is set to top it all with political position

…By Abisai Amugune

few months ago, Zipporah Kittony was returning to her rural Maili Nane home in Cherangany constituency, Trans-Nzoia County. This has been her home for more than three decades where she is seen as a different person. This is not the Kittony whom most Kenyans fondly referred to as the Iron Lady and Chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) during the of Kanu regime that was headed by retired president Daniel Moi. This is still not the same Kittony who once served as a Nominated Member of Parliament or the same woman whom most residents had known as a farmer on her Sirwo Farm. Nor is she the leader who had championed for the rights of women and a girl-child. The Kittony we recently saw had come back with a doctorate awarded to her by a university in the United States in recognition of her role in the community in the fight against social injustices and promotion of development and peace initiatives.

Celebrations

Turning only 68 this year, the mother of four and one grandchild and standing tall with the stamina to take on any challenges, the ever-smiling Kittony came back home to stalk the Doctorate of Philosophy she had worked for starting way back in 1970s. The home-coming fete had earlier been preceded by yet another ceremony that had been hoisted by one of Kittony’s sons, media mogul Kiprono Kittony at his house situated on the same compound. Kiprono brought together high-profile local and international personalities to celebrate his mother’s achievement. In attendance included the Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia, Rwanda Ambassador to Kenya Bill Kayanga and former Nairobi mayors Nathan Kahara and Joe Akech. A day to Kiprono’s bash, Kenya’s former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta had also visited the home. To the visiting dignitaries Kittony had this to say to them: “I stand here on this great day to thank the almighty God for the life He has given me until this hour where I am able to share the blessings He has poured unto to me.” She added: “He has guided me this far and I owe all my thanks and allegiance unto Him and finally I praise Him for the success and well-being of my family.”

Awards

According to Martin Wilson of the United Graduate College University who countersigned Kittony’s doctorate in July 2010, the former MYWO boss had been honoured for excellence in fields such as governance, Christianity and education. The doctorate read in part: “The philosophy in humanities has all the rights, privileges and honours pertaining hereto considered in its issuance.” By being offered the honorary doctorate, Kittony was adding to her other accolades which include Kenya’s Order of the Grand Warriors (OGW) and the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) which were conferred on her by Moi.

Political ambition

In 1999, she was nominated the 28th woman of the year by the American Biographical Institute because of her involvement in women activities through the umbrella of MYWO which she coordinated for 11 years. At home to receive the doctorate award were elders, women, politicians, youth, clergy and scholars drawn from different parts of the coun-

try. After the usual traditional recognition and prayers, speaker after speaker asked Kittony to go for more leadership positions in the new system of the devolved government. And in an acceptance speech, Kittony broke the monotony by declaring she will contest for women’s representative slot in to represent the Trans-Nzoia County. “I have the qualities to become your woman representative and if that is the dream you have seen in me then I rely on you to make it a reality,” she said. As a former nominated legislator, she was more tied to her party manifesto and policies but as an elected women representative for the Trans-Nzoia County she will have a free hand and a wider perspective to propagate their interests. She does not regret being a life member of former ruling party.

Leadership

However, she noted that women were not only tied to the special seats for women in Parliament but were free to contest the 290 constituencies and 47 county seats that include Senate and Governorship. Pastors Patrick Kisachi of Kitale Emmanuel Evangelism centre and Luke Rugut of Chebisas AIC in Eldoret attributed Kittony’s success to her faith in Christianity. Currently, she is constructing a church next to her home. Said Pastor Kisachi: “You don’t expect to excel in life when you engage yourself in excessive drinking. This does not free you to set aside time to praise God. A good leader is a Godfearing servant”. Pastor Rugut observed that women who fear God always don’t go wrong. According to Dr Vincent Sudoi, a senior lecturer at Moi University, awarding Kittony with the doctorate was direct reciprocation of her support for poor students to pursue secondary and university education. He said there were still many students at the university who require financial support and asked Kittony not to relent on such deserving cases.

Endorsement

Uasin Gishu MYWO chairlady Ann Kibet noted that Kittony had been an encouragement to women leaders in Rift-Valley Province. She threatened to deny Trans-Nzoia a woman representative and shift her to Uasin Gishu if residents in the former county will not back her for the seat. Kibet mentioned among others the Eldoret South MP Prof Margaret Kamar, Jackline Chelegat of Kenya Commercial Bank in Nairobi and Mombasa-based lawyer Lillian Nyaboke as beneficiaries of Kittony’s stewardship, guidance teaching and counselling. “She has changed the lives of many by offering them jobs. For my case, she has encouraged me to further my education despite my age. As women we have done wrong by not electing the right leaders,” Kibet observed. Rift Valley Provincial MYWO chairlady Eileen Kendagor noted that Kittony’s doctorate was not only a personal achievement but an honour to Kenyan women and the county at large. While acknowledging that Kittony had made in roads to uniting women worldwide in the fight for a common goal of fair representa-

Former MYWO Chairperson in jovial mood during the ceremony at her Trans Nzoia home tion in socio-economic and political spheres, Kendagor said the Kenyan women were assured of sustainability if they followed her footsteps. Kendagor said Kittony had led Kenyan women is realising the affirmative action through interactions in both local and international women conferences. “She is one person who does not fear reprisals and repercussions when she knows what she is doing is the right thing at the right time and the right place,” observed Kendagor. As all this was going on, questions were however abounding: what would steer Kittony win the women representative’s position? What would be her chances and what are the challenges? How does she plan to overcome them? “You have tried building bridges, schools, churches and roads. You have rescued the needy including orphans and widows. You have also paid for their school and upkeep, apart from preaching for peace among residents,” said Charles Kogo, a youth leader.

She was also told to start tours across the country and associating herself with the prospective wining sides. “You should also go for men’s votes. Some women voters are known to be against their fellow women ascending to power. So, my expectation is that you will include men in your campaigns,” said Julius Wafula, a celebrant. Kittony will be facing rivals such as retired teachers Justine Sitti, Elizabeth Nyongesa and Ednah Sang and Councillor Janet Nangabo among others. “I did not know that you still recognise me as your leader. Everyone here is my person. I have no discrimination and I hope as we approach the General Election, we shall fight as one united house,” Kittony said. As Kittony prepares to make a comeback to the National Assembly, she will be remembered as the first woman to be elected as the branch chairperson of Kitale’s Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show in 1981, a position she held for six years.

According to Wilbroda Khaoya, a farmer from Saboti the position of chiefs in TransNzoia had for a long time been regarded as a preserve for men, but many women had joined the career on Kittony’s advice. One such chief is Juliet Mukwana of Matisi Location in Saboti Constituency. “Most of the homes which had broken down had their marriages re-uniting after attending to such social conferences organised by you,” Khaoya, widow of ex-assistant minister Joseph Khaoya said. The homecoming party did not end without warnings. Kittony was advised against wrong choice of political party and poor working team.

As the MYWO chief, she brought the realisation of women’s empowerment and fought against social vices such as denial of education to the girl-child, female genital mutilation as well as job and leadership discrimination. To date, Kittony is the Ambassador for the Kenya Society for the Mentally-Handicapped. She believes that as a board member to various learning institutions in Trans-Nzoia and outside the county, she has been privileged to “return” her knowledge to the schools. When she is not attached to her philanthropic work, Kittony loves playing golf, reading, farming and travelling. She was once the chairlady of Kitale Golf Member’s Club where she built a working relationship with both local and international players. Recently, she went to the United States capped afresh with the doctorate to meet friends ahead of the 2013 polls. “Nothing is stopping me from acquiring the seat. I welcome all my competitors on a fair playing ground as this is what true leadership is all about,” she said.

Unity

“You have tried building bridges, schools, churches and roads. You have rescued the needy including orphans and widows. You have also paid for their school and upkeep, apart from preaching for peace among residents” — Charles Kogo, a youth leader.

Empowerment

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Aspirants speak out against violence during campaigns …By Odhiambo Orlale

omen aspirants in the country will have to contend with all manner of hurdles before they can ascend to leadership positions. Eldoret based human resources consultant who is vying for the Uasin Gishu County Governor’s seat says most female aspirant drop their political ambition midway as the murky political field turns chaotic. But for Vesca Kangogo, she will not relent in her quest for leadership and is promising fireworks as she faces her rivals head on. Indeed, since she declared her interest and resigned from her public service job two months ago, Vesca, has faced all sorts of direct and indirect violence. The consultant says her male counterparts have used all means including the media to fight her directly and indirectly. Says Vesca: “This issue of implied violence is being used effectively against women aspirants. Don’t be ignorant of what is going on in the media and must be informed to know what your rivals are saying about you both in public and in private.”

Detractors

She urges fellow women to ignore their political detractors and instead become fervent in selling their agenda to the electorate as this will win voters’ on their side during party nominations and General Elections. Vesca recalls a recent incident when her rivals accused her in the dailies of being a stooge planted to frustrate the presidential bid of a leading politician in the region owing to her stand on the eligibility of International Criminal Court (ICC) suspects to seek elective posts. “I was informed by a friend to read one of the Sunday papers which had run a story about ICC issues and alluded to a “Governor aspirant in the Rift Valley.”

She is one of the eight aspirants so far vying for the position of Governor in the breadbasket of the country and a political hotbed that was hardest hit during the 2007/2008 post election violence. The County has a population of 1.5 million people. The other woman in the race is former Moi Girls High School principal, Magdaline Sang.

Stereotypes

Addressing a women leaders forum in Eldoret town recently, organized by AWC Feature Service, Vesca asked “How can we deal with stereotyping? My rivals are also accusing me of entertaining male supporters and majority say: “You have too much money and you are buying men beer.” They are attacking the weakest part of a woman. My husband is made to feel helpless as my political detractors paint a grim picture on my political ambition and integrity. “ At the end of an NTV live talk show, last month, her critics gave the impression that “she was about to disappear.” The next morning her home was a beehive of activities after her supporters thronged there expressing their concern and wanting to know whether she was safe. They then urged her to soldier on saying they were fully behind her. At a wedding of her a friend’s daughter recently, a guest asked her sarcastically: “I came to see the woman who is dominating her husband and how she looks!” Vesca believes that negative newspaper reports are already being used to divert and drain the women’s energy instead of using it to campaign effectively against their male rivals. She summed up her experiences so far in politics quoting a Kalenjin saying: “The highest mango tree has the most number of stones under it.” Vesca’s gives a tip to fellow women aspirants urging them to ignore the emotional aspects of politics and the campaigns. She says all married women as-

pirants must win the support of their spouses to avoid sending wrong signals to the electorate. Similar frustrations have been raised by a cross section of women in Uasin Gishu County. Rose Cheshire, an aspirant for ward representative, says most women are faced with many challenges forcing them to shy away from politics. She says that some spouses have refused to support their wives political ambitions and say: “If you want to vie for a political seat you can do so outside this house!” Another major challenge is culture which has been used to belittle women’s roles and leadership qualities. That is followed by physical, psychological and sexual harassment by male rivals. As an aspirant for the Kapsuswa civic seat in the last polls, Pamela Rahunga, who is now vying for the ward representative seat says she stood because she was a leader in both her church and in other groups.

Hostility

When she joined politics, it was because she wanted to be a treasurer, but her husband was very harsh and did not want her to be involved. Come the Election Day, she was shocked when all their ward votes were cancelled after the polls. “On the voting day, I was forced to vote for the other party. We were ordered to vote in one way. I was roughed up together with some of my supporters. I realized that women were there to be used,” she recalls with bitterness. Rahunga says she went through many challenges, and reported to the District Criminal Investigations Officer several verbal and non verbal threats by her rivals and their supporters. She was also forced to change her phone numbers severally in order to survive the political heat. She went to Nairobi and returned home with her campaign posters. She was forced to change her campaign routes and

Ms. Vesca Kangogo tells women to ignore their detractors and instead sell their agenda. Picture: George Ngesa strategies every other day. Says Rahugu: “On the eve of the polls, a woman offered me Ksh 1 million bribe to step down in favour of their candidate. I turned her down and went through hell,” she explains.

Resources

The ward rep aspirant says that lack of funds and resources is another major challenge for women candidates in the forthcoming party nominations and General elections. “Everyone is asking for funds. They are all expecting you to give them handouts. If we as women cannot succeed through the nominations stage we will not meet the one third gender rule. Where will women get the Ksh200, 000 nomination fee required by political parties? ,” Rahugu wonders out aloud. According to Anna Bunut, the political arena is not for the faint hearted saying she has faced the wrath of her male rivals during campaigns as a woman leader for a long

time. In 1999, she vied for a chief ’s post against nine men in Kapsoret ward and won. But when the wazees (elders) heard that “a woman was going to be given the post they tried to frustrate the move. In 2007 polls, Bunut contested for a civic seat and faced even more challenges. “If you are competing with a sitting councilor, you will realize that he has roots and he able to buy alcohol to fellow men and the youth. “ The male rivals had accused her of loitering with intent. “The same propaganda was used effectively during campaigns to lock fellow women out of politics. I was born and raised in the community, but that did not count nor did my service at Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) for decades. Some women do not understand why you must be traversing different areas on official duties. They misunderstand me and promote propaganda just like our male rivals.”

It’s never too late for women in Narok

…By Munene Maina or years women in Narok have been without proper education and with no say in making decisions at home. Theirs have been to obey men without any query and for this many women live in pathetic conditions. At teen age girls end up in early and forced marriages shattering their dreams of getting education, thanks to wealth greedy fathers. Despite their hard work women in the County are often sidelined in the management and use of resources they helped raise. Since most have no education a man would sell family’s property after having the wife place her finger print in sealing the deal only to squander the money without a penny helping his family.

Enrolment

But this is blinking to an end. Women are now making a sacrifice but for a worthy cause. Regardless of the daily chores and age, many women are now enrolling in adult learning as a second chance to acquire education. Over 2,000 women in Narok are attending adult learning programme

despite the myriad of challenges. They are almost doubling men who feel embarrassed in joining the programme. For Margret Ntutu who is sitting for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination this year, it is all joy to fulfill her longstanding dream. She is grateful she had a second chance to go back to school and hopes she will achieve her dream of getting a degree in early childhood education in the near future. “It has not been easy attending classes due to my daily busy schedules and family demands. I am glad that I have made it and now I will sit for my KCSE. I am expecting to get a grade C+ and above,” says Ntutu an ECD teacher working with Narok County Council. “The life of a student ends at class, once home you are a wife and you hardly get the chance to revise or do an assignment,” she adds.

Passion

Having completed her primary school education at the age of 15, Ntutu was soon married off to an old man. But this never fizzled out

her desire of one day furthering her studies. “In those days culture was stronger and rarely could a girl disobey her father’s decision. Rescue centres were also few and I had no option,” recalls Ntutu. The mother of five children will be sitting for KCSE together with her second born child. She says her choice to go back to school was taunted by many but she remained determined. Even her children and husband could not fathom her decision. She has been travelling about 34 kilometers from Ololulunga to Narok Center for Adult and Continuing Education in Narok town, the only Adult Secondary school in the County.

Prospects

Like many other women Ntutu believes that education will open up new opportunities for her. Many of them are saving money to pay for school fees and buy learning materials. Most women are married to men with no educations who are opposed to them joining adult learning centres as they see it waste of time and a

way of women trying to avoid work. Sometimes this has created family discords. It is even worse when a husband and his wife attend same class and the wife scores high marks than the husband. Some members of the community also see female adult learners as promiscuous but this has not deterred them from going back to class. “You have to remain firm and determined because you are the only one who knows your aspirations. There are so many people out to jeer you although they are illiterate,” says Florence Partungas, adult learner.

Challenges

Partungas who has three children says though she passed well and was to join Naivasha Girls secondary school her parent could not afford the fees. “I was then married off against my wish. I promised myself I will one day continue with education. It is never too late,” she adds. Narok is among the Counties with high number of school drop

outs and if adult education gets more support many women can benefit. Adult education is not factored in free education programme and learners are required to pay fees and buy learning material that makes it hard for many to afford. For Winnie Ntutu a house wife and mother of two who dropped out of school due to early pregnancy, adult learning programme will enable her achieve her aspiration of becoming a leader.

Constitution

“The new constitution has given women a lot of opportunities and rights and without education it is hard to realise them,” she says. She encourages women to get education to become enlightened despite the challenges that they may encounter. “The government should also campaign for adult education to help eradicate illiteracy,” she adds. Although discriminating culture to women is declining in some parts of the County such as Loita and Mosiro girls are still dropping out in large number.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

‘Skirt and blouse’ lesson for Kenyan voters

…By Odhiambo Orlale

hanaians have a wicked sense of humour when it comes to politics which Kenyans can borrow from. The West African country is set to elect its President and 280 Members of Parliament on December 8. The interesting bit is that the candidates have coined “skirt and blouse” campaign slogan that denotes that voters can pick the best from an array of candidates with the best professional and leadership qualities to lead them. But in Kenya, some presidential candidates have begun harping on the tribal card by promoting a “six-piece-suit” voting style to ensure their rivals are locked out of State House, Senate, Governors’ office, Parliament and local authorities during the March 4, 2013 General elections. Indeed, Kenyans have a golden opportunity to learn the best practices in campaigning, conducting elections and voting in General Election, as witnessed in the recent polls in the United States and Sierra Leone. With the 2007/8 post elections violence fresh in their minds, they can also learn to borrow from their Ghanaian brothers and sisters how to mix and match their laundry list of candidates from over 50 registered political parties wooing them to elect them during the next polls.

Opportunity

They will be casting their votes for six candidates of their choice in the first General Elections after the promulgation of the new Constitution, in August 2010. Already the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has launched the long awaited voter registration exercise using biometric voting registers, in readiness for the polls. There will be 47 Senator, Governor and women’s representative’s posts each up for grabs and 280 parliamentary seats to be filled. In Ghana, the incumbent, President John Mahama, is seeking re-election in his National Democratic Congress against seven rivals in the opposition led New Patriotic Party whose leaders are calling their supporters to

embrace the “skirt and blouse” voting pattern. That peculiar sense of humour is a form of protest-voting to show dislike for parliamentary candidates that have either performed dismally during their terms or those that the party hierarchy have imposed on them. There have always been threats of “blouse and skirt” voting by Ghanaians in the past according to analysts, but it had not manifested in creating a hung Parliament where a President would not have the majority.

Trend

In the controversial 2007 polls, President Kibaki’s PNU was outnumbered in Parliament by Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM forcing the two leaders to form a coalition Government brokered after the post elections violence. In Kenya, voters have in the past elections been rallied behind the “threepiece-suit” voting style introduced by the opposition leaders in 1990 after the repeal of section 2A of the Constitution to re-introduce a multi-party political A woman casting her vote during the presidential elections in Ghana. Instead system in the country under President of voting for one single party, Ghanaians opted to vote for different candidates Daniel arap Moi. The idea was to block Kanu from depending on what they viewed as their strength. Picture: From the Internet being re-elected by wooing voters to elect a President, MP and councilor from the same opposition party. But cade ago. Arrangements for a presidential run The eight presidential candidates have runthat strategy failed miserably because the off on December 28 have been put in place in ning mates, three of whom are women of subopposition leaders were too divided to make line with their Constitution. stance one of who is a Chief Executive Officer, any serious impact on the results. And to avoid electoral fraud as happened the other is a social activist and the last one is The euphoria was so strong that in some in Kenya in 2007, the IEBC, just like the Elec- bilingual translator. In Kenya, the presidential areas even dead candidates were elected post- toral Commission of Ghana, is preparing to aspirants are yet to name their running mates as humously while in others touts, hawkers, semi- establish the biometric system of registration they are busy forming pre elections coalitions. illiterate people and others with questionable for the electoral register to prevent double regIn contrast, Kenya has over 15 presidential backgrounds were elected to be legislators and istration and to eliminate ‘ghost’ names better aspirants who include three women. civic leaders in regions where a particular party known as dead voters in the old register. They are Water Development Minister, was popular. Ghanaian elections have been peaceful Charity Ngilu who doubles up as Narc chairsince 1992 when the military handed over pow- person; former Constitutional Affairs minister, Martha Karua, who is the chairperson of Narc er to a civilian Government. Ghanaians, who will also use BVRs, go to The Ghanaian voters are being asked to Kenya; and Kingwa Kamencu, who is also one the polls on December 7 to elect a President vote wisely and not driven by a euphoric wave. of the youngest politicians to eye the coveted and 230 MPs in the West African nation that This will help them get the best from the differ- seat occupied by President Kibaki who retires was the first in Africa to gain independence ent political parties to represent their interest next year after serving the maximum two-five from colonial powers in Africa over half a de- in Government and in the August House. year terms as per the Constitution.

Measures

Supreme court shatters dream to gender equality Continued from page 1

was on the world map in terms of proactively aiding increased women’s representation through the Constitution. With the new laws the women were hopeful that there was no better time to fix this anomaly on representation in the National Assembly which has existed for almost 50 years. They based their hopes on the forth-coming General Election. It must be remembered that for first time in the history of this country, the 2013 General Election represented hope to the majority of ordinary women in that they saw the National Assembly and the Government developing a framework that would guide the country on how to deal with issues affecting gender discrimination in the political sphere. The women were confident that for once in the history of this nation, Kenya would join other countries that have enshrined the quota system in their Constitution and have gone ahead to achieve affirmative action instead of lagging behind on the gender equation. Recently a study by World Economic Forum ranked Kenya 72nd on gender issues coming behind Tanzania (46), Uganda (28) and Burundi (24). Yet, it cannot be ignored that Kenya has the most progressive constitution in the region. A disappointed Wambui Kanyi, Executive Director Women Political

Alliance-Kenya said: “Kenyans are doomed if the highest judicial organ in this country cannot act objectively and independently.” Her sentiments were echoed by Daisy Amdanyi, chair Women Political Alliance-Kenya who reminded women the words of Prof Wanjiku Kabira “......Let us collect the fruits that are ripe and prepare the fields for another season of harvest. It will come but not without a struggle. We must start the journey again towards our destination again. We must not accept defeat; it is just a struggle......" Amdanyi noted that women must strengthen their feeble knees and lift up their hands that hang low for there is indeed work at hand. “If we accept defeat now, we will have let ourselves down but even worse, the enemies of women’s advancement will have won without a fight,” observed Amdanyi. She encouraged that women must remain focused and maximise on the existing opportunities which are many, with the primaries round the corner and the forthcoming General Election due in less than three months. “Our glass is not half empty, it is half full and we must march on to victory and safeguard the ground we have won,” she said. According to Grace MaingiKimani, Executive Director FIDAKenya the ruling was “extremely disappointing”.

Even though women were aware that the implementation stage was not going to be easy, they were not prepared for another three years of pushing and trying to make a case of gender something which the Government should do automatically because women are equal citizens of this nation which has been reiterated by Article 27 which speaks of gender equality. “This does not reflect the spirit and values of the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” many people reacted. Currently men hold over 95 per cent of all senior government positions and yet the women have been advocating for positive change in this gross gender inequality situation for decades, a fact that is on record in the country’s constitutional development history. Article 10(2) (b) of the Constitution stipulates: “The national values and principles of governance include: human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination, and protection of the marginalised”. This is further reinforced by Clause 27(3) which stipulates: “Women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.” As the country stands at a crossroads on the matter, Kenyans should be reminded that the whole notion for advocating for a new constitution

within the reform agenda was because majority of people were being excluded from governance structures and these are women, youth, the disabled and minorities. It is sad to note that elsewhere many countries around us are using gender equality as one of their development indicators and also a major milestone. For the past 49 years since Kenya attained independence, the issue of Affirmative Action in political participation has remained a thorny one. Next year the country will be celebrating its Jubilee, and one wonders what issues will be feted when it comes to women’s representation Article 81(b) does not become a reality. It is interesting to note that as Uganda was celebrating its 50th years of independence recently, one area they were praised for was the achievement of gender equality. In Rwanda, the women have walked the talk of leadership because of there has been political goodwill which has seen them achieve over 50 per cent of women’s representation. Today, Rwanda’s Parliament has the highest percentage of women globally. In Kenya, when Kibaki spoke at the 60th anniversary of Maendeleo ya Wanawake, he stressed that women must go for elective positions and not sit waiting to be given things for free. As the women cheered the president, their excitement drowned the import

of his speech which clearly lacked goodwill towards women’s empowerment and advancement. Kibaki in his speech repeated three times that women must seek elective positions and stressing of this was a clear way of how the Supreme Court ruling could have been guided by lack of support from the country’s political leadership. Even then the country will have failed to meet the Millennium Development Goal number three which seeks to promote gender equality and empower women by 2015. The MDG three seeks to eliminate gender disparity…. According to The Millennium Development Goals Report 2012 women continue to gain representation in parliaments, but the pace is slow. The report notes that Gender inequality persists and women continue to face discrimination in access to education, work and economic assets, and participation in government. Violence against women continues to undermine efforts to reach all goals. The report while appreciating the number of women in political representation has gone up, it notes women are elected in greater numbers in systems of proportional representation than they are in majority electoral systems. The use of special measures or quotas is also an important factor and this is what Kenya has failed to fulfil.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Otara seeks to realise her cherished dream

…By Ben Oroko

s the clock ticks towards the forthcoming General Elections, women from the Gusii community who have been victims of patriarchy and cultural practices which do not recognize women’s leadership potentials, have now declared their interests. The good news is that despite the cultural barrier, a good number have expressed their interests to contest various county leadership positions in the Kisii County. Not left behind, is Mrs Mary Sally Otara, a social worker with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK). Motivated by her experience in social work and community development Otara has declared her interest to contest the Kisii County Women Representative’s seat in the forthcoming transitional General Elections, as part of her long-held dream of fighting for the rights of women and children in the society. Born in 1964 at Bomorasi Village, Boitang’are clan of Bobasi constituency in the Kisii County, as a first born child in a family of six, Otara feels leadership is a calling and service to the society.

Education

She attended St. Joseph’s Primary School in Eldoret, before moving to Suneka Primary School from where she sat for her standard seven Certificate of Primary Education(CPE) in 1979. Otara joined Kioge Girls Secondary School in the Kisii County (1981-83), before she enrolled for social work and community development course at Ogango Lutheran College in 1994, from where she completed in 1996. In 1996, she joined Itierio Lutheran Church as a social worker, during which she was identified to spearhead the Lutheran Church’s child care project. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) sponsored her to train on women leadership and education in 2003 for one year at Limuru. After completing the training in 2003, the ELCK appointed her a women co-ordinator nationally, from where the Lutheran Federal of which ELCK is a member, identified her and was elected women co-ordinator to the Lutheran Communion of East Africa (LUCEA), a position she holds to date, since 2004. Otara has been an active women leader through Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO),of which she is the Kisii South District

Chairperson since 2007. Having a desire for more knowledge in social work and community Development, Mrs Otara enrolled for a Diploma in social work and Community Development (2009-2010) at Rehema Lutheran College, an affiliate of Day Star University. Currently, she is leading the Lutheran Church’s Women in Church and Society (WICAS) Desk, a position she hopes to use in her efforts to reach out to women voters in the County as she embarks on her campaign to be elected the first Women’s Representative in Kisii County,in the next General Election. Otara, challenges women from the Gusii community, especially those from the Kisii County to come out in large numbers and contest for various county and other leadership positions provided for in the new constitution.

Network

Otara is quick to point out that, she decided to run for the Women Representative’s seat and not any other seat provided for in the new constitutional dispensation, since she believes the position will give her an edge over her fellow women competitors as she had established a rich working network with women for who are majority voters and hopes to tap their potential through seat. “A question I encounter from many voters I have interacted with, is why I settled on the Women Representative’s seat, yet there are other positions, like Governor, senator,Ward Representative and MP. My answer is that, politics is all about where one’s chances and stakes are high and my chances and stakes are high in the Women Representative’s seat. I have done much of my social work career with women and I believe in their support to facilitate me win the seat and continue serving them better,” states Otara Given her wide range of experience and interactions with various women leaders across the world, Otara says, given opportunity to represent women in parliament,she will initiate women leadership mentorship programmes to motivate women from the Gusii community participate in active politics and take up leadership responsibilities,to reverse a longtime mindset that has dogged local community members for decades that political leadership is for men for the taking. Though the constitution has not defined the role of a Woman Representatives he says, she will employ her leadership skills in packaging and selling vision and political ideologies to the electorate, based on the issues affecting the region. Aware of increasing opposition and crowded

field of women declaring interest in the seat, Otara says politics is all about one’s policies and ideologies, encouraging everybody to come out and sell their policies to the electorate,to facilitate them choose the best candidate to represent them. “Though the constitution has not defined the role of a Woman Representative, but I am convinced that leadership is all about how one packages his or her message to convince those to entrust her or him with leadership mandate. I believe in a democratic competition and encourage more women to declare their candidature for the seat, since I do not fear completion as it will finally gives the best leader to represent us through a democratic process,” states Otara. Decrying the culture of political parties imposing candidates on the electorate, Otara who is associated with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) calls on political parties to open space for a free and fair democratic competition,to allow the electorate choose Otara aspires to help start women mentorship their preferred candidates without any external programmes to motivate women in the male influence or coercion. dominated County of Kisii.

Environment

“I am aware of the challenges women face in political parties’ nominations, but I am challenging top party leadership to ensure women are given a fair and free space to contest against men,to allow the electorate make informed choices without external influence or coercion, to enhance internal democracy in political parties, “observes Otara. Admitting that, the task a head will be a long call for her and other women seeking political leadership from the Gusii community, considering the community’s dominant patriarchy culture, Otara says,as a social worker she will use all her skills in the book to reach out to men and convince them on the importance of voting for her as Women Representative as the position will not interfere with men’s interests in local political leadership structure. “As the position suggests, I will convince men to vote for me, since their wives and daughters’ welfare will be catered for under my leadership which will largely address women issues. From this perspective I believe no man will not vote for me, since the seat is purely for women and I will have not interfered with men’s political interests in local politics, “explains Otara. She challenges the community members to shun the age-old mindset against women leader-

ship and instead provide equal political playing ground to all aspirants, both men and women to access the electorate and sell them their policies during the campaigns.

Optimism

In an exclusive interview with the Kenyan Woman, Otara expresses confidence in local women’s leadership potential, saying, if given chance they will offer alternative political and socio-economic leadership in the County. Otara who got married to Andrew Otara in 1984,with whom they have been blessed with five children, two boys and three girls, aged between 13 and 28, says leadership is a calling and service to mankind. She calls for peaceful election campaigns and warns young people against being misused to cause chaos during campaigns, instead be tolerant to divergent political opinion and decide through the ballot box their preferred choices for various leadership positions. Otara challenges the Government to assure all political leadership aspirants; especially women across the country of their security during campaigns, to enable them sell their policies to the electorate without interference from their competitors.

Chepkorir nurtured her leadership skills at a young age

…By Duncan Mboyah

or Vicky Betty Chepkorir, her journey to leadership started when she was first appointed a class monitor in class one and then all the way to class eight. This marked the beginning of a trend that followed her all the way to secondary school where she was appointed a deputy dormitory captain in form one. Later on at the University she was too elected into position of leadership. Today, courtesy of her leadership qualities, Chepkorir at 24 years, is the Secretary General of Party of Action (POA), a political party that has launched its political bid to produce Kenya’s fourth President during the coming General Elections in March next year. It all started at the Kenya University Students Organisation (KUSO) an umbrella of all University students’ officials where she was elected the Vice Chairperson.

Hopeful

“We wanted to form a political party after college following an argument that all we needed was a platform where we could help push change in this country having witnessed leadership mess up the management of the

country,” she adds. The group drafted their priorities that they wanted fulfilled once the term of the current government expires. This culminated in a meeting with POA party leader Raphael Tuju in 2011 and shared their vision. It is from here that POA was born and today the party has majority of youthful membership than any other political parties. “Besides the party leader, Chairman and women leaders, all offices are held by young people,” she noted.

Inspired

Alumni of a village primary school, Vicky who went to school without shoes challenges women not to look back at their past if they expect to rise to the position of leadership. Vicky sat for her KCPE in 2001 at Rongena Primary school and attained 347 marks but her parents were unable to pay for her school fees and thus she was forced to repeat. She sat for the same exam in the following year and scored 420 marks but still her parents were unable to pay. But courtesy of a sponsor, she joined form one at Nakuru Girls High school. Inspired by the title of Dr. Sally Kosgei, current Minister for Agriculture, Vicky wondered all her primary school life why the Minister had a title “Doc-

tor” when her teachers who were respected and revered in the village were mere “Misters”.

Willpower

“I set to get serious with my education to be able to attain the title Doctor before my names,” says the Environmental Science first class honours student. Her mother too is her source of inspiration. Her coping with stereotypes and gender roles makes Vicky like the way she does things. “I sometimes thought that she will not manage taking care of us and also feeding the whole family but ends up performing he roles perfectly,” she adds. Vicky is due to graduate at Egerton University later this year having completed her studies in April this year. “Despite joining politics, I intend to continue with my education since a lot needs to be done in environmental conservation in regard to climate change effects,” she adds. An avid reader per excellent, Vicky likes reading biographical books, books she says are inspirational.

Motivation

Besides other books, she has read Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom and Wangari Maathai’s and intend to read more books written by

women. “Women need to read books written by women and move away from stereotypes,” says Vicky. Given Mandela’s sacrifice and steadfast for freedom in South Africa, Vicky now waits for a day she will meet the former President to have a dialogue with him and also to thank him for being a good example for the continent. In her free time Vicky likes peer counselling, reading and writing articles. Vicky asks women to focus and join politics saying that money at times may not be important for them to win seats. Quoting former US President J.F. Kennedy, Vicky says that small things that women do within their surrounding will be written in the history books for generations to read.

Leadership

“Let’s compete for seats irrespective of our marital status. Leadership does not matter whether one is single or married,” notes the fourth born in a family of nine children. She says that what matters in leadership is the ability of the person to deliver development to the people. Vicky, who constantly consults her parents before she indulged in any leadership and political move, praises

her parents for bringing her and other siblings morally. “My father did not like that I join student politics for fear of being expelled from college but after my assurance that I will not engage in unruly behaviours at the expense of my academic work, they agreed that I contest any position I wanted,” she adds.

Guidance

While a student at Egerton University, she teamed up with fellow students from her home area in visiting surrounding primary and secondary schools during vacation to inspire girls so that they could take education seriously. She calls on educated people to help inspire people in the village by letting them know that there is life beyond the sufferings and hardships that goes on in their daily lives. An given this position that she won after an election during the party’s National Delegates Council (NDC), she is set to launch her bid to be a member of parliament for Sotik Constituency in Bomet County. “I did not prefer national political leadership but this is coming about due to the excitement in student leadership and the realisation that it is difficult to change governance from outside,” she notes.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Male aspirants urged to pick women as their running mates …By Joseph Mukubwa

mmediate former Kituo Cha Sheria boss Priscilla Nyokabi has urged male presidential and other aspirants to pick women as their running mates in order to instil a sense of gender balance in the electorate. Nyokabi observed that as a way of encouraging gender sensitiveness in their campaign, male candidates should pick women as their running mates. She noted that this would go a long way in ensuring the constitutional threshold of one third gender rule is attained. “I regret that majority of political parties in the country lack the gender balance outlook as they are male domi-

nated in all the top positions,” observed Nyokabi. She added: “Let us see all male aspirants running for positions that require a running mate pick a woman technocrat as their mate in order to encourage the electorate to view female aspirants as equal to men in leadership roles.”

Parties

Nyokabi reiterated that political parties had no option but to meet the one third gender rule not only in leadership positions but also in membership warning that failure to adhere to the gender rule could result in deregistration. Nyokabi who is vying for the Nyeri

County Women Representative position was speaking in Nyeri town when she met several groups of supporters. Nyokabi said that women aspirants were disadvantaged in the political field and proposed for the reduction of nomination fees to not more than KSh20 000 as a way of encouraging more women contestants. “Women aspirants lack finance as compared to their male counterparts coupled with religious and cultural stereotypes that require them to be submissive to men,” she noted. Nyokabi pledged to address alcoholism among locals and improve education, health and farming among other issues if elected.

Ms. Nyokabi calls on political parties to ensure they meet the gender rule as is enshrined in the constitution

Women call for support of those vying for elective positions …By Ray Wilkins

he Constitution of the Kenya 2010 provides a legal framework for women representation in the parliament. Article 81 (B) of the constitution states “not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender”. A research done by the Women’s Shadow Parliament-Kenya (WSP) in 2008 revealed that the results of 2007 parliamentary elections made a mockery of the much acclaimed 30 per cent threshold in party structure.

Women

Only 10.6 per cent (269 out of 2,548) of the contestants were women and consequently only 7.1 per cent of the elected MPs were women. According to Angelina Aebe who failed to win in the 2007 election, it is possible to achieve the one third threshold women representation in the coming election if the Political Parties Act is implemented fully. Aebe who is aspiring for County Representative in West Sabatia Ward says that people are confusing Article 100 which provides a space to promote representation of women, persons with disabilities, ethnic and other minorities as well as marginalised communities in parliament with elective positions. “The Government is not educating the society properly. Messages discouraging women from standing for elective positions are being spread throughout Sabatia District. People are asking me why I am running for County Representative while I can vie as a woman representative,’’ Aebe lamented.

Space

There are those who believe women are only given space for women representation at the county level. In case one has the aim for running for Parliamentary position, many are not happy and especially men. “They say such women are being big headed,” observes Aebe. The statement ‘your place is in the kitchen’ is one that Aebe heard so many times during the 2007 election. People called her names and ridiculed her but this did not discourage her. She is now very confident after the experience. She now knows how to handle negative attitudes towards women aspirants. Margret Embuni Munalitsi who is vying for Member of Parliament for Hamisi Constitu-

ency in Vihiga County has to compete with 15 other candidates who are all men. It is often said that women are not keen to vote for a fellow woman, but Embuni who is running for an elective position for the first time is confident that they will make her their choice. “Unfortunately women are not aware that fellow women have the right to be voted into public office. The problem is lack of knowledge regarding the role of women play in the electoral process,” notes Embuni. She says: “I am now going deep inside our community to conduct civic education. I believe I will win.” Article 91(f) entrenches that gender equality must be maintained in all levels in political parties. All political parties are expected to respect and promote gender equality. Embuni says she meets the qualifications required for her to vie for the political position. Since it is my first attempt to participate in the election, I am facing serious challenges from fellow women,” she observes. She notes: “The general attitude of women towards my political plans is ‘she cannot make it!’. Unfortunately this reinforces and legitimizes men’s stereotype that women should leave politics to men.” According to Vihiga District Statistics Of-

Alice Kirambi (holding a glass) during an opening of a resource centre in Chavakali fice, the number of females in the district is 298,176 while male are only 268,370. However, this difference in population of female and male has so far not translated into equitable election to senior political leadership positions. In the history of Vihiga District there has not been single woman elected to any senior public office. ‘’Let us win cultural perception that hinder us from occupying the senior positions in our country,” says Hellen Adede who is aspiring for women’s representative seat in Kakamega County.

Bold

Adede challenges women to be bold enough and stand for elective positions. Article 27(3) of the Constitution states that women and men have right to equal treatment including the right to equal opportunities in political arena, economical, cultural and social spheres. According to Adede that is not the reality. “Women are not empowered enough in Kakamega County. We are asking the Government to intensify civic education in Kakamega County

and beyond,’’ she says. ‘’What happened before, during and after the 2007 General Election almost led to the collapse of the country. There was mismanagement of election processes and I hope the forthcoming General Election will be more peaceful,” says Alice Kirambi who is aspiring for Vihiga County Women Representative seat. Even if the Constitution is giving a chance to women, Kirambi feels that political parties should take a responsibility to ensure that women are nominated in order to adhere to the constitutional requirements. As women are preparing themselves for the General Election, Kirambi says that there are signs of political malpractices in various parts of the country as male aspirants have indicated opposition for women. “We are saying that as the Constitution gives us a chance to participate in the leadership of this country, no one should take this constitutional right away from us,” observes Kirambi. “In order to achieve the country’s Vision 2030, we must have both players — women and men,’’ she notes.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

County aspirant calls for integrity in leadership …By Hilda Atika

estern Kenya good governance convener Violet Shivutse working in partnership with Transparency International has called upon area Members of Parliament to support the Public Procurement Bill to be passed. The Bill entails anti-corruption practices happening in procurement considering Government budget which people have to understand, the procurement budget and its processes as well as expenditures strengthening the capacity of common man to participate effectively in monitoring procedures in a transparent way.

Leadership

Shivutse who is aspiring for the Kakamega County Women Representative seat was speaking during the civil society training in Kakamega. “This is the time that we as leaders have realised poor leadership. We are asking participants to join and discuss the Leadership and Integrity Bill currently in parliament,” she said. The meeting included lawyers and experts who understand both the Constitution and law of Kenya. “The provisions like state officers declaring their wealth, assets and liabilities are actually being deleted in the bill. A big concern is how people abuse power and enrich themselves and people’s morals are destroyed and yet this is an important chapter,” said Shivutse.

Integrity

She noted the importance of MPs coming up with mechanisms and strong structures that hold people accountable and help them know the purpose of integrity in the society. As the country approaches general election, the chapter has to be made very strong. Shivutse reiterated the need to reach Chief Justice Willy Mutunga so that people can be protected or “else this Constitution will be useless, as formerly leaders have abused power”. Good Governance Programme was formed three years ago and usually conducts issues within Western Province on how resources, both human and financial, are managed bearing in mind needs of people in the communities, their complaints and delivery institutions like courts if people access justice. The programme is active in ensuring people understand the constitution and participate in ensuring that the articles provided are being adhered to.

Women to be aggressive in political negotiations T …By Yusuf Amin

he Gender and Equality Commission has urged women to come out without fear and fight for leadership in the coming General Election for their rights that have been undermined for a long time by men. The Commission noted with concern that very few women have come out clearly to fight for governorship seats in the counties across the country and asked them to support each other in the elective positions. The Commission made the call at a meeting at Kilifi County Council Hall with women from the county that brought them together to discuss their weaknesses as to why they could not vie for the governorship position. Addressing the meeting, Commission chairperson Winfred Lichuma said women should not depend on nominations but should stand firm and compete with men in the coming General Election.

Competition

“For a long time women have been depending on nominations from vari- A group of women attend a meeting in Kilifi convened by the Gender and Equality Commission to encourage them to ous political parties but the contest for elective seats time has come for them to strongly compete with men,” Victoria said political battle and discuss about their calling However, Lichuma noted this Lichuma noted. in Kilifi County is tough as very so that women can have enough would depend on if women will She called on women to par- strong men have come out to de- representation in the office of the be aggressive in political parties so ticipate and register themselves in clare interest in the governorship governor and have women’s issues that they can be appointed as depupolitical parties so that they can be seat. tackled in time before the general ty governor. recognised and have enough rep“I am asking men to come out elections,” said Victoria. resentation in sharing of positions She added that instead of waitafter the elections. ing for appointments women should “Women should be aggressive come out and fight for governorship in political parties so that they can position. get their share in time of nominaDuring the forum disabled pertions and other advantages of besons urged the Commission to come ing members of parties,” Lichuma in and help them on how they can stressed. participate in voting since most of She called on men in families to them have no means of transport to give more chance to their women in the polling stations. terms of leadership and avoid giving Led by Kadzo Nzaro, they lathem more domestic responsibilities mented that they may not particireiterating that these were the reapate in the coming general elections sons as to why women have been left if the government will not consider behind in Kenyan leadership. their demands. Kadzo also asked the Commission to conduct civic education to Lichuma questioned women various disabled persons’ groups in who are aspiring for the women repKilifi County on how they can fight resentative seats across the country for their rights. not to mislead Kenyans by telling In the end Lichuma urged Kethem that the position will allow nyans to elect leaders who will enthem to fight for the rights of womhance developments in the counties. en only. She said resources in the counShe lamented that most of the ties will be well utilised if people will women have been going round the visionary governors. country sensitising Kenyans that the “For a long time women have been depending electThe forums by the Commission position is meant for fighting for came after residents in Kilifi comwomen rights. on nominations from various political parties plained about extreme poverty that Out of ignorance, it has been has been looming in the county. noted that most women have been but the time has come for them to strongly Many residents in the county misleading people in Kilifi County about the political positions en- compete with men. Women should be aggressive have been facing starvation due lack of food because of drought shrined in the new constitution. in political parties so that they can get their to that has been experienced for many The women led by Regina Vicyears. toria asked the Commission to senshare in time of nominations and other However, Joe Tete, a developsitize men who are vying for goverment leader in the county blamed advantages of being members of parties.” norship position to a point a woman poor leadership for the high level of as a running mate who will be dep— Winfred Lichuma, Chairperson Equality and Gender Commission. poverty in the county. uty governor.

Fight

Rights

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Displaced woman preaching peace in chaos hotspot …By Odhiambo Orlale

ife has never been the same for Salome Maina since she voted in the last General elections five years ago. The mother of four has lived in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps moving from one to the other after the post-elections violence of 2007-2008. However, this has not dampened her spirit and resolve to be a peace champion in Nakuru County, which was the epicentre of the chaos and mayhem that claimed over 1,300 people and left 300,000 displaced. Indeed, as Maina looks forward to being resettled by the Government, she spends most of her working hours promoting peaceful co-existence and harmony in Nakuru city and the county at large.

Rape

Sharing her personal experiences at a forum organised by AWC Features in Nakuru, Maina notes that cases of rape are rampant in the IDP camps. She cited a case of a woman and her six daughters who were raped in turns in neighbouring Uasin Gishu District at the height of the violence. The traumatic incident made the woman contemplate committing suicide because even her husband was not spared. The armed goons further castrated her husband in her presence. “The situation was very bad. I noticed some youths who were from Nakuru town who came to our camp and took away some of the girls and gave them to men as sex slaves,” recalls Maina.

A displaced young girl cooking at their new found home at the camp. Below Ms. Salome Maina narrating what she went through during the 2007/2008 Post Election Violence. ing a church crusade where one of the pastors claimed he could help one of the boys, a Form Four graduate get a job in Nakuru, but instead ended up molesting the boy and infecting him with HIV. “The man asked the boy to spend the night at his onebedroomed house. The food was laced with drugs and the student was sodomised. When the boy woke up in the morning, he found the man had fled. He then walked back to the IDP camp and shared the information with

Rescue

She reported the matter to the police and two girls were later rescued. Many women, even married ones, were sexually abused. She blames the vice to the high unemployment rate among young and adult men which has led to rise in rape, defilement and sodomy cases in the IDP camps. Maina recalls an incident dur-

us,” explains Maina. When the boy went to hospital for treatment, he was found to be have been infected with HIV which traumatised him further. The boy has since been receiving counselling sessions. Maina has vowed to be a peace champion in order to ensure that such cases are nipped in the bud before the next General Election. “We must address the current problem of high unemployment because it is a major cause of conflict leading to rape and sexual slavery among other vices,” she says.

Taming the current tide of violence will reduce cases of GBV …By Rosemary Okello

his December, when the world has just ended commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence, an annual event that is more relevant today especially with the current conflict and political violence being experienced in some pockets of the country.

Safety

As the country approaches the March 4, 2013 General Election, there is real concern about the safety of women and girls. This is because gender-based violence has become a defining feature of Kenya’s General Elections. Since 1992, cases of sexual violence characterize every election, the difference being only on the magnitude. What is disturbing is that this violence is happening at time when many international instruments and national laws to address sexual vio-

lence against women exist. Every year, women continue to organise and advocate for concrete and lasting solutions to eliminate sexual and gender based violence as well as domestication of international frameworks. They also engage in numerous studies to understand this violence. Through this, the direct relationship between insecurity, sexual violence as well as HIV and Aids vulnerability has been shown to exist. Gender inequalities, power dynamics between men and women and the control of economic resources, are other causes or linkages to this violence. In Kenya, there is limited data available on the total number and extent of sexual and gender based violence during conflicts such as the post-election violence. The total number of victims remains unknown. In most cases they go unreported, because of shame, embarrassment, stigma and a lack of awareness on the law among other things. Stories such as; “Not only are we

raped, infected with HIV and ripped of our livelihoods, we remain with limited platform for sharing such experiences” are too common. This data if captured can bring out the many underlying reason why this violence thrives. However, studies done on this subject show that violence and crime thrives in society that manifest wide gaps in income, wealth and access to important services such as education, health and infrastructure.

Violence

There are two views that relate to violence and crime, when viewed in the context of poverty and inequality. Firstly, there is the view that violence and crime is triggered by wide differences in income, employment and political power. People who have little share of these important factors in life use force and breach the law because of their inability to acquire them through the normal process of legiti-

mate work and democratic participation. This is the group that is also very active during election time. On the other hand, the inequality that exists between men and women tends to fuel violence within households which are linked to economic empowerment. In this case, majority of the victims are women. This year’s theme of 16 days of gender activisms against gender violence: From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women was very appropriate to Kenya. There are concerns that what is being experienced now as we move towards elections might exacerbate gender based violence in the country. As we get deeper in the electioneering process and the post-election period, there is need for the Government and other stakeholders to find persuasive ways of mitigating this gender based violence. We need to ensure that zero-tolerance for sexual violence and rapes are

embraced as a key element to peace and security. All stakeholders need to bring to live the African Union Gender Equality Declaration and Protocol on Women’s Rights in Africa Declaration as well as the Security Council Resolution 1325. It is against this background that the Peace Initiative Kenya project which is being implemented by International Rescue Committee (IRC) and other six partner aims to create grassroots networks that have the capacity to prevent and mitigate violence, including gender based violence in Kenya’s conflict prone zones during the pre- and post-election periods.

Society

Under the theme: My vote, My choice for violence free society, this initiative will link gender based violence and elections in Kenya as well as use an action-oriented strategy to rapidly create a more protective and peaceful environment in the run-up to the March 2013 elections.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Teenage pregnancies killing girls’ dreams …By Said Mmanga

idawa was the jewel of her village. Her parents, Mr and Mrs Shomvi Mazongera were very proud of her. The villagers had noticed her academic prowess and were talking of how she would end up at a medical college to train as a doctor. Born to ordinary farmers, Kidawa received all the support she needed to see her through her education. Her end year Standard Six examination results put her at the top of a class of 230 students. Her parents did everything to ensure that she triumphed in the following year during her final Standard Seven examinations. However, this never came to pass. Kidawa got pregnant and was forced to drop from school. Her dreams of becoming a doctor shattered.

Dream

Kidawa’s case is one of the many young women whose dreams of pursuing promising careers are destroyed after they get impregnated by teachers, family members or men in the community. A report by the Association of Women Journalists in Tanzania (TAMWA) released in April notes that one of the main causes for girls dropping out of school is either pregnancy or forced marriage. The report states that between 2004 and 2008 a total of 28,590 students of whom 11,599 were in secondary schools and 16,991 in primary dropped out due to pregnancy. The disturbing trend is happening at a time when the Sexual Offences Act is categorical that having sex with a student even if she has consented is considered as rape. This law aims at reducing sexual violence against women and children. However it has failed to bring about the expected results as the practice seems to be gaining momentum. In Kisarawe District, six pupils of Standard Seven failed to seat for their 2012 final examinations due to pregnancy. According to Vivian Masangya, acting District Education Officer of Kisarawe in Coast Region, many factors are to blame for

the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies. She cites the major one as poverty which forces young girls to engage in sex in exchange of money to buy food. “Lack of boarding facilities makes students walk long distances offering a perfect opportunity for men to confuse them on the way,” says Masangya. She adds: “The law alone is not enough to reduce the problem of female students dropping out of school due to pregnancy. Parents and the community must be involved and made to put a premium on education.” Masangya laments that some parents tell their daughters to perform poorly on their final examinations so that they can leave school and get married.

Parents

There are also parents who ask their daughters not implicate the men responsible for pregnancy even when the matter is taken to court. “You will find a student has become pregnant and the Department of Education has taken all the steps to apprehend the culprit,” says Masangya. “However, the girl will tell the court she does not know who impregnat-

School girls walking in their school compound. Reports reveal that many girls drop out due to pregnancy. ed her because she met the man at market.” Cases of girls being impregnated and forced out of school are worsened by poor investigations by the police as well as corruption, and distorting of evidence. According to Sijapata Mkumbi Danga, a Health Education Officer at Kisarawe, parents are the main source of students dropping out due to pregnancy. He says most of them do not support teachers to help manage the situation. “Some of the parents receive dowry before their daughters sit of their examination and encourage the girls not to work hard,” says Danga. He adds: “They even subject teachers to hostility for encouraging such girls to work hard.” Referring to delays in cases of school girls who have been impregnated, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional affairs Angela Kairuki says that there are many factors that contribute to delays in these proceedings, including lack of investigators and magistrates. According to Mzee Mohamedi Tajiri, a

resident of Temeke Mikoroshini, his daughter was impregnated while in class five three years ago and he has been frustrated while trying to get justice through the courts. “The courts keep postponing the case,” says Tajiri. He wants such cases to be dispensed off very fast if the public is to regain trust with the courts.

Consideration

However, according to Philip Mulugo, Deputy Minister of Education and Vocational Training, to deal with the problem all the factors must be taken into consideration. Mulugo says that second phase of the Development Plan of Secondary Education is going to construct 20 hostels in secondary schools as part of a strategy to address the problem. “The ministry continues to offer a wide range of life skills and counselling in schools as part of dealing with the challenge of students who get pregnant,” explains Mulugo.

Lack of focused leadership to blame for poor education …By Yusuf Amin

oor leadership that has been experienced in Ganze district has been the root cause for the poor education standards among many women in the area. A visitor to the district will be welcomed by the face of frustrated women who have lost hope in their lives due to the low level of education that has been the order of the day in this semi-arid district. In some cases in the late 1990s women in the Giriama community were considered as good at caring for their families by cooking for their husbands and taking care of the children. Women would sit under trees and discuss issues of education but their plans would be swept away when men came in and asked them to forget about education and take their domestic roles. This is one of the reasons as to

why Ganze women have been left behind in education compared to others in other districts in the Country. Leaders in the district have also been blamed for not offering some comprehensive ideas on how to promote the girl child education in the area for this has been the trend since independence. However, through a human rights activist in the area efforts are being made to ensure that the number of women accessing education in Ganze district increases so that they can get equal share of leadership like other women in the country. The activist Nzai Baraka has for the last ten years been conducting some civic education to the community on the importance of girl child education. Baraka has been in the front line in making sure that the leaders in the area recognise girl child education though there have been some resistance from men.

‘The resistance came after some of the leaders started discriminating the girls in the society and giving priority to the boy child education Baraka lamented during this interview. According to Baraka lack of education among girls in the district has been experienced for many years but he commended the government on introducing a compulsory free primary education.

and he would sit down under a tree and digest on how to rescue young girls from old wealthy men who target them for marriage. Baraka claims that his life in this area has been difficult due to lack of funds to enable him to move to all locations despite threats from parents who had taken dowry from wealthy old men after his intervention in rescuing the girls and taken them back to school.

The gender activist explained to the leaders on the importance of recognising every gender equally without discriminating the children for the benefit of development in the district. “Discriminating girls in education matters has contributed to early marriages cases that have been experienced in the district for many years,” said Baraka. According to Baraka his life in activism has been very much hectic

Baraka said that he used to conduct secret civic education with young girls on the importance of education and how to counter attack the vice that has led the district to its extreme poverty. “I used to conduct civic education to the young girls with the help of assistants chiefs in the locations to sensitise them on the dangers of getting married while still young,” he noted. The activist further blamed the

Gender

Girls

area leaders for not introducing a special kit for girl child education leading to the low number of girls pursuing secondary education in the area. Betty Menza who advocate for the rights of girls in the district said more effort should be made to increase the number of girls in school. Menza lamented that girls should not be discriminated and should be encouraged to access education like boys so that development can be enhanced in the district. Through the effort made by the activist for the last two years the number of girls accessing education in the district has increased and the leaders now can sit in groups and discuss on how to promote girl child education. The efforts made by the government in promoting education by introducing a free and compulsory primary education have also helped the activist in uplifting the level of education in the district.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Northern Uganda represents grave impact of sexual assault …By Jane Godia

n Northern Uganda the Lord’s Resistance Army meted violence on women and girls because they were in a vulnerable situation and there was no law to respond. Here the rebels abducted girls who they forcefully turned into wives and mothers. When eventually the girls manage to go back home after being released, the society rejects them because many were no longer pure, and many have had children with the rebels and worse still some are even infected with HIV. Women and men as well as boys and girls who have suffered sexual violence and rape remain deeply affected by the act. The impact is especially grave at individual and community level.

Impact

The impact of sexual violence is always greater among the survivors since it is indelible. Sexual violence and rape is a crime committed against persons. This could be forced pregnancy, forced prostitution where one is forced to sell their body to make a living; sexual slavery where women and girls serve their captors with sex; or as in the case of Lord’s Resistance Army where girls were forced to become wives and bear children; or mutilation of reproductive organs as was the case in Sierra Leone and Northern Uganda.

Torture

“Sexual violence and rape are acts of torture that can happen to any individual,” says Betty Kaari Murungi, a Gender and Conflict

Expert. Many of the sexual violence and rape survivors do not recover psychologically because the high premium placed on women and girls make it difficult. “Women who have been raped get divorced by their husbands. Girls who have been raped suffer social stigma, shame and exclusion and end up being ostracised,” says Murungi.

Rejection

In Uganda during the integration of those who had been abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army were not welcomed back even after what they had gone through by their communities. Where there has been mass rape it leaves trauma. This is because members of the particular community blame themselves for not been being able to protect their women and girls. There is a second trauma in mass rapes because a nation and community suffers also. Some of the impact of mass rapes according to Murungi can be seen through the disintegration of the social fabric and a loss of confidence in institutions that are supposed to offer protection. “There is a loss in livelihoods, health and dignity resulting in bigger loss to the nation because the survivors cannot make a contribution to the economy.”

Betty Ajok, who was kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army as a child, returned as a mother of two children. Here she is seen in her sister's house in Anaka pondering her next move. Inset: Returnees receiving relief food from World Food Programme at Anaka District Hospital compound.

Multi-pronged approach needed to reduce gender based violence …Johannesburg, South Africa

atriarchal norms and attitudes including those that excuse or legitimatise the use of violence are driving the alarming rates of gender based violence (GBV) in South Africa. This is one of the topline findings of the Gender Based Violence indicators research carried out in Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape provinces of South Africa (SA) by Gender Links (GL) between 2010 and 2012. The research measures the extent, effects, response and prevention of violence against women perpetrated by men. As the 2012 16 Days Campaign kicked off, Gender Links urged the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities to launch and allocate a substantive budget for the proposed National Gender Based Violence Council.

Study

Gender Links further urged the government to cascade the research to the remaining five provinces of South Africa, to establish a national baseline against which to measure progress towards the attainment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) target of halving gender based violence by 2015. Seventy seven per cent of women in Limpopo, 51 per cent in Gauteng, 45 per cent in Western Cape and 36 per cent in KwaZulu Natal have experienced some form of violence — emotional, economic, physical or sexual — in their lifetime both within and outside intimate relationships. A higher proportion of men in Gauteng (76

per cent) and KwaZulu Natal (41 per cent) admitted to perpetrating violence against women in their lifetime. A slightly lower proportion of men, compared to the proportion of women reporting gender based violence said they perpetrated the violence where in Limpopo it was 48 per cent and Western Cape 35 per cent. Comparing what women say they experience to what men say they do confirms that gender violence is a reality in South Africa.

Statistics

The majority of violence reported occurred within women’s and men’s private lives. Fifty one per cent of ever-partnered women in Gauteng, 51 per cent in Limpopo, 44 per cent in Western Cape and 29 per cent of women in KwaZulu Natal reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. The low prevalence of gender based violence reported by women in KwaZulu Natal is indicative of an even bigger problem that women may not be openly disclosing their experiences. However, women are also vulnerable to violence in public life. Twelve per cent of women in Gauteng; six per cent in Western Cape; five per cent in Limpopo and five per cent in KwaZulu Natal reported experiencing non-partner rape in their lifetime. The proportion of men reporting rape perpetration in the four provinces is significantly higher than the proportion of women reporting experience. In Gauteng, 31 per cent of men admitted to have raped a woman at least once in their lifetime. Over half (59 per cent) of women in Limpopo, five per cent in KwaZulu Natal, five per cent in Western Cape and 2.7 per cent

in Gauteng who had ever worked reported being sexually harassed. They disclosed that a man either hinted or threatened that they would lose their job if they did not have sex with him; or they would have to have sex with him in order to get a job. Almost two thirds (65.9 per cent) of women in Limpopo, two per cent in KwaZulu Natal, 1.4 per cent of women in Gauteng and 1.2 per cent of women in Western Cape who had attended school said the experienced sexual harassment at school. The extremely high prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace and at school in Limpopo Province warrants further research.

Victims

The Limpopo research shows that women in the province suffer from gender based violence related to witch-hunting. This occurs when communities blame deaths, sicknesses or other misfortunes in their community on witchcraft. Women constitute the vast majority of those being victimised over witchcraft. Those accused experience multiple effects including emotional, trauma, injury, being forced to leave home or relocate and loss or damage to property. Communities continue to unite in plans to exterminate women suspected of witchcraft. In the Western Cape, the research shows that women are being forced or initiated into drug intake by their intimate partners. At times, drug intake becomes an effect as abused women attempt to escape the trauma that comes with gender violence. In KwaZulu Natal, women are not speaking out about gender violence. Generally literacy levels are low thus knowledge on the forms of abuse, women’s

rights and where to get help barely reaches these women. They actually uphold and affirm patriarchy. The research shows that reactionary attitudes and beliefs in communities fuel the incidences of gender based violence. High proportions of women and men agreed that a woman should obey her husband. However, the proportion of women agreeing to the notion of wife obedience in each of the sites is lower than men’s, showing that women are slightly more progressive than men

Evidence

The indicators research findings provide invaluable evidence required to review the 365 Day South African National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence. A report released by the Commission on Gender Equality recently found that government efforts towards implementing the plan have been fragmented and lacked a dedicated budget. Activists are urging that the long-delayed National Gender Based Violence Council, to be chaired by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, be announced during the Sixteen Days. The high level, multi-sector Council is modelled on the South African National AIDS Council. Gender Links also called on local government needs to allocate financial resources for context specific prevention and awareness raising initiatives using the findings from the indicators research. Advocacy programmes must be targeted at changing women’s and men’s attitudes towards gender relations. Engaging men and youth in the fight to reduce levels of gender based violence cannot be underrated. — Courtesy of Gender Links

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Society has not done enough to protect children

n the recent months, cases of children who have been violated by relatives, neighbours and teachers have been on the rise. With this increase, there is concern about the existence and effectiveness of institutions established to protect children from abuse. To get answers on what needs to be done to manage the situation; Saphia Ngalapi interviewed Muruga J. John, the program manager of Changanyikeni Children Development Organization, a non-governmental organisation that deals with children development and protection. Here are the excerpts of the interview. QUESTION: There is increasing cases of violence against children, do you agree? Muruga: Yes I agree that violence against children is on the rise with many cases being reported in the media. I have witnessed this happening in my neighbourhood. However, I blame it on the breakdown of families and morals. Parents have abdicated the role of taking care of the children to other people. Q: What forms of violence do children experience now days? Muruga: The most common form of violence against children is sexual violence, which is more prevalent among those aged below 18 years. Physical and emotional violence are also inflicted on children. Corporal punishment is also on the rise and it is sad to note that this is regarded as a normal thing in the community and rarely condemned by human rights activists or the government. Q: What do you think is the root cause of increased cases of violence against children? Muruga: I personally believe that the root cause of increased cases of violence against children is informed by the parents’ background. Those parents who were mentally or physically abused when young also abuse their children. Other causes

…By Boniface Mulu

C Girls who escaped female genital mutilation and early marriage at the AIC Girls’ Rescue Centre in Kajiado in Kenya. Just like in Kenya, girls in Tanzania are being forced into early marriage before completing their schooling. Picture: AWC are abuse of drugs, alcoholism, mental disorders, divorce and as well as poverty. Q: Tanzania has signed international conventions and declarations on the protection of the child, why is this still a major problem? Muruga: I am aware of different conventions and charters that advance and protect the rights of the child against violence. However, the problem is the content of these documents are a preserve of lawyers and the elite. Ordinary Tanzanian families where the violence is mostly perpetrated have no idea of these conventions and charters. We have not done adequate awareness cre-

ation on these matters to enlighten people about the provisions of these instruments. Q: Who between girls and boys experiences more violence? Muruga: Various reports published by the mass media show that girls are more affected than boys. For example, girls are more likely to be punched and forced to engage in sexual activity against their will. Q. In the society, who is the main perpetrator of violence against children? Muruga: To reiterate, I think parents are the main perpetrators of violence in society. This means violence against children is rooted in the

family. Q. What needs to be done to contain violence against children? Muruga: I think it is the duty of everyone in the society to rethink critically on what needs to be done. We need to reflect on how we were treated as children and how we should treat children with sympathy, love and care so that they can be better citizens of tomorrow. We do not want to raise children with psychological problems. We need to also ensure the Children’s Act of 2009 is effective and active. Lastly, we need to create awareness on the rights of children as a starting point to end violence against children.

Scourge that is early child marriages

…By Noor Shija

he current debate raging in Tanzania on what to include or not to in the proposed constitution has concentrated on political issues. However, Tanzanians should not forget that there are social issues that need to be debated with same intensity and interest. One of these issues includes the age at which a girl should marry. Child marriages are a major problem in the country.

Law

Even with the ratification and enactment of laws meant to protect children’s rights, Tanzania has one of the highest prevalence rates of child marriages in the world. In 2010, a study by UNICEF, UN Women and UNFPA showed that about 37 per cent of the women aged 20-24 were married before age 18. The highest prevalence was 59 per cent in Shinyanga and the lowest was eight per cent Iringa. The agencies’ survey indicates that about 764,000 women aged between 20 and 24 years were married before aged 18. In West and Unguja districts, a total of 13 cases of early pregnancies were reported to the registrar in the Ministry of Education in 2011 alone. If this trend continues, the UN warns, over 1.3 million young girls born between 2005 and 2010 will be married

Domestic workers most exploited

before the age 18 by 2030. The agencies have raised a red flag on child marriages in the country and called for urgent action to stem the tide. According to a study conducted by Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF), adulthood is viewed differently in many societies hence the reason why children are often forced to marry at a young age. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that one remains a child until the age of 18. It states that children below this age are not physically, physiologically or psychologically ready for the responsibilities of marriage and child bearing. In theory international human rights frameworks offer children protection from marriage at a young age. Yet in practice this does not happen. Tanzania has ratified conventions against child marriage, but the vice continues to thrive in the country. These conventions include: Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, article 16; Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) of 1979; articles 2 and 16, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Children of 2000; article xxi, and Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa of 2003, article 16 (a), (b) and (d). It is sad that despite Tanzania ratifying many conventions, cases of early marriages have increased with abandon. The country has not domesticated them

in national law. This is the reason why child marriages persist in the country. Ordinary Tanzanian’s wonder why the government is fast to ratify international convention but fails to domesticate them to benefit the ordinary person. This lack of interest and concern in the part of the government can also be blamed for the contradictions in laws meant to protect children. For instance, the Children and Young Persons Act defines a child as one under the age of 12, while the Evidence Act says the age of majority is 14 years. The Law of Marriage Act (1971) allows for boys to marry at 18 and girls to marry at 15. They can marry at 14 if the courts approve their request. Girls under 18 need their parents’ permission to marry. This then means under Tanzanian law, child marriage has a legal status. Recently, President Jakaya Kikwete in a public pronouncement called for the arrest of men who impregnated school-girls. A livid Kikwete said some of the girls getting married were as young as 11 years old. He asked parents and community leaders to ensure teenage girls completed school.

Statistics

His concerns were not unfounded. Government statistics show that 30 per cent of Tanzanian children enrolled in school fail to complete seven years of primary education, while in secondary schools the drop-out rate is 20 per cent.

The then Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Ludovic Mwananzila, was quoted by IRIN as saying that the drop-out rate due to pregnancy were higher in some areas than in others. Research by Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA) in Zanzibar shows that in Tumbe and Micheweni primary schools in Micheweni District in Pemba, an average of 10 girls drop out of school each year due to forced marriage.

Marriage

There are many reasons why child marriage thrives in Tanzania. Plan International says lack of gender equality is one of the factors. Poverty is another factor. Some parents marry off their young daughters for dowry, especially if the man has a lot of money. The other reason is ignorance about the laws that regulate marriages, especially those of children. Consequences of these child marriages include sexually transmitted infections and increased cases of divorce. The current penalties on early child marriages are very lenient and there calls on the government to bring an amendment bill to make the penalties more severe and sufficiently deterrent. Majority of Tanzanians are not aware of the problems or consequences of early marriages. There is therefore need to undertake aggressive awareness programmes.

ases of women and girls being take advantage of physically and sexually are on the increase not only locally but internationally as well. According to Joshua Kitheka Organising Secretary Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEHIA) Kitui County, local house girls suffer in the hands of employers just like those who end up in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries. However, their cases are not highlighted as much. Kitheka lamented that many girls and women had become victims of exploitation by employment bureaus after being exported to Saudi Arabia and other foreign countries. “A number of cases also involve underage girls and boys who are paid peanuts and end being sexually and physically abused,” says Kitheka. He noted that there are many cases of child labour in Kitui County among other parts of the country. Many of them can be found selling ice-cream and groundnuts while others work in soap-making factories. His sentiments echo a new research released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which shows that girls have been misused as house-helps in the country. The research indicates that Kitui, Busia and Kilifi counties are the major suppliers of house helps who are brought to Thika, Nairobi, Kitui, Machakos and Mombasa. Poverty, ignorance, negligence, domestic violence and some outdated cultures as some of the factors that contribute to child labour. According to James Ngari, Industrial Relations Officer with KUDHEIHA, it is through outdated cultures that some parents tend to value their sons more than girls. “This behaviour creates a gap between boys and their sisters,” noted Ngari. He reiterated that physical abuse by family members also contributed to human rights abuse and eventually child labour. Ngari said that despite the provision of free primary education in the country, there were other school levies that parents could not afford to raise forcing many children to drop out of school and join the labour market. Some of these children, especially the girls end up being victims of sexual abuse when they are sent into households to offer labour and are assaulted physically by women employers and sexually by the men. “The children accept low payments by their employers because they do not have negotiating skills,” Ngari noted.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Samburu girl child beading, an unspoken human violation I … By James Wanjiku

t is said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that love is the greatest thing of existence on earth. Every woman feel cherished when told “You are beautiful”. Next time a man throws you an admiring glance, he has probably just heard the intelligent things you’ve been saying. Many women will find it hard to believe, but new research suggests men increasingly value intellect and character in a partner over a shapely figure. Apparently, traditional wifely skills such as being a good cook are also becoming less important to modern men.

Looks

However, women now tend to be more interested in a man’s looks than before, and less preoccupied by their wealth as they are able to depend on themselves financially. According to Samburu culture in Kenya, culture of beading amongst girls of the age of six to 14 years has been greatly up-held with high esteem from colonial, to a colonial, to post-colonial and to the current modern society. When a girl reach the age of 6-14 years, the culture dictates that a closely related moran (a freshly circumcised warrior) presents red beads to her to signify that he has officially commenced a temporary relationship with her. The girl’s mother erects a house called ‘singira’, where the moran is allowed to have unlimited sexual affair with her daughter.

Packets

One packet of bead goes at a cost of Ksh 1,500 and about ten packets are enough to make a beautiful bead for a girl. The moran incurs a cost of about Ksh 15,000 for the beads and some few gifts of sugar and maize flour to the girl’s mother. However, the culture also dictates that the moran is not bound to marry the girl he has spotted for beading because they are both from the same clan. They are entitled to have sex but pregnancy is highly forbidden and in such circumstances, it

has to be terminated immediately despite the high risks involved. The culture which has existed for two centuries now is enforced as a way to discourage young girls from having multiple relationships or boyfriends before marriage. In my visit to Kipsing’ area in Isiolo County together with the Samburu Women for Education and Environment Organization (SWEEDO), we encounter Ms Hellen Leinasho who has rescued two girls who had been thrown away as a result of beading. The 48 year-old Leinasho says that she woke up one morning and heard some babies cry at the bank of a seasonal river. She Beading 1: Jane Meriwas, the director of Samburu Women for Education and Environment took them, breastfed and raised them up Organization (SWEEDO) urging the Samburu community to stop beading practice as her own children. Photos By James Wanjiku She says that after rescuing the two infants, she took them to hospital for medical check-up and opted to adopt them. away in the bush or besides river banks so that According to Jane Meriwas, the Director As a result, her husband chased her of SWEEDO, even some morans fall victims away from the house alleging that she could not they can be eaten by wild animals. Alternatively, she says, the mother’s womb is of beading if they are suspected or caught bear her any children. squeezed by women in the forest until the foetus having an affair with beaded girls or a marcomes out. “It is so painful and some of them ried wife. “In such cases, the moran is beaten to death “When my husband kicked me out of the died in the melee,” she adds. To Leinasho, beauty is good but beading is by his colleagues or implanted permanent physihouse, he did not deter me from showing my love to the two awesome angels. The boy and sex slavery because girls are nowadays entitled cal disability”, she says. The victim, she adds, is not allowed to regirl are now 9 and 7 years old respectively and to education and freedom of choice. “I have talked to various morans in my port the matter to anyone due to the traditions they believe that I am their real mum”, she community trying to sensitise them to drop the of the community. says. The Director of the National Coalition HuLeinasho says that she was beaded at a oppressive cultures and some have even joined man Rights Defenders Mr. Kamau Ngugi urged very young age by a moran and that he was so schools,” says Lepainasho. Lepainasho did not go to school but the residents to embrace change and take their submissive to him and endured the pain just as the culture demands. While smiling, she strives alone against all odds to cater for the children, both boys and girls to school. “Long time ago, our ancestors used to wear says that luck was on her side as she did not two children and other three belonging to her sister. clothes made from skin but now we all wear get pregnant. However, some Samburu girls take pride decent clothes. Why shouldn’t we also change She says that her mother and brother received some sugar, tea leaves and maize flour as when a moran catches her eye and gives her the from carrying along those oppressive cultures an appreciation while she was not supposed to confidence to shine amongst other unbeaded of girl beading and embrace the new?” Kamau girls. She actually likes it when a moran comes says. question. Meriwas appealed to the community to When I ask her what befalls the children along to present her with the red beads. cease violating their girls’ human rights as Kewho are born as a result of beading, she sheds nya is now in a new dispensation. bitter tears. They never step into classrooms but re“We are in a new dispensation and every At that age, I witnessed a newly born baby being killed by concoctions brewed from con- ally appreciate beauty like any other woman and Kenyan should know that the new constitution hence been beaded is a sign that one’s beauty has grants every citizen protection of human rights”, centrated tobacco snuff,” she says. she said. She reveals that other children are thrown been noticed.

Out

Classroom

Concern over rising cases of sexual harassment in schools

…By Maureen Odunga

n the early 1990s, a female student at the University of Dar es Salaam committed suicide over claims that she was being sexually harassed. Twenty two years later sexual harassment remains a major issue in learning institutions. Sexual harassment can defined as unwanted and unwelcome behaviour of sexual nature that interferes with a person’s ability to receive an equal educational opportunity. It is a form of sex discrimination and abuse that is prohibited in Tanzania’s laws.

Conduct

Sexual harassment includes attempted rape, unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favours as well as other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of sexual nature. They are perpetrated by teachers, fellow students and men or women in the society against the

opposite gender. Since the 1990 incident, sexual harassment, especially of young women has been on the rise with many no longer safe in their homes, schools, workplace and the society at large. While the government of Tanzania has done well in increasing the number of girls being enrolled in schools, the biggest challenge has been retaining them in class. One of the biggest threats to their continued presence in school is sexual harassment. The increasing number of school girls drop out due to sexual harassment has been compounded by unintended pregnancies. Those responsible for these acts are male teachers, fellow male students as well as colleagues at work and other male relations. In some cases, the perpetrators continue to inflict harm on young girls with impunity. Although there exists laws and regulations that address sexual abuse and harassment,

progress is yet to be made in reining in on the culprits. The culture of silence and corruption, shrouded with shame and stigma make most cases of sexual harassment go unreported. Many students are also subjected to sexual harassment while on their way home from school, in school, or in their areas of residence. Others are harassed as they use public modes of transport by touts and male passengers.

Harassment

In Tanzania, reported cases of sexual harassment among school girls include unsolicited touching of breasts, buttocks or other sensitive parts of the body. Some of these actions take place when young girls are being transported in public vehicles or when they are given a lift by strangers, relatives, or family friends. Actual data and reporting of such cases is either non-existence or very low. This has made it very difficult for the Government to

design appropriate interventions. What needs to be done now is for strict enforcement of the existing laws that spell out punitive penalties for sexual harassment or any other form of gender based violence. For us to deal decisively with this matter, the Government and non-governmental organisations will need to carry out aggressive awareness creation and sensitization campaigns across the country. Parents on the other hand need to have sessions with their children on matters of sexuality and reproductive health to empower them with knowledge on how to manage their situation. There is need a special curriculum on sexual and reproductive health for the students which teachers can use to empower them with knowledge on how to deal with issues of sexual violence. Through these three strategies, chances of reducing cases of sexual harassment are high.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Reusable pads, answer to women empowerment

…By Carolyne Oyugi

hen I heard of I-Care reusable sanitary pads in Kenya I was very impressed. I knew that more girls would have a chance to go to school even during their menstrual periods and hence better performance. What I did not know was that what I knew was just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Chantal Heutink does for the women and youths in Nyanza Province. At 7 years old Chantal already knew what she wanted to be in future. She had a role model who she really admired and hoped to do what she does and even do it better. She however bottled these desires in her and after college went ahead to join the corporate world. She later realised that she did not get the fulfillment that she wanted in life. “For years I was seeking who am I? What do I want? Why am I doing, what I am doing? Working in a corporate environment, wearing business suits and high heels, it looked as if I was very successful but was I? I wanted to become Florence Nightingale in Africa. But how does that fit in my current life?” That important question changed her life. “At one point somebody asked me what I wanted to do when I was 7 years old. I started laughing, sitting in front of him in my business outfit.” In 2005 she started her own company named 4xD, which means: Enterprising is all about Dreaming, Thinking, Daring and especially Doing it! By establishing 4xD she knew she had to follow her own dream. “No excuses anymore. So I put my high heels in the closet and came to Kenya in April 2006 to work as a volunteer for 4 months. This period has affected my life immensely.” she says.

Chantal Heutink giving advice to a group of primary school girls in Nyanza province. Below she is giving a speech during one her official functions in the area. very painful and have hurt her a lot, has a reason. She knew that one day she can do something good with it and help people around her.

Contrast

She was impressed and startled by the contrast between the colourful, musical and joyous sides of life in Kenya with its beautiful flora and fauna and on the other side the incredible poverty and terrible state of health of the population, visible everywhere. However, what struck her most was the women’s energy and will-power of the women who work themselves out of their situation, particularly those in the rural areas. Unfortunately, they usually don’t know how to go about with this process since they lack the required resources, which is why they need an extra hand. “Sitting under the tree in the rural area, talking to these women I felt home and finally, after all those years, finding my purpose and mission in life.” Back home (in the Netherlands – Amsterdam) she established, together with her husband: Afri-Can Foundation. The aim of this foundation is to support income generating projects.

Capacity

The Foundation’s vision is embedded on creating and utilising opportunities so that men and in particular women become capable of building a dignified existence. As she believes every human being has potential and everybody can. She is motivated by the fact that people around her find it inspiring, are supporting her and definitely embracing it. Chantal studied Business Administration and a background in coaching. At times she jokingly says that she has a degree at the University of Life. “Kenyan people find it very important to study, study and study, but what do you have with all that theory if you are not capable to implement it in your daily live and work? Understand me correctly, education is very important but it is also essential to put flesh on something

Inspiration

and actually doing it,” she laments. I’m Dutch and grew up in the Netherlands, but was born in France and have also lived in Denmark for 3 years.

Childhood

“I have had a very rough youth. My parents divorced early and this had a huge impact in our family and I’ve been sexually abused for years. In an early stage I learned to survive. For years my self-esteem was very low and I struggled to get my life in place as there was not much support around me. My journey definitely hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped me into who I am,” she notes. From her experience, she learnt that, being a victim is a choice. You can choose to blame everybody around you, feel sorry about yourself and your life or you can stand up, take responsibility about your own life and heal your wounds. “The scars will always be there as it is part of who you are, but the wounds will heal,” she observes. As a child deep inside she always knew that her experiences in life, even though they were

“And see what has happened? My past is the real engine behind Afri-Can and especially I-Care, that’s the reason I started and I’m capable in continue doing it, despite the challenges we are facing by times,” says Chantal. Chantal says that as a girl she grew up feeling ashamed of her body and who she was due to the sexual abuse. She emphasises that her backlog is one of the worst things which can happen to a child. “It takes years before you get over it and are able to build up some self-esteem. Every child has the right to grow up, feeling comforted, loved and taken care of. Taking away that innocence is a crime and it is cruel to take advantage of the vulnerability of girls,” she adds. Growing up feeling ashamed during their menses and boys laughing at them because they’re leaking, hits her. “It makes girls feel uncomfortable and insecure and due to this they start with a backlog as well. How can we talk about women empowerment, if something like this is happening?” she asks Chantal.

Intervention

Chantal says that it is a shame millions of girls doesn’t have access to sanitary pads.” Having your menses is part of us, as women. It’s not something we can change (and I think at times we wish we could change it!). “ She also thinks that the government is not looking at a sustainable solution. They address it now, because it is election time. “They should talk with organisations like us and come with a sustainable solution. Buying pads every month is a costly affair and what

will happen with the waste? Buying a package on annual basis is much cheaper and it is durable as well. They could subsidise part of it and the other part could be the responsibility of schools and parents.” she proposes. I-Care Pads offers a sustainable solution, besides a great solution for the girls and women, it also creates jobs as the pads are produced locally and are all Kenyan made. It’s a fantastic business opportunity and will boost the Kenyan economy

Campaigns

During their sensitisation workshops AfriCan addresses sensitive issues, talk about reproductive health and girl mentorship. The good work however does not come easily. “Getting things done in Kenya is a hell of a job. Procedures, regulations and getting official documents by the Government take a very long time, which is extremely frustrating, “she says. Doing business in an African context is another challenge. People react very enthusiastic. They make lots of promises, but actually doing it is something different. “We also see and experience people try to copy the product and think it’s an easy job, which isn’t, especially if you want to meet a certain standard, which is very important. We are now in the process of getting a certificate by Kenya Bereau of Standards and I can tell you, high standards need to be met to get it,” she says. Chantal reveals that they have big plans and dreams with Afri-Can and especially I-Care Pads. They want to expand the Kisumu plant and in the near future also expand to other areas within Kenya. “Despite the challenges, we believe in our dream and I-Care. We see the change already, as girls who are using the pads, nowadays don’t miss their lessons and are able to finish school. Partners like SOS Child village also embraced I-Care Pads. That is important, because due to collaboration we can make more impact and reach more girls. Together we can make a difference for girls and women.” She concludes.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Relief for breast cancer survivors

…By Henry Owino

Cancer is now becoming a leading non-communicable disease in the world killing both young and old in the present generation. Seemingly unknown in the recent past, it is now popularly known to be affecting people of all cadres. According to Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) National Cancer Registry 2011 report there are different categories of cancers but breast cancer for women is leading with a prevalence rate of 35.5 per cent, followed by cervical cancer and stomach cancer at 24.6 percent and 9.5 per cent respectively.

Cancer

Many of the breast cancer survivors are totally unprepared for the side effects of breast cancer treatment and the tremendous blow it causes to their self-esteem. But now a new post-mastectomy bra and prosthesis for breast cancer for women survivors has been availed by Lifestyle Retailer, Deacons Kenya Limited through its Woolworths stores. This bra would be worn by women who suffered breast cancer and in the process lost either of their breasts. It is worn to hold tight the left breast and also cover-up the left space on the chest.

Image

The products are aimed at helping breast cancer survivors reclaim their image, self esteem and confidence, which they lost during the disease recovery. Speaking at an event in Nairobi for cancer survivors, Muchiri Wahome Chief Executive Officer, Deacons Kenya, noted that most women are not prepared with the side effects of cancer. He said prostheses are most commonly used after a mastectomy. Muchiri however, observed that skin that has recently undergone surgery and radiation therapy is extremely sensitive. He therefore, stated Deacons Kenya Limited recommends self-adhesive breast forms only after follow-up treatment. “We have had a number of enquiries from customers in the market to purchase a mastectomy bra and prosthesis and we needed to respond to this need. The provision of these products also helps us further our corporate social responsibility (CSR) health pillar on breast health awareness,” Muchiri explained. These products will be available at all Wool-

worths stores in Nairobi located at Yaya Centre, Sarit Centre, Village Market, Westgate shopping mall, Galleria Mall, the Junction as well as the stores in Mombasa located at the city mall in Nyali. “The products we have ordered are basic bras, performance bras for sports as well as the prosthesis and we will be on a programme where they will be replenished upon sell through,” he added.

Profit

However, to ensure that the product is affordable and accessible to customers who have undergone mastectomy, Deacons revealed that they shall offer the product at no profit, in order to ensure the product is available to cancer patients. Muchiri added they do so for survivors to regain self-esteem, as they struggle to find fashionable recovery products and style solutions. On the sizes and color, Muchiri said that the selection of color and sizes have been informed by the past sales. “We also used part of the information from amoena on the products that they sell most in their markets Some of the cancer fighters champions led by Dorothy Nyongo keenly observing post mastectomy bra across the globe. Colours available for women for breast cancer survivors. sale will be black and white. These are colours that are ideal for most comShe encouraged the women that early de- cancer. It took me with surprise but encourplexions and are versatile to wear untection of cancer could save their lives before it aged by the doctors to start treatment immediderneath most outfits,” Muchiri stated. However, Muchiri said based on the de- spread in the body, making it difficult to man- ately as it had not spread much,” she explained. However, Kariuki thought of other forms of mand the stores receive from various parts of age. The researcher urged women to be brave the country, they will continue to evaluate the and take up the challenge of being screened as treatments including traditional herbs. With the help of the family, relatives and friends, she went late as the previous day. availability of the product in other locations. through modern hospital treatment. She is cauOver the past six years, Deacons has been tioning anybody suffering from any form of canrunning the Woolworths bra campaign aimed Mary Kariuki is a cancer survivor for the cer to avoid using concoction or herbs but adat sensitizing women on wearing the correct size of bra by having a professional perform last twelve years since the time she was detect- here to modern treatment by qualified doctors. ed and put on treatment admits that the disbra measurements on them. In the last three years, this campaign frees ease is not pocket friendly apart from the pain The breast cancer survivor said cancer has clinical breast exams at Woolworth’s stores that come with it. Kariuki said she developed breast cancer no boundaries in term of age, sex, race, region through partnership with various hospitals. This initiative is targeted at women and men at the age of 35 and now she is 60 years old but it affects everybody across the globe. She meaning she has won the cancer battle and to- encouraged women to have frequent cancer from all walks of life at free service offer. screening to avoid late detection. Monica Matiri a communication special- day she is a crusader for fight against cancer. She recalled that it forced her family to or“Cancer is not a death sentence as many ist with the Ipsop Synovate research firm says at least 95 per cent of women have not been ganise fundraisings and even sold some house- perceive. The only problem with cancer is that hold items just to raise money for treatment. it very expensive in terms of treatment, very screened for cancer. “I remember when my breast developed a painful at chemotherapy treatment and the She called for all women to go for screening three times in a year as this help to detect lump, a friend told me to go for pap smear test good news is that psychological self treatment which I went for and diagnosed with breast helps in faster healing,” Kariuki says. whether one has cancer or not.

Period

Global

Health care services wanting as the country transits to counties

…By Faith Muiruri

ccess to quality and affordable healthcare services in the country remains a big challenge despite being anchored in the Constitution as a basic human right. The health sector still receives a paltry eight percent from the government’s GDP which is way below the Abuja declaration, in which African Governments commit to allocate 15 percent. Worst still, most of the allocation is channeled towards the payment of salaries, hence the poor services and frequent shortages of drugs and equipment in public hospitals. The Constitution of Kenya 2010 explicitly recognizes and addresses the right to health as a specific individual right, making it enforceable in a court of law in the same way as civil and political rights.

Health

The Constitution (article 43) provides that every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to healthcare services, including reproductive health care Article 53 similarly states that every child has the right to basic nutri-

tion, shelter and healthcare. However, Dr Wambani Sidika of the Kenya Medical Women Association (KMWA) says the right to health as a moral, legal, and constitutional right raises many complex issues including those of coverage, accessibility, cost, accountability, and quality of health care. She says that the situation is likely to worsen as the country adopts a devolved system of governance.

Resources

Dr Wambani cites low funding as a major obstacle to the provision of quality health care and the development of health systems resulting in duplication of effort. “Medical products and technologies are poorly regulated due to competing interests in the field and institutional weaknesses in the sector. Furthermore, the financing for medical products and technologies remains low despite the critical role they play in overall health service delivery,” she explains. Dr Wambani notes that households remain the largest contributors of health financing at 35.9percent, followed by the government and donors, who contribute approximately 30percent each. Further, the National Hospital In-

surance Fund (NHIF) is mired in controversy and thus there are no tangible measures to cushion the vulnerable in the society so that they have access to medical treatment and service when they need it. She says that the government must thus explore the possibilities of employing affirmative action as the country transits to counties with limited access to health care. Speaking at the Kenya Medical Women Association (KMWA) scientific symposium, Dr Wambani underscored the need to merge the ministries of Medical services and Public Health to help harmonize service delivery. “The Ministry should not be a service provider but rather a regulator of Healthcare and provide linkages with other key government ministries,” she urges.

Policy

She calls for the development of a Health Policy in line with the devolved healthcare services. “This Policy should address key issues like training of health professionals, pro curement of drugs and health consumables, County level governance, referral system, health information and data management,” she adds. This, she said would leave room

for the creation of a Health service commission to regulate the entire health sector and create a quality healthcare service for all Kenyans. She at the same time calls for an audit of all healthcare facilities, health personnel and functional equipment before the country transits to counties. “This evidence based data can be utilized in the implementation of the desired health structure,” he noted. She says that the leadership and management skills mix is still patchy, particularly at the sub-national levels adding that some levels of the health sector have only partially adopted partnership processes, which implies that some key partners are not appropriately engaged in health service delivery.

Shortage

She points out that the ratio of health personnel to the population is still inadequate with the number standing at only 14 physicians for every 100,000 people. Dr Henry Kioko, a physician at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) says that the shortage is pronounced at all levels. He says that at KNH, the ratio stands at one nurse to about 20 patients against the WHO recommendations of 1: 6. Doctors at the facility are over-

stretched with the ration standing at 1 Doctor to 200 plus patients. He says that most hospitals in the country do not have critical care units (CCU) and are highly dependent on lab, Renal units, Radiology facilities.

Sector

He blames the scenario to the low levels of funding to the sector despite the fact that 70 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and can hardly afford to pay their own bills. Dr Kioko says that the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) coverage remains at low of 20 percent while other insurance companies cover a mere 10 percent. He says that counties must be facilitated to set up critical care units to help decongest referral hospitals and increase access. Dr Kioko said the Government must invest in training of specialized staff to help care for patients with acute illness or injuries which can in most cases result in death or a permanent disability. He says unless there is political goodwill, the level of funding is likely to remain the same as we go to counties and so will health facilities be understaffed and ill equipped.

Issue Number 33 • December 2012

Stigma, fear stalks fistula survivors

…By Maurice Alal

n the remote village of Kanyamfwa, Rachuonyo North District of Homa Bay County lives Jacqueline Moraa (not her real name). Her face wrinkled not with age but because of anxiety and worry, she looks gravely distressed. Moraa has been suffering in silence; not an idea of what to do because her husband divorced her. This happened all because she cannot control the passing of urine. The stretch from her body is too much for anybody to bear. This explains why she is alone since apparently nobody even her own children – wants to sit next to her. “I am one woman in agony. My husband can’t eat in my house let alone sleep there, even my own children simply because I can’t control urine, it comes out without my knowledge,” Moraa says, her face twitching in distress. “The day I gave birth to my last child my life changed. My husband simply walked out into the arms of another woman, and has only been making technical appearances,” she says.

Stigma

Moraa is one of the many women who suffer from vaginal fistula; a disease that subjects women to high levels of stigma. According to Dr. Aggrey Akula, gynaecologist at a Kisumu hospital, virginal is abnormal connection of the urinary bladder to the lower part of the vagina. “The main course of this is obstructed labour, for first time delivery adding that a normal labour should last between 12 to 18 hours but when it goes beyond that, the head of the baby presses on the urinary bladder then the blood simply is interfered with, hence a hole is formed,” he says. This means that it is a great disadvantage to those women who give birth at home because the wives do not have proper facilities which would help them identify complications of that nature. It has been taken to be the distress of shame – which no one wants to talk about. The victims would hide under their napkins and in some cases even never venture out of their houses. Thus many women would suffer from fistula without knowing. In addition to complications arising from fistula, they often have a profound effect on the patient’s emotional well – being just like Moraa, many have faced a lot of discrimination as a result of their conditions.

Myths

Some communities who still believe in myth’s claim that women who pass urine without control might have cheated on their husbands therefore they are a shame to the community. Some women have even faced punishment from their villages

and now live in isolation. A victim of fistula experiences frequent leakage of urine which in most cases is embarrassing, making one feel so uneasy. The smell that comes from one’s body is not welcoming therefore many people would not dare sit next to them or even draw close to them. These women are always afraid to travel because they fear they would spoil the seats of the vehicle. They are therefore forced to board private taxi which is very expensive and most of them are unable to afford. “In public places people isolate us. We cannot freely go church, public meetings, social places or even meet with family members because we are bound to be the object of gossip and ridicule,” Moraa says.

Agony

According to Moraa, sometimes they have to stay awake the whole night fearing that they might wet their beds. One may even be tempted into taking very little fluid out of the same concerns. Scientific research shows that obstetric injuries are the most common cause of vaginal fistulas. Such injuries include tear in the perineum that extend to the bowel or an infection or tear of an episiotomy – a surgical incision to enlarge the perineum during vaginal delivery. Fistula arising from child birth may also involve injury to your anal sphincter, the rings of muscle at the end of rectum that help you hold in stool. Medics attribute the second common cause of fistula to a type of inflammatory bowel disease which the lining of a digestive tract becomes inflamed. Prior survey in your lower pelvic region, such as removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), in rare cases can lead to development of a fistula. Expert also say a cancerous tumour in a rectum, cervix, vagina, uterus or anal canal can lead to development of a vaginal fistula.

Therapy

Radiation therapy for cancers in these areas also put victims at a risk of developing a fistula. Fistula caused by radiation usually forms within two years following the treatment. Before the fistula forms, one may experience pain in their anus or rectum, bloody diarrhea, or bright red blood in the stool. Dr. Kennedy Onyango, a gynecologist at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu, notes that vaginal fistula is formed in different ways. According to him, a vaginal fistula that opens into the urinary truck is called a vesico vaginal fistula. This is an abnormal fistula track extending to the bladder and the vaginal that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault. The one that opens into the rectum is called recto vaginal fistula. “If the opening between the rectum and vagina is wide it will allow

Jacqueline Moraa is a fistula survivor. She has been rejected by her husband and children. She is among many women who suffer from the condition and face a lot of discrimination from the community around them. Picture: Maurice Alal

both flatulence and faeces to escape through the vagina, leading to faecal incontinence, “ Onyango explains. In Kenya is estimated, that some 3,000 new cases of obstetric fistula occur annually. Experts deduce this to mean that one of two fistulas occurs per 1,000 deliveries. As the referral hospital, the facility is especially well positioned to expand availability of fistula repair services while improving quality of fistula treatment among health among health providers. To support the development of this important role, the direct relief and the Fistula Foundation committed financial and medical resources to expand treatment to 180 women in 2010 to 2011. The Fistula repair programme at the facility employs Direct Relief ’s GIS technology expertise to study the patterns of obstetric distribution the region. Visualization of this information is used by the hospital and the other stakeholders dedicated to fistula repair and prevention to make more decision on outreach campaigns.

Infrastructure

Many women have raised concern over long distances between their home and health facilities, they therefore urge the government to put up more facilities to keep off fistula and give effective ante natal care to pregnant mothers. In Nyanza, many expectant mothers avoid this antenatal care because of long distance to various health facilities. Such women prefer to go to midwives who apparently are within their reach and are less expensive. By seeking proper antenatal care women such as these could be avoiding putting themselves in the danger

of having fistula in the feature. Bonareri Moturi never thought that she would undergo a caesarean section operation when she conceived in 2007. Having discovered that she had an O negative blood group while the husband Songoro Moturi’s type is AB, the couple started visiting a gynaecologist together when the pregnancy was 12 weeks. “I was aware that I will be subjected to regular examination throughout my pregnancy and with my supportive husband we sought in advance services of a gynaecologist, “she recalls.

Signs

“All went well but by the 35th week my obstetrician advised me to go for a scan after severally complaining of severe pain in my right ribs,” she remembers. She was in for a big scare “The ultra – sound scan revealed that my baby’s bottom was resting on my birth canal. I was told I needed surgery,” she says. “I used to tell him that my ribs were aching a lot at the beginning of the second trimester but he dismissed the complaint saying it was normal. I think he could have done something to reverse the baby’s position,” she recollects. For Bonareri, given her O – negative blood condition made doctors feel that she risked over bleeding. A C- section operation was the only option. Luckily for her, it went on well. She recovered very without difficulties but conceived again when the baby was only five months! Unlike the first pregnancy, this warned the couple that she risked over – bleeding. A caesarian operation was however successful and she delivered a bouncing baby. According to gynaecologist Dr. Enoch Ondari, women with pro-

longed labour, placenta previa, breech pregnancy position and bad obstetric history are advised to go for elective caesarean for their safety and that their unborn babies. “If the placenta grows in the lowest part of the uterus and covers the cervix then a caesarean operation in mandatory,” the medic says. There are also cases whereby the position of the foetus is not head down (bridge position) making vaginal delivery a risk.

Action

Ondari notes that mothers with hypertensive cases are usually booked in the ward at least two weeks to their expected date of delivery for observation. If the foetus weighs more than 4 Kg or the mother is expecting multiple births, a caesarean section is recommended. Bleeding can be managed and the life of the mother saved if she had undergone a caesarean because doctors closely examine the uterus before stitching making it the best method as it assures the safety of the mother and the baby,” said Ondari. The doctor observes that after a caesarean delivery, mothers are discharged after three days unless they experience complications and advised on their diet and hygiene. “We make them aware that excess bleeding is not a good sign and that it should be reported immediately because it might suggest a defect of the uterus. They are supposed to visit the hospital after two weeks for a review,” he said. Ondari said that unlike those days where surgical stitches were removed after some days, absorbable stitches are commonly used in both private and public hospitals a move that has lessened post caesarean stress.

Executive Director: Rosemary Okello Editorial Director: Arthur Okwemba Managing Editor: Jane Godia

The Kenyan Woman is a publication of African Woman and Child Feature Service E-mail: info@awcfs.org www.awcfs.org

Sub-Editors:

Duncan Mboyah and Faith Muiruri

Contributors:

Odhiambo Orlale, Henry Owino, Ben Oroko,Jonathan Namunai, Joseph Mukubwa, Abisai Amugune, Munene Maina, Ray Wilkins, Hilda Atika, Yusuf Amin, Said Mmanga, Boniface Mulu, Noor Shija, James Wanjiku, Maureen Odunga, Carolyne Oyugi and Maurice Alal

Design & layout: Noel Lumbama (Noel Creative Media Ltd)

This paper is produced with support from HIVOS