Kenyan Woman Issue 038

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

1

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Senate at a crossroads

Lack of women voting rights undermines affirmative action …By Faith Muiruri

A

EDITORIAL

Constitutional provision that blocks nominated senators from voting has exposed structural flaws in the supreme law which if left unresolved, may undermine the affirmative action clause.

Article 123 of the Constitution is generating substantive heat in the Senate that could crest into a Constitutional referendum to amend the controversial clause.

Article 123 (4) of the Constitution states that each county shall have one vote to be cast on behalf of the county by the head of the county delegation who in this case is the elected senator.

In his absence, the head of the delegation must assign another person to vote on his behalf.

The same principle has been replicated in Article 68 of the standing orders which equally assigns each county one vote. All these provisions vests voting powers to the elected representative.

Although Article 123 of the Constitution seeks to give counties equal voting rights, it weakens the affirmative action clause which informed nominations to the Senate.

Apart from the 47 members each elected by the registered voters in the counties, Article 98 (b) of the Constitution provides for the nomination of 16 women, two youth representatives and two people with disabilities. The youth and the persons living with disabilities must be man and woman for each category.

The most intriguing part is the fact that the roles of the nominees in the Senate has been limited to bringing and contributing to motions before the floor of the House but they cannot vote.

Now women senators want the Constitution amended and the stand-

T

Prof Margaret Kamar addresses women senators during a meeting convened by USAID Kenya to explore both challenges and opportunities in the senate as the country moves towards realizing national development goals. The Constitution blocks nominated senators from casting their votes. ing orders repealed to enhance their participation in the Senate.

According to Majority Whip, Senator Beatrice Elachi, there is need to amend the Constitution to allow nominated senators to vote.

Similar sentiments are shared by

Senator Martha Wangari who says that the long term and most comprehensive solution will be to do a Constitutional referendum to accord all senators equal voting rights.

“We need to amend the constitution to allow everyone to vote and remove

“We need to amend the constitution to allow everyone to vote and remove the one county, one vote bracket. This will give nominated senators powers to effectively participate in the legislative process and do away with getting “flower girls” to the Senate,”  Martha Wangari

PICTURE: KENYAN WOMAN CORRESPONDENT

the one county, one vote bracket. This will give nominated senators powers to effectively participate in the legislative process and do away with getting “flower girls” to the Senate,” Wangari explained during an interview with the Kenyan Woman.

She noted that the other option would be to relax the standing orders to expand the mandate of nominated senators and allow them to vote on issues that do not place any County at a vantage point over the others.

“We should only be exempted from voting on matters that could lead to skewed allocation of resources as this could disadvantage counties with limited representation in the Senate,” explained Wangari.

She cited a motion introduced in the House seeking to establish a university and polytechnic in every county.

“The Speaker ruled that the motion affects all the Counties. My question is, if there is no county being given undue advantage, why would the Speaker rank it as a county motion and exclude all of us?” Wangari posed.

She said that nominated senators should be allowed to vote for such motions because each county regardless of the number of votes will benefit from one public university.

Article 123 (2) of the Constitution provides that when the Senate is to vote on any matter other than a Bill, the Continues on page 4

New dawn as women take up key positions

hanks to the provision in Kenya’s new Constitution that requires all presidential nominees to the Cabinet and Principal Secretaries to be vetted by the parliament, Kenyans now know that the country has qualified and very experienced women who can hold management and decision making positions.

We congratulate the six professional women leaders who were nominated by the President and successfully survived the rigorous vetting process by legislators to the position of Cabinet secretaries.

Indeed, Kenyans can heave a sigh of relief now that the time for lobbying

for Cabinet Secretaries and Principle Secretaries jobs in the Government is over after the lucky ones have been sworn-in and taken up their responsibilities.

The impressive resumes of the candidates confirmed that women were not fighting for Affirmative Action as a favour but as a right because they are qualified and have a wealth of local and international experience.

Vetting It was interesting to note that none of their CVs was questioned during the vetting process by their supporters or critics. They stood tall and confidently said they were ready to take up the

challenge like their 16 male colleagues.

The six are now holding dockets previously reserved for men only in the past 50 years of the country’s independence. They are: Charity Ngilu (Lands), Raychelle Omamo (Defence), Anne Waiguru (Devolution); Amina Abdallah (Foreign Affairs); Judi Wakhungu (Environment) and Phyllis Kandie (East African Community).

The choice of six is in line with the one third Affirmative Action rule which states that all public appointments ensure that no gender occupy more than two thirds of positions to be filled at one time.

The controversial issue was addressed by the Supreme Court on the

eve of the March 4 General Election, the first under the new Constitution.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and his team ruled that the constitutional issue would be implemented gradually and not at once as earlier anticipated.

Dockets The President appointed seven women as Principal Secretaries out of the total 27 that are holding powerful dockets, in contrast to the past when they were given junior ministries to manage.

They are Defence (Monica Juma); Agriculture (Sicily Kariuki); Lands (Mariamu el Maawy), Coordination (Josephta Mukobe) and Planning

(Mwanamaka Mabruki). Others are Livestock (Khadijah Kasachom) and Collette Suda who is in charge of Science and Technology.

As professionals they do not have the baggage of political sycophancy and allegiance so they must deliver to the expectation of the people of Kenya since their performance is expected to influence further appointments of fellow women in senior positions of leadership.

As the Chinese saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. These distinguished technocrats must ensure they start it well and end it well when their tour of duty is reviewed in the next five years.

2

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Not yet uhuru for women in Kwale County …By Shaka Mpemba

W

ith the just concluded General Election, it became clear that women suffered losses as only a few were elected into office. While they had hopes of being nominated into national and county assemblies, this has not been the case.

It has also become apparent that in most counties, women are still not being allocated their rightful share of positions within the county governments.

“Women are taken for granted by male leaders and this should stop,” says Fatuma Masito who was an aspirant for the Kwale Women Representative seat and lost.

Voice Masito might be one voice but there are several more outside that have dissenting voices though they will never be heard.

Right from elections to the county government formations women have been given a raw deal by the authorities.

Masito notes that in Kwale County all the 20 wards were taken by men during the elections hence giving an impression that the additional 13 seats will be reserved for female gender and special interest groups.

“Unfortunately up to now the matter is still in court and no one knows whether the nominations will follow the laid down rules,” noted Masito.

Seats The scenario in Kwale has also seen men taking all the plum seats like the Speaker, Deputy Speaker as well as majority and minority leaders. They have also taken all the leadership positions in county assembly committees.

“It is a crisis but we will curb it by having more women in the executive committee,” Salim Mvurya, Kwale County Governor had promised.

It did not take long and the time for appointment came and surprisingly out of the ten slots there were only two

…By David N. Njaaga

P

Fatuma Achani (right) Deputy Governor Kwale County being introduced to her constituents during a homecoming party held recently. Women in Kwale County are worried at the slow pace at which the Affirmative Action is being implemented.

PICTURE: SHAKA MPEMBA

women.

It was still time for changing goalposts as this time round Mvurya said he will consider women when forming the County service board but at the same time cautioned that affirmative action will not come once but progressively according to the Supreme Court ruling.

However, the women were lucky after one appointee Nicholas Zani failed to go beyond vetting for lack of a degree and though he was not replaced permanently there is a stand-in-executive member who is a woman. Fatuma Achani is also the county’s Deputy Governor.

“It has been difficult to get a woman with proper papers to fill up these posts,” Achani said during one of the county education forums.

As the County service board will be in charge of the entire County there is also a County assembly service board inside the assembly.

The County assembly service board consists of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, leaders of majority and minority and one co-opted member.

The vetting board appointed two

people — a woman and a man — even though it was only one position to fill.

Aisha Mwachidigo was appointed alongside another man but proponents were of the idea of having a woman candidate appointed.

“Thirty people applied and out of these nine were women and one came the best,” said Sammy Ruwa, Kwale County Speaker.

He noted that the Transition Authority had recommended a female representative but it could not be advertised like that.

Names The name, however, passed and the next task was the County service board names that has seven names and out of these two are women — Victoria Tumaini as secretary and Fatuma Tabwara as a member. However the names are yet to be approved.

It is worth noting that whereas there are efforts to have women fill vacant positions, the community in the past gave girls’ education a back seat and this has affected their ability to get into leadership positions.

Cultural practices including re-

ligion have all along been blamed as the leading cause for this problem.

Many girls were being married off and are still being forced into marriage at a young age in order to give room for boys to pursue their ambitions.

Those who were picked though have good certificates that can propel them to higher positions in the Country.

An example is Safina Kwekwe who heads the Department of Industry, Investment and Trade at the County Assembly. She holds a Master of Science in International Trade Policy and Trade Law, with over ten years’ experience in management and leadership as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly based in Arusha.

Her colleague Joanne Nduku, who heads Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries holds a Masters in Animal Studies from University of Queensland in Australia. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Dairy Production and Milk Processing. She has worked for more than ten years in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Various forms of violence active in Narok County

…By Valine Moraa

C

ases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriages and wife battering are still rampant in Narok County.

Such violence against women and girls in the Maasai community are linked to cultural practices that are yet to be abandoned.

“It is true that there is increased violence against women experienced in the Maasai community and majority of them are culturally related,” noted George Sayagie, a participant in a Media Roundtable meeting held

by African Woman and Child during a Peace Initiative Kenya activity in Narok County.

The Media Roundtable was held to discuss the role of journalists in addressing violence and promoting peace.

According to participants present, the Maasai culture allows a man to beat his wife thoroughly for no reason or for the flimsiest mistakes like allowing rain to drip into the manyatta. It is also allowed for other men besides her husband to beat her up.

According to Lucia Ateka, chair-

Conflict undermines gender equity in Africa

person Maendeleo ya Wanawake Narok North and a nominated member of the County Assembly, FGM is still being practiced in the community and it not only targets young girls but also married women who have not undergone the rite of passage.

“Such married women opt to go for circumcision for fear of being excommunicated. There are also reported instances where women who are giving birth are circumcised in the process without their consent,” Ateka noted.

Age She said that once a young girl has been circumcised, she is considered a woman and is therefore married off at a tender age.

Discussions from the meetings also revealed that women and children from this community are treated at the same level and that they (women) are not viewed as adults.

“The Maasai culture does not recognise the presence of a woman since from time immemorial, when a guest comes to visit a Maasai home when the man is not around, the guest will be told that no one is at home other than the children yet the woman is around,

“said Annah Naramat, also a member of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Narok North.

Naramat noted that women from the community who have borne children have no relations whatsoever with them as all children belong to the husbands.

“Education of girls is also an issue. Most girls start school at the same time with boys but end up dropping out early. This is because of gender responsibilities and the fact that they not encouraged or enlightened when they fail examinations,” noted Alice Munge, a Maasai girl-child education activist.

This is to blame for the few Maasai women who have been educated and capable of competitively engaging in leadership positions.

Economic violence is also another form of violence that women from the South Rift region experience.

“No land in Narok has been distributed to women. All lands are owned by men and they end up selling family land without consulting their wives and children,” said Naramat.

Other types of GBV on the rise experienced by women and girls from

Narok County are child labour and wife inheritance.

According to Soipan Tuya, Woman Representative in the National Assembly for Narok County, such injustices against women can be stopped through enforcement of capacity trainings, civic education and awareness creations among other capacity building opportunities in the fight against such acts.

She acknowledged that indeed efforts have been put in place by a few members of the community like the church to end such violations but more still needs to be done.

Marriage “I will ensure that such issues are addressed with the help of non-governmental organisations and the people of the county at large,” said Tuya. She added: “The issues of FGM and early marriage for example, are twin sisters. If we succeed to do away with one, we will be killing two birds with one stone.”

Discussions from the meeting challenged the media to stop associating Narok County with only political stories and instead, focus more on developmental, gender and land issues.

overty and insecurity continue to undermine gender equity in Africa.

According to a report compiled by Peace Women Organisation in 2011, women and children comprise 80 per cent of the world’s persons displaced by war and conflict while civilians account for 80 per cent of casualties of small arms.

More often than not, women and children are more likely to endure torture than men, hence the need to uphold development strategies as a way of sustaining women in Africa.

The report notes that in Africa women are still dying from effects of gender based violence with figures currently standing at between 40-70 per cent.

The report further indicates that in the last ten years, two million children have been killed in conflict situation, six million have been injured and 12 million others displaced.

Leadership According to Professor Amina Mama, Director of Women and Gender Studies, University of California, abolishing militarism in Africa will be key to evaluating the continent’s good leadership in as far as protection of women’s rights is concerned.

“Women have been termed as Africa’s next emerging market and failure to consider their plight will deny the continent economic growth,” she notes.

Mama says that social education is vital in promoting gender equity with institutions of higher learning playing a major role in changing the perceptions of society.

“To circumvent gender based violence, African leaders must embrace equitable sharing of positions of power including in the military,” explains Mam, adding that she is putting up a model advocating for equitable distribution of resources.

She notes that women have found themselves on the receiving end with no one to salvage them from rape and misplacement.

She cites Burundi in the 1990s and later in 2000 where women suffered the highest brunt of conflict.

In Rwanda approximately half a million women were raped during the 1994 genocide, while in Sierra Leone, 64,000 women were subjected to rape by people who were said to be combatants from 1991 to 2001.

In Kenya, scores of women were displaced and others killed during the 20072008 post-election violence.

Mary Wanja who was caught up in the violence recalls that three officers came in to her house at around 8:00 pm and demanded that her husband leaves the house immediately.

She explains that her husband was shot dead at close range after he defied their orders.

“They then ordered me to strip naked or they would kill me.” She had no option but to oblige. They raped and infected her with HIV. Twenty-nine year old Wanja says that though she got infected there is a brighter life ahead. “I don’t blame the police or the military officers for their action, I blame those overseeing the officers’ duties,” she says.

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

3

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Former South African Deputy President gets to the helm of UN Women growth” the main legacy that the former teacher seeks to leave behind is a “paradigm shift, so that we all begin to see that contributing to the development of South Africa makes business sense”.

What makes her optimistic, MlamboNgcuka says is that “there is far more of an opportunity in South Africa to address these issues satisfactorily than in other developing countries. We are not a highly indebted country. We are an emerging country that has growth and financial stability that are the envy of many other countries. We have a comprehensive understanding of the short comings and where they are. Can you imagine if ten years from now we as a country had united to eradicate poverty and address basic needs? I think we have the capacity to do that. We just need to harness the goodwill of all concerned.”

…By Kenyan Woman Correspondent

F

ormer deputy president of South Africa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, has been named the new head of UN Women.

Mlambo-Ngcuka takes over as executive director from Michelle Bachelet, who resigned in March to run for another term as president of Chile.

Announcing the decision at the UN, a spokesman for Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon said: “Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka brings to this position a wealth of experience in advocating for women’s issues with a combination of strategic leadership, consensus building and hands-on management experience.”

The UN Women was established in July 2010 by a unanimous vote of the General Assembly to oversee all of the world body’s programmes aimed at promoting women’s rights. It is tasked with helping Member States implement standards, providing technical and financial support to countries which request it, and forging partnerships with civil society. She is expected to take up her position at UN Women in August.

Mlambo-Ngcuka became an MP in South Africa in 1994, becoming deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry two years later, and then Energy Minister in 1999.

Task

Elevated In 2005, she became the first woman to hold the position of deputy president, the highest office occupied by a woman in South Africa. She remained in the post until 2008.

Before her political career, Mlambo-Ngcuka was the first president of the Natal Organisation of Women, an affiliate of the United Democratic Front. The aim of the organisation, founded in 1983, is to increase women’s empowerment and promote women’s rights. In 2008, she established the Umlambo Foundation to support schools in poor areas of South Africa through mentoring and coaching for teachers.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree in social science and education from the National University of Lesotho in 1980, as well as a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Cape Town in 2003, which dealt with educational planning and policy.

From 1981 to 1983 she taught in KwaZuluNatal, after which she moved to Geneva to work with the World Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) from 1984 to 1989, as the organisation's Youth Director, where she advocated for job creation for young people within the UN system and promoted development education in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

During this time she also founded and directed the Young Women's International Programme.

From 1987 to 1989 she was director of TEAM, a developmental Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in Cape Town, as well as being involved with squatter women and African independent churches to promote economic self-reliance and running skills training programmes. From 1990 to 1992 she was director of World University Services, a funding agency, as well as being involved in the management of funds donated to development organisations by Swedish and Swiss government development agencies. She started and managed her own management consulting company, Phumelela Services, during 1993 and 1994.

In 1994 Mrs Mlambo-Ngcuka became a Member of Parliament, chairing the Public Service Portfolio Committee. She was deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) from 1996 until 1999, during which time she also was a founding member of the Guguletu Community Development Corporation. From 1997 she served as member of the national executive committee of the African National Congress (ANC), as well as being the provincial vice-

“There are things you rebel against because they stereotype you, but you do them anyway because they are too important to leave to chance. It’s like as a mother I don’t want to be stereotyped as the one who looks after the babies, but that does not mean I am going to neglect the babies!”  Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

chairperson of the ANC Western Cape.

Mlambo-Ngcuka is known for her hard work and yet caring nature.

Legacy When President Thabo Mbeki appointed her to be his deputy in June 2005 following the dismissal of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Mlambo-Ngcuka stepped into the inner lion’s den of South African politics.

Mbeki had staked his last term on delivery.

The African Renaissance president had also made it clear that advancing the rights of women is one of the legacies he wants to leave behind. It is said Mbeki knew that she is a level headed person, someone who would stay cool, remain above the fray, and keep her eye on the ball.

A homely and easy going style, good relations with a broad cross section of South African society including the Congress of South African Trade Unions, big business, youth and women’s groups as well as developing a politically neutral image are fast winning the most

powerful woman in South Africa respect and admiration.

Sure, there have been painful moments for Mlambo-Ngcuka like being booed by Zuma supporters at recent rallies. “Obviously these are the kinds of things one would prefer not to have to face, but they come with the terrain. They are inconveniences; not the kind of thing that gets me down,” she says. “How many people,” she adds, with her infectious sense of humour, “can add to their CV that they have been booed at rallies?

You don’t get that if you are irrelevant; if you are a footnote of history.”

So what is it that really gets to her? “The thing that causes me sleepless nights is whether we will be able to deliver on the scale we need to; to be able to do the things we need to in the second economy fast enough. My real nightmare is will we meet the (six per cent) growth target that we have set and will we get broad-based buy in?”

As vice-president she was the person charged by the President with driving “shared economic

In addition to the tasks that came with her job description, Mlambo-Ngcuka voluntarily added another one to her portfolio: taking forward the Beijing Platform for Action for the advancement of women “because for me it’s not a soft issue; it’s absolutely integral to what we are trying to achieve”.

Probably this is what Ban Ki-Moon saw in her to find her fit for heading the UN Women.

Those who have worked closely with MlamboNgcuka confirm that she does not regard the empowerment of women as a mere frill.

In South Africa Mlambo-Ngcuka never compromised on the ten percent stake for women.

When it came to women’s issues she was always willing to take the risk.

“It’s a risk I am willing to take,” she would say. “There are things you rebel against because they stereotype you, but you do them anyway because they are too important to leave to chance. It’s like as a mother I don’t want to be stereotyped as the one who looks after the babies, but that does not mean I am going to neglect the babies!”

Women’s golf is an example of how gender features in Mlambo-Ngcuka’s vision and strategy. While confessing that she’s going to have to practise putting a few balls before the Women’s Golf Tournament at a time that she had accepted to be president.

“It will boost tourism and growth and it is a sport that is reaching out to the historically disadvantaged in South Africa,” she said.

Of course women’s golf is also challenging stereotypes about women in sport: “The men don’t know what has hit them; women are playing golf, cricket and even rugby! What I like is that many men are also getting in touch with their more feminine side.”

Skills Balancing the traditionally feminine skills of care and masculine skills of control is a strong feature of Mlambo-Ngcuka’s management style.

Among the terms that are used to describe her by staff and close associates are hard working; clever; a fast learner; straightforward; results driven; demanding high performance; decisive and not afraid to call people to order.

But she is also described as caring; genuinely interested in the people around her no matter what their rank; inclusive; a good listener and empowering.

People skills, Mlambo-Ngcuka says, are crucial in her current job where “it is not so much about implementing, but coordinating. What is much more important in my job now is the ability to work with other people and ensure that we have buy-in.”

Extra information from an article by Colleen Lowe Morna is executive director of Gender Links.

4

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Litmus test as more women ascend to power

…By Faith Muiruri

T

he realization of the two thirds gender rule is quickly shaping into a litmus test for women in decision making and other national governance structures.

Their performance is what will spell political realities come 2017 and may kill the two thirds gender rule.

For the first time in the history of this country, the number of women representation has gone a notch higher, thanks to the affirmative action clause in the Constitution.

At the National Assembly, the number of women has received a major boost following the creation of 47 additional seats for women picked from counties under the new Constitution and the nomination of four others.

Another 16 women have been nominated to the Senate based on political party strength in accordance with the Constitution.

At the County level, women account for 668 County representatives after an additional 584 extra women were nominated to fill the gender gap after elections.

The shortfall has seen unprecedented increase in county seats from 1450 seats to 2,222 assembly members in line with Article 177(1) of the Constitution which stipulates that each county assembly must ensure that no more than two-thirds of the assembly is of the same gender.

Implications Further, six women have been appointed as cabinet secretaries and eight others as principle secretaries in line with the recommended threshold of 30 per cent under the new Constitution.

“All this has implications on the 2015 deadline set by the Supreme Court ruling on gender rule. In meeting the deadline, we are going to be making a case for increasing the number of women in the Senate and National Assembly. That case will be informed by the performance of those who have taken up seats in the two houses,” explained Daisy Amdany, chairperson Women’s Political Alliance.

Amdany noted that the increase would be in the form of seats created specifically for women but if they fail to perform, “we are going to face an uphill task in convincing the National Assembly to give us a mechanism to increase women’s participation in politics”.

The burning question will be “Why do we need to increase the number? We have had more women in power but they performed dismally,” she added.

“Instead of having a mechanism, the political debate may culminate with a referendum in 2017 to remove the two thirds provisions from the constitution,” Amdany cautioned during a meeting convened by the National Women Steering Committee at Maanzoni Lodge.

Resistance According to Amdany, there has been widespread marginalization of women in the political sphere and a general failure to recognise the role of women in bringing about sustainable national development.

“It is incumbent for women in positions of leadership to lead from the front in defending Deputy Speaker Dr Joyce Laboso (seated right) reads a joint communique prepared by women leaders women’s rights at the policy and governance levels attending a conference on advancing the gender agenda. The number of women in leadership positions has including fighting for the realisation of the con- slightly increased, thanks to the affirmative action clause in the Constitution. PICTURE: KANIARU NDIRANGU stitutional provisions on the two thirds rule,” she Article 81 (b) of the Constitution and in relation set their own agenda to consolidate their gains in advised.

The two thirds gender rule is meant to increase to the National Assembly and Senate by August 27, the Constitution. Currently there are no structures and the women’s voice is fragmented women’s participation in politics and based on this 2015.

“We now have to count on the ‘goodwill’ of The 16 women who were elected to Parliament rule at least 117 MPs should be female now that legislators to secure affirmative action to ensure include: Peris Tobiko, Alice Ng’ang’a, Grace Kipmen are still dominant. choim, Rachael Nyamai, Millie Odhiambo, Mary While the Constitution gives women the op- gender parity,” explained Amdany.

Parliament can either enact the legislation Emaase, Regina Ndambuki, Jessica Kuko, Esther portunity and guarantee for effective representation through affirmative action with express contemplated in Article 27(8) or amend the Con- Gathogo, Mary Wambui, Naomi Shaban, Joyce Laboso, Esther Murugi, Cecily Mbarire, Alice Waprovisions of gender parity, it fails to provide a stitution as proposed earlier to have top up seats.

According to Deborah Okumu, Executive Di- home and Hellen Sambili. mechanism to facilitate the implementation of the The number of women MPs elected in the principle in Articles 97 and 98 namely National rector Caucus for Women Leadership, the National Women Steering Committee is exploring diplo- eleventh Parliament has remained at 16, as in the Assembly and Senate.

An interpretation of Article 81 (b) of the Con- macy as one way of pushing for the enactment of previous Parliament despite the increased number stitution in the Supreme Court deferred the real- the clause. She said that the committee will enlist of constituencies from 210 to 290 countrywide. In the 2007 elections, 16 women were elected to Parization of the principle to 2015. The Court largely the team of eminent persons in the process. liament while another six were nominated. One relied on Article 100 on the promotion of represenApproach step more into the past indicated that the ninth tation of marginalized groups.

She said they will also approach women par- Parliament had far less representation at 18.

All laws under Article 100 must, however, be However, in the current Parliament, the 47 passed by 2015 as stipulated in the fifth schedule liamentarians for support towards the enactment women representatives from all counties and four of the Constitution. Article 100 can therefore form of necessary legislations.

Okumu called on women leaders to build a nominated women have helped to increase the the basis of promoting measures that may include education and providing incentives such as using common voice around the women’s agenda and number of women in Parliament.

If it were not for affirmative action on gender the Political Parties Fund to reward parties that get ensure that they amply benefit from the expanded as enshrined in the Constitution, Kenya would be space. women elected.

“We need to refocus our energies towards re- faring badly indeed at the five per cent mark.

Although the Supreme Court ruling offers a Although this seems to be the highest number clear roadmap as to when the country should at- alising the two thirds gender rule as disjointed eftain the gender equity principle, Parliament must forts are likely to jeopardise women’s gains in the of women ever in the Parliament, it falls short of the recommended threshold of 30 per cent under enact the necessary legislation to give effect to the Constitution,” she noted.

Okumu underscored the need for women to the new Constitution. one third and two thirds gender principle, under

Senate at a crossroads: Lack of women voting rights undermines affirmative action Continues from page 1

Speaker shall rule on whether the matter affects or does not affect counties.

Wangari plans to petition the Speaker to relax the rules to allow nominated senators to vote on matters that do not give any county an edge over the others.

“It is the prerogative of the Speaker to set parameters on matters that affect counties and thus he is the only one who can be able to expand the space of nominated senators in the House,” she noted.

According to Wangari, the current scenario where all motions are ranked equal only serve to disenfranchise nominated senators and derail their capacity to effectively participate in the senate.

“When you vie for an elective position, you have the comfort of your own vote and you know that even if your mother or husband does not vote for you, you can vote for yourself,” she added.

“What was the rationale of nominating us in the Senate if we cannot effectively represent the constituency that nominated us to Parliament?” challenged Wangari. She observed: “We have been reduced to tellers and monitoring how elected senators cast their votes.”

Wangari reiterated that deliberate attempts must be made to give the affirmative action clause meaning by

empowering women to exercise their legislative function in the Senate.

“This is the only clear way of ensuring that more women are elected in the Senate in 2017, young people are encouraged to vie and the same case applies to people with disabilities,” she explained.

She noted that affirmative action is meant to be correctional and to level the ground until it is fair enough for whatever group of people.

“The tide may change and we are likely to be doing affirmative action for the men in the next few elections because we may end up with more women in the Senate,” explained Wangari.

At the same time, she noted that the role of women senators should not be taken lightly as they represent over 50 per cent of Kenya’s population. The young people who have been nominated to the Senate also represent a unique population which accounts for 70 per cent of the population while the two disabled persons represent 1.5 million people.

Wangari said that all senators including the nominated ones come from counties and have wide mandate derived from their respective constituencies and thus excluding them from voting is unrealistic.

“The excluded group is the most progressive population in the Senate and their exclusion from voting is

driven by a selfish and ulterior motive that is hell bent on maintaining the status quo. If we cannot be allowed to vote on behalf of the Constituency that brought us to the Senate, then our nomination beats logic,” she avered.

She pointed out that women’s contribution to the Senate should not be curtailed just because none of them was elected to the House during the 2013 General Election.

“Currently, there is no such provision and, therefore, motions are deferred for lack of quorum. I cannot stand to say anything about Nakuru County unless the head of delegation has approved my participation through a letter. If I move a motion today, I am not going to vote for that motion. I feel bitter when bills affecting women and children are shoved aside for lack of quorum,” she noted.

At the moment Chelule observed, some motions have been derailed for lack of quorum. She cited the motion

on drugs and substance abuse.

In most cases nominated senators are in the House but cannot vote without a written approval by the head of delegation.

“Important motions have failed to see the light of the day for lack of quorum. This is ironical because nominated senators are in the House but their presence does not count when it comes to voting.

Women senators must compel the Speaker to rule on matters that affect the counties,” said Chelule.

She singled out the motion that sought to establish universities in every county where Senator Mohammed Kuti introduced an amendment to include middle level colleges.

“As a procedure, you cannot vote for the motion, you begin by voting for the amendment to include middle level colleges,” she explained.

“I was in the House together with other nominated senators but the mo-

There is need to amend the Constitution to allow nominated senators to vote.

Beatrice Elachi,

tion failed to go through because of only one vote that was required to meet the required threshold.”

This was a very important motion and it will take time before it can be reintroduced again before the floor of the house.

“I was nominated through the affirmative action and it hurts me if I cannot influence decisions adopted in the senate. It is humiliating and undermines our legislative function to push gender issues in the senate,” she observed.

Senator Dr Agnes Zani noted that her plan to introduce a Mining bill has been derailed by lack of quorum.

This is the first motion by a woman and seeks to ensure that communities benefit from 20 per cent of the proceeds generated from the mining activities.

However, according Prof Margaret Kamar, a former cabinet minister, women senators should take advantage of the fact that they chair the committee on delegated legislation to bring in more motions in the Senate. There were speaking at a consultative meeting organised

by Peace Initiative Kenya, a project under International Rescue Committee and supported by the USAID. This was a brainstorming session to provide insights that will enrich the strategy and factor in the gender equity perspectives on future investments in Kenya.

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

5

Young women call for enactment of equalisation bills …By Joseph Mukubwa

A

bout 40 young women leaders from 47 counties want the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action bills be introduced in Parliament.

The young women are seeking the implementation of the affirmative action through a bill that is due to be presented for debate.

“We have noted with concern that the bills that were to be introduced to promote inclusiveness such as the Equal Opportunity Bill and the Affirmative Action Bill are yet to be introduced in Parliament,” said Susan Mwongera, Chief Executive Office Youth Agenda.

Mwongera noted that the bills ought to have been introduced in parliament so that they start operational.

Youth She called for the inclusion of young women in political and social processes in line with the principal of inclusiveness and attainment of Vision 2030 since they have previously been locked out under the affirmative action category.

The women leaders complained at the delay in gazetting the County As-

sembly nominees that is yet to be done three months after elections.

The young women leaders and County Representatives complained that the other elected County members of the assembly are still pursuing matters with the County Assembly making them lag behind.

The leaders who met during a twoday conference dubbed ‘Purple Triumph Conference’ said the Judiciary, Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and other organisations concerned should speed up the gazzettement.

“We don’t want to be compared to flower girls in the assembly hence the need for immediate gazettement,” reiterated Mwongera.

According to Salima Uled from Nyeri, the IEBC did their work and it is only fair that the names are gazetted.

“We feel that justice delayed is justice denied and so the court should rule on the matter immediately to indicate to us when we are supposed to start working, “ said Uled during the conference whose theme was ‘Engaging with Devolution for Development’.

Nancy Kibaba from Bungoma County said the six billion shillings allocated to the Youth Fund should benefit the recipients and not to be tied to other

Young women leaders sharing during a two day workshop at a Hotel in Nyeri town recently. The youths want the inclusion of women in politics and all the social process. PICTURE: KENYAN WOMAN development matters.

The leaders under the umbrella of Young Women County Legislators said it was unfortunate that the County Assembly committees have since been elected without the gender parity being taken into consideration. They wondered whether there would ever be the two third majority representatives especially in counties like Nyeri and Isiolo where not a single female County Representative was elected.

The young leaders also noted with concern that the youth have not been appointed to key decision making positions and especially those that directly affect them adding that it is not clear who is heading the Youth Department and the Youth Enterprise

Development Fund.

They also expressed their worry that the County Governors are setting aside huge amounts of money for lavish expenditure at the expense of basic development needs.

Condemn “We condemn the acts strongly because we believe that those are priorities which have been placed upside down. The County Governments should prioritize services like good roads, provision of clean water and equipping learning institutions among other necessities,” said Betty Jebet from Bungoma County.

The young women promised to form a County Assembly Association

once they enter the assembly such as the one of Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) which they said has been very successful.

They reiterated their commitment as young women leaders to pursue a leadership agenda and to ensure that opportunities are created and facilitated to ensure that young women, youth and marginalized communities have a greater say in the economic development of the Counties.

They called for the reduction of costs for young women who aspire for political offices noting that the existing payments for nominations pose a challenge to them and called for the introduction of Campaign Finance Bill to help save aspirants.

Zuleikha Juma Hassan

How passion, KSh500 and an exercise book made a politician … By Esther Akello

W

alking down the street one would be forgiven for not recognizing Zuleikha Juma Hassan.

“Not so many people recognise me as a Member of Parliament and this helps me to interact with people without any prejudice,” she observes.

At 33 years, Hassan joins the impressive list of nominated women legislators under the new Constitution and who many would agree that in a span of five years have made great strides in promoting youth movement in her party, the Orange Democratic Movement, (ODM) since its inception in 2005.

Hassan prides herself as a woman of firsts.

Her tenure as ODM National Deputy Secretary Youth Affairs begun in 2008, when the party created 16 new positions in recognition of the two thirds gender representation rule.

Under her watch, she has been able to incorporate the youth league into the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the highest party organ hence being able to articulate youth issues namely funding and training on political issues and policies.

Zero “By the time our committee was formed we had no office, no job description and zero funding.

However, we partnered with organisations that trained us and in turn we also train youth on policies and politics and finally we could be seen and our voices heard,” Hassan explains.

However, to get to where she is now, her path was guided by faith and sheer will power despite their being some rogue party members that proved to be a challenge.

In fact involvement in politics for the University of Cape Town Social Science graduate was never her dream, it was her father’s.

Back in 2006 just days back into the country from South Africa and passionate about development issues, she approached a local professor in the Coast region for employment but to no avail.

However, he challenged her to do a survey of the problems faced by Muslim women at the Coast and do something about it.

“It was not what I expected. I was not employed so of course I didn’t have any money to finance the project,” Hassan explains.

Armed with an exercise book, KSh500 token that her dad would give her on a weekly basis and a huge dollop of optimism as her only research tools, she walked door to door in her town. It is from this effort that the Taqwa (Arabic for piety) Women’s Group was born.

Rights Taqwa would cater for Muslim women who found themselves otherwise marginalized in other women’s groups and educate them on their rights under Islam. The group went on to be such a success with a membership of 2,000 within a span of six months that its chairperson bolted out in fear leaving Hassan to take over the reins.

It is at this point that her father approached her to consider a career in politics as a Member of Parliament in the 2007 elections.

“I still thought politics was not for me. I even evaded the women‘s group meetings until the elections were over to avoid answering questions concerning politics,” says Hassan.

In 2008 her father was back. At this time ODM was holding its grassroots elections and by then, she had begun understanding the link between politics, power and development.

“I reluctantly decided to run for a sub-location seat but warned the Taqwa women not to vote for me. However on voting day all the women came,” she says.

However, when campaigning at the constituency level she was approached by some candidates

to step down on the condition that her father was running as well. She was given the option that it was either her or her father.

However, even after stepping down, her father did not get a slot as agreed. All seemed lost until the committee, pressed for female representation by locals bowed to pressure and brought her on board.

However, as fate would have it, just weeks later, she was to be thrust into national politics when ODM created the new 16 positions for women and she was elected unopposed as the National Deputy Secretary, Youth Affairs. It was only years later she found out that the application fee of KSh3,200 she paid had been inflated by KSh30,000.

This was to be the first of many challenges.

Hassan is the beneficiary of the two thirds rule.

Within her tenure she would be the subject of re- Her party ODM created positions to accommodate jected proposals while striving to remain relevant youths and women hence the start of her journey to and balancing her family life. She would even politics. PICTURE: ESTHER AKELLO face an ouster in her nomination as Member of Parliament in the just concluded 2013 elections after her name was deleted from the proposed list to get my agenda for the youth noticed,” she says. of nominees to be presented to the Independent In fact, she believes it is her determination Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to compromise and her religion’s (Islam) and replaced by someone else. strict call to high morals that have catapulted However, as the saying goes politics is a dirty her to where she is despite finding herself always game but it is a level she refuses to stoop to. being fought.

“I believe that our lives have been planned by Pregnancy God. You just have to be faithful. A lot of women “In politics it’s the little things that people use see limitations instead of possibilities. When my to render you powerless. I travelled and conduct- name was deleted from the nominations list I was ed trainings countrywide throughout my entire crestfallen and withdrew from the party,” says pregnancy. After giving birth I was back to work Hassan. She adds: “However, I later found out that 24 days in spite of the 40 days as instructed by my different party members went to the party leader Swahili culture,” notes Hassan. behind my back to protest. That is how I was reEven then she would carry along her two instated. You don’t have to compromise, have month old daughter on her trips along with her faith, work hard and prove yourself,” she notes. nanny so she could continue breastfeeding! DurShe hopes that in her new mandates she will ing all this time her husband remained supportive. be able to champion the implementation of the “My husband, a religious teacher is not rich, 2009 National Youth Council Act and push for and the money I was making then was not all that stricter following of existing legislation on sexbut I had to make it work and it’s the price I paid ual abuse.

6

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Male propaganda derailed women’s chances of winning seats …By Ben Oroko

T

he promulgation of the Constitution in 2010 whose intention was to make elective political positions for women more accessible, faces hurdles from cultural stereotyping of women leaders.

Most affected are women whose communities continue to cling to outdated cultural norms which discriminate against those competing for elective political leadership with men.

Though women constitute slightly over 50 per cent of Kenya’s total population, their numeric strength is yet to translate to the constitutional gender threshold in political representation and decision making in the country’s institutional structures.

It is an obvious fact that women in the country since independence have been treated as voters, political party members and cheer leaders for male political candidates to the detriment of the women’s interests in political representation and decision making processes in the country.

In the last General Election women aspirants performed dismally courtesy of the cultural obstacles and misinterpretation of the affirmative action which male political competitors exploited to incite the unsuspecting electorate against women candidates in their favour.

The male politicians capitalized on the electorate’s insufficient civic education to mislead the public that women candidates had no business competing with men for any elective political seat, since they had already been allocated the

County Women Representative’s seat.

The political propaganda against women candidates who were seeking National and County Assembly seats perfectly worked out in favour of male politicians, winning majority of the seats especially at County Assembly level to the disadvantage of women candidates.

The development saw Kisii County Assembly secure only one seat for women candidate, with 44 out of 45 county assembly members in the County being male candidates, contrary to the constitutional provision for gender balance.

The scenario prompted all political parties’ allocated nomination slots to the County Assembly to ensure all the slots went to women to achieve the gender parity threshold provided for in the Constitution.

The Constitution demands that, not more than two thirds of members of the County Assembly can be of the same gender and special seats be created to meet the quota in the event that the condition is not met in the elections.

Voters According to the gender top-up list from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kisii County had been allocated 19 slots for women nominees to the County Assembly based on political party strength from the General Election.

However, the Gusii County Assembly Speaker Samwel Kerosi Ondieki confirmed that the nominees have not been sworn in as the assembly continues transacting its business awaiting their

clearance to be sworn in and join their colleagues in transacting the assembly’s business.

“The office of the Kisii County Assembly Speaker is waiting for official communication from relevant authorities in relation to the nominees, before they are sworn in to join their colleagues and embark on transacting the Assembly’s business,” says Ondieki.

Ondieki challenges the Gusii community members to shun cultural stereotypes that undermine women’s ability to seek elective political positions against their male counterparts.

“It is a constitutional right for women to seek such positions in elections since the law spells it out clearly,” he notes.

The Speaker observed that Article 81(b) of the constitution states “that not more than twothirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender”.

Bills Counties that went against this provision have to shoulder a heavy burden of wage bills to pay salaries and allowances for excess nomination of members to the assemblies to achieve the constitutional gender quota.

Catherine Manzi Kasyoka, is the only female ward Representative in the Kisii County Assembly, who won the Machoge-Bassi Ward Representative’s seat on a Kenya Social Congress (KSC) against seven male candidates in defiance of the community’s cultural norms which hardly recognise women’s leadership potential.

Kasyoka recalls how it was difficulty to fight

Mrs Catherine Maanzi Kasyoka, the only woman in the Kisii County Assembly. PICTURE: BEN OROKO off political propaganda from her male competitors who she claims poisoned the electorate’s mind that she was an outsider and if they elected her she will go back to her ancestral home in Mwingi where she was born.

“Despite all these challenges, God was on my side and saw me through a very competitive campaign which I managed by resorting to issue-based campaigns that wooed majority of the electorate to my side,” explains Kasyoka.

Kasyoka is not alone, there were several of her peers who were contesting various political positions in the election but did not make it due to stereotyping of women leaders by the community who still believe that women lack ability to represent and lead them in elective political positions that require a lot of decision making.

Women lobby for a Directorate to manage their affairs …By Faith Muiruri

T

he raging debate on whether or not to push for the creation of a gender Ministry has culminated with the clamour for a Directorate of Women Affairs under the office of the President.

The National Women Steering Committee has unanimously agreed to pursue a proposal by President Uhuru Kenyatta during his inaugural speech to create the Directorate under him.

According to Deborah Okumu, Executive Director Caucus for Women Leadership, women are unanimous about the creation of a Directorate of Women Affairs as this will help to consolidate women’s gains within the new Constitution.

Similar sentiments were echoed

by Grace Mbugua, Executive Director Women Empowerment Link (WEL) who felt that a Directorate of Women Affairs will ensure that women enjoy their full rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

However, even as the debate takes an interesting turn, questions abound as to who will champion gender issues in the Cabinet.

Limitations The bone of contention is that the assignment of functions is premised on an erroneous notion that gender issues can be mainstreamed in all the 18 ministries.

Critics argue that the Government has failed to take cognisance of the fact that any plans to mainstream gender within existing ministries will relegate gender issues to the periphery as nobody can be held responsible if targets

are not met.

“I am afraid this is what is going to happen as a task for all of us is sometimes a task for none of us and flies against performance contracting and result based management,” noted Priscilla Nyokabi, Nyeri County Women Representative.

She reiterated that ministries are spending units. “The budget is shared and allocated in ministries. A stand alone ministry attracts funding. It is not clear how without a ministry the hefty funds required for gender and youth matters will be housed,” she challenged.

“For instance, in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning budget estimates there is a KSh5 billion allocation for gender and social development.

There does not seem to be much of gender and youth matters in the Ministry of Interior which is understandable given the country’s many issues with police and security. The option left appears to be the establishment of a stand-alone Gender Ministry to handle its budget,” Nyokabi opined.

The mandate of the National Gender and Equality Commission on the other hand is limited to advising, recommending, investigating and overseeing gender functions but does not extend to implementing answers and solutions to issues from day to day.

According to Article 59 of the Constitution, commissions do not have an implementation mandate. The implementation role is largely directed at the Executive and Cabinet.

Nyokabi noted that as a country, there is need to benchmark best practices in both developing and developed nations combined with international obligations.

Countries in the region which have retained Gender ministries include Lesotho, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

“The Ministry of Gender that we have had was the first in the country, so if we are to judge it as not having performed, we need to be realistic on the age and level of funding compared to more established ministries of education, health and agriculture,” she argued adding that a new ministry should not be expected to run as fast especially if also under-funded and under-capacitated.

Bills She said that with enough funding, the Gender, Youth and Child Development Ministry with support from the National Commission on Gender and Equality would then be able to work well.

Another sticky issue points to the linkage between the Legislature and the Executive arms of the Government.

There are many laws around these areas that need to be introduced before Parliament for enactment after adoption by Cabinet.

However, at the moment it is not clear as to who would take charge of such bills, policies and legislation.

Nyokabi cited the Family Protection Bill/Domestic Violence Bill, The Marriage Bill and The Matrimonial Property Bill. Further there is the all important bill required under Article 27 to fulfil the two thirds gender rule as advised by the Supreme Court with deadline of 2015.

“In the absence of a Cabinet Secretary in charge of gender and youth matters, it is not clear who will take lead in preparation of these bills,” she reiter-

ated. Further when the laws are passed it is not clear who will take charge of implementation. There are also critical youth legislations that need to be introduced key among them the legal framework to introduce and operationalize the 30 per cent allocation quota of government tenders and contracts to be awarded to the youth.

Other areas of concern include the revision of punitive criminal law in Kenya that targets some offences around livelihood like touting.

The Attorney General also facilitates line ministries in preparation of bills on their areas of focus. Expecting the Attorney General to introduce these bills will lead to frustrations as we still have some pending prioritized laws by the Constitution in Schedule Five. In any case the Attorney General needs to handle his part of reforms key among them quick incorporation of companies. Rwanda gets it done in one day, Kenya takes over 14 days. Further, it is assumed the Attorney General’s office will take over the Justice Ministry.

What is happening at the national level is bound to be replicated at the county level. Once the Ministry of Gender was omitted at the national level, many counties followed suit and omitted it. This is a gross mistake especially in counties with age old traditions like female genital mutilation and early girl marriages coupled with low levels of education.

The last part on child development is added as it complements the youth programmes and covers both boy and girl child. The boy child needs to be protected, especially because of drug and alcohol abuse as is the case in many counties. Children’s issues are not just education thus need to have

another department that looks at the best interests of the child in wholesome. In the event that such a ministry is not created there will be need to ensure that a facilitative mechanism is adopted to ensure proper attention is paid for delivery of promises to the women and youth.

The second best option is the appointment of a Principal Secretary under Article 55 in charge of a State Department on Youth and Gender under the Ministry of Interior where the President is indeed the substantive minister and the buck will stop with him/her.

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has said changing the Gender Ministry into a department will undermine issues touching on women.

Prevention measures According to Cecil Mbarire who chairs KEWOPA, legal and policy frameworks must be implemented, prevention measures developed, services and responses established to inform policies and programmes strengthened so as to create an environment for women and girls to exercise their rights and live free of violence.

She said KEWOPA will lobby for the enactment of the family bills including Family Protection Bill, Marriage Bill, Domestic Violence Bill and Matrimonial Property Bill in its first year of the 11th Parliament.

“A strategic partnership with political groups, civil society and other public and private organisations and institutions should be forged to address the root causes of violence against women,” Mbarire said.

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

7

Women entrepreneurs in Gusii set for better days …By Ben Oroko

W

omen entrepreneurs in the Gusii region are now set for brighter financial prospects.

This follows plans by the Gusii Mwalimu Savings and Credit Organisation (Sacco) to roll out a microcredit loan product targeting women entrepreneurs in the informal sector.

The development follows a resolution by the Sacco members to review its by-laws and incorporate members without voting rights into the Society’s business activities.

The initiative will bring on board low income entrepreneurs, majority of who are women to join the Society as members and benefit from the Sacco’s new micro-credit loans product.

This comes amidst fast changing financial services market economy, prompting SACCO managements across the country to embrace product and service diversification strategies alongside their traditional product lines to remain relevant in the dynamic financial market.

According to Charles Omwansa, Gusii Sacco’s Chief Executive Officer, the new product was introduced last year and the management was sensitizing members on the new product through annual members’ education meetings, before it is officially rolled out.

Omwansa noted that after sensitization of the members, the next target will be organized groups in the informal sector, whose members will also be educated on the new product and how they will exploit its presence to improve on their business activities.

Services He observed that the management swiftly moved to venture into micro-credit loans product, following increasing demand for micro-credit services from low income earners and entrepreneurs who cannot manage maintenance of high minimum deposit balances required to open a savings account with a commercial bank.

He clarified that during the Sacco members’ education meetings last year, it was resolved that the Society broadens its common bond to diversify and attract more savings through introduction of micro-credit loans product targeting low income earners.

“Sacco members and the management resolved to introduce the new product to increase productivity and efficiency,” said Omwansa.

He added: “During last year’s education meetings, members and the management resolved to aim at the Society’s operational and financial sustainability, while serving the members’ needs.” Market-led product develop-

ment, leading to high quality diversified products were some of the underlying strengths and potentials that members wanted the Sacco management to exploit and attract more clients, with emphasis on savings products.

Omwansa noted that the new product is set to benefit members in organized groups, with a savings account with the Sacco before qualifying microcredit loans on group collateral basis.

He clarified that applicants for the micro-credit loans will be expected to be members of organised groups through which they will be guaranteed by fellow members to enhance the security and recovery of the funds given out as micro-credit. "Applicants for the Sacco’s micro-credit loans will be required to be members of organised groups, register as Sacco members, have an account and save their money with the society, for them to qualify for microcredit loans given on group collateral, where members guarantee one of their own,” stated Omwansa.

Loans The amended by-laws have been forwarded to the Commissioner of Co-operatives for approval and registration, before the society rolls out micro-credit loans product.

Gusii Mwalimu’s initiative will also complement Wakenya Pamoja Sacco Society, which is one of the financial intermediaries identified by the Government to disburse Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) loans to women entrepreneurs in Gusii region.

Investigations by the KenyanWoman indicated that very few women from the Gusii had applied for the Women Enterprise Fund loans disbursed by the Sacco.

Majority of the women from the Gusii community still lack information on the existence of the Women Enterprise Fund loans which are disbursed to women entrepreneurs through the Sacco and other microfinance intermediaries in the region.

According to Gideon Oyuma, a manager with the Sacco, most women are unwilling to take the loans for fear that failure to service such loans can lead to auction of family land or property by the indebted institutions.

“Despite Women Enterprise Fund loans making positive changes to women’s lives across the country, it is sad that women from the Gusii community continue shunning the finances due to the influence of the conservative patriarchal society and outdated customary laws which frustrate women’s efforts to liberate themselves from economic enslavement,” observed Oyuma.

He expressed concern that though his Sacco has in the past disbursed KSh10million Women Enterprise

A woman entrepreneur sorting her vegetables in kisii town. She is among most women who are working hard so as to access microcredit loan products targeting women entrepreneurs in the informal sector. PICTURE/BEN OROKO Fund loans to 2,000 women entrepreneurs in the region, majority are yet to recognise the existence and importance of the advances in empowering themselves economically.

Oyuma disclosed that the Sacco disburses Women Enterprise Fund loans to women entrepreneurs in the region at eight per cent interest rate per annum.

“Women entrepreneurs are given loans on graduation basis and one qualifies for another phase of loan after clearing outstanding loan and an additional loan is based on the success of her funded business,” clarified Oyuma.

Ability He disclosed that the minimum requirement for any women entrepreneur to qualify for a Women Enterprise Fund loan from the Sacco, include ability to raise 15 per cent cash collateral, one business person to guarantee her and must have an on-going business.

Oyuma encouraged women in the region to apply for the Women Enterprise Fund loans, instead of leaving

the funds lying idle in the Sacco’s accounts and yet the funds are meant to empower them economically.

Women in the informal sector who talked to KenyanWoman, positively welcomed the Fund describing it as a God-send opportunity to liberate them from the chains of economic enslavement by the lending institutions and commercial banks which deny women credits and loans for lack of collateral or guarantee, which is an eligibility requirement for one to qualify for a loan Julia Moraa, a small-scale trader in Kisii Central District welcomed the Government’s establishment of the Fund, saying it will liberate women from poverty and financial exclusion in the money economy.

Moraa lamented that conditions for securing loans from commercial banks, especially for women entrepreneurs who are not in any formal employment have been difficult as lending institutions demand for collateral which majority do not possess.

She blamed the situation on Gusii community’s conservative land in-

heritance and ownership customary laws and values which deny women access to bank credits and loans.

Barriers “Unlike commercial banks and other financial lending institutions where credit and loans are secured through collateral, the Government’s establishment of the Women Fund will facilitate women entrepreneurs in the informal sector to access loans easily without stringent conditions of collateral demanded by commercial banks and lending institutions,” observes Moraa.

Some of the critical challenges addressed by the Fund include cultural barriers that limit women’s ownership to assets demanded by lending financial institutions and commercial banks as collateral for loans.

The Fund which is a flagship project under the social pillar in the Vision 2030 Blue Print is part of the Government’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Number Three on women empowerment and gender equality.

8

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Gender based violence centre opens in Central Kenya

Slum women shun post abortion care services in public hospitals . . . Yet many continue to suffer health complications and even death

…By Joseph Mukubwa

V

ictims of gender based violence in Nyeri County have received reprieve following the establishment of a gender recovery centre within the town.

While the centre is not exclusive to male victims of GBV, the centre is expected to serve scores of men who are increasingly becoming victims of GBV. Situated at the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital, the centre was opened recently opened by Nyeri County Health Services executive Charles Githinji.

According to Githinji, this is a one-stop center that will provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial services to survivors of violence whether men or women while linking them to legal, social and justice sectors.

“I encourage men to report cases of gender violence and not to fear. Women should also report sexual violence which is on the increase. The county government will set aside a budget through the development vote so that such cases are handled properly,” he said.

The hospital’s Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Julius Macharia said this was the first in its kind to be opened in the county and will cater for survivors through counselling and treatment before pursuing their cases.

He said at least one case of gender violence is reported per day in the County and so such a centre will help mitigate the violence.

The centre was opened through partnership with Liverpool VCT, Care and Treatment (LVCT), through funding from Trocaire / Comic Relief.

This comes in the wake of reports that cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) pose a serious health and human rights problem in the county.

Every single day, a man, a woman, a boy or a girl is sexually abused resulting to physical and psycho-social consequences on the survivor.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008-2009, almost half of Kenyan women aged 15 - 49 have experienced either physical or sexual violence.

In Central Kenya, 34.1 percent and 19.5 percent of women have experienced physical and sexual violence respectively within the same period. Liverpool VCT care and treatment (LCVT) Post Rape Care / GBV program provides technical support to health care facilities across the country to provide comprehensive SGBV services using either integrated or one stop models.

Lillian Otiso, who is the Coordinator of Post Rape Care, said similar centres have been started at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nakuru and Jaramogi Odinga Hospital in Kisumu.

The group works together with the Ministry of Health, Police, Judiciary and other stakeholders in order to address the gender violence cases.

Liverpool VCT is an indigenous Kenyan non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation which is driving Kenya towards universal access to HIV testing and counselling, linking HIV testing to treatment, providing evidence for HIV policy reforms and service delivery developing capacities of indigenous organisations and building sustainable human resources for community HIV services.

She said the organisation gives special attention to those who are vulnerable to infection including survivors of sexual violence, persons living with disabilities, men who have sex with men, youth and sex workers.

…By Faith Muiruri

P

ain, desperation and anguish aptly capture the agony of women seeking post-abortion care services in public health facilities.

Majority of these women die while scores others lose their fertility owing to delays and late presentation in hospitals.

Annually, unsafe abortion accounts for 2,600 of maternal deaths in the country. Women in urban slums account for the rising number of maternal deaths registered in the country.

While abortion is still restricted under the laws of Kenya unless it is done to save the life of the mother or needed as an emergency treatment; post-abortion care is legal and offered by both public and private health facilities.

However, majority feel that access to post-abortion care has been hampered by inordinate delays, inadequate numbers of service providers and lack of skills to handle the situation.

“The situation has been aggravated by poor infrastructure, late presentations at health facility, late referrals by incapacitated facilities, lack of essential medical supplies and family planning commodities,” explains Dr Simon Mueke, senior Director of Medical Services.

Within Kibera and Mathare slums, the situation is appalling and women with incomplete abortions have been forced to seek care in clandestine environments where skilled personnel are not available. These facilities also do not offer contraceptives that would help in preventing an unwanted pregnancy.

Guidelines This is despite the fact that the Government through the Ministry of Health has released new standards and guidelines for reducing morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion.

Apart from emergency treatment, the guidelines demand that health facilities provide contraceptive counselling and services to prevent future unwanted pregnancies. In addition, health facilities have an obligation to manage sexually transmitted infections and provide other reproductive health services.

Further, the guidelines require that the Government provides social security to women with unintended pregnancies who are unable to support themselves in line with article 43 (3) of the Constitution.

“The state shall provide appropriate social security to persons who are unable to support themselves and their dependants. This applies to women and girls with unplanned or unintended pregnancies who may need to be provided with shelter and/ or other economic empowerment,” says the guidelines.

However, the situation on the ground is a far cry from the principles espoused in the guidelines. Investigations reveal that women who pres-

An arial view of Kibera slum. Many women continue to die in slum areas because they do not attend post abortion care even after risking their lives by being attended to by unqualified people. PICTURE: GEORGE NGESA ent complications from incomplete abortion in public health facilities are among the most neglected of reproductive health care patients.

“Most women with incomplete abortion are mistreated or simply not accepted in the hospitals. Treatment is denied to women who supposedly have had spontaneous abortions and are unable to pay the entire fee,” explains Emma Nafula, a community healthcare worker in Kibera.

“I was four months pregnant when I decided to procure an abortion at a backstreet clinic in Mathare slums. However, the process turned tragic and I begun bleeding profusely.

I sought help at the Kiambu District Hospital and was turned away despite my frail condition. I was told to go back to the backstreet clinic where I had procured the abortion,” recounts Esther Ruguru.

She did not have money to seek quality care and by the time she found help, she was pale and had lost so much blood.

Ruguru also contracted an infection which cost her fertility. “Besides the treatment offered to stop bleeding, the clinic did not pay any attention to other conditions such as genital damage which may occur during abortion,” she narrates of her woes in the hands of a quack who inflicted a wound that is still festering in her heart.

Rationale Rose Nyambura shares a similar experience. “I have had abortion four times in a span of four consecutive years. During the last attempt, I ruptured my uterus but at no time did I access post-abortion care from a public health facility,” she intones, her voice eerily weak with emotions.

The mother of three says that any time she sought post-abortion care it would be at private clinic.

Ann Wambui, a single mother opted for abortion because she did not want another baby. She went to a quack in Mathare slums who induced the abortion by introducing an object. Moments later, she started bleeding but did not want to visit a public health facility. She went back to

the quack who gave a concoction that helped to stop the bleeding.

However, a week later she started having a discharge with a foul smell but did not seek medical attention.

In 2011 she conceived again but had a miscarriage. At the hospital she was told that she cannot carry pregnancy to full term because the quack had ruptured her uterus.

These women’s testimonies are a clear indication that scores of women in the slum resolve problems resulting from unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion without consulting public-sector medical services.

Service Only a few women opt for care at public health facilities but still their story typifies pain and negligence.

Mildred Auma from Kibera slums recounts a gruelling experience that she would rather forget. A month ago, Auma who is a single mother of one induced an abortion using a traditional concoction brought to her by a friend.

Auma who was six months pregnant at the time, says the mixture almost killed her. She started bleeding a few moments after she took the concoction.

She was rescued by neighbours a few days later who managed to raise the KSh10,000 required for postabortion care services at the Kenyatta National Hospital which is the biggest referral health facility in the country.

“At the post-abortion care clinic, services are slow. Scores of women both with complications from unsafe abortion and miscarriages line up, their faces nothing but masks of pain,” she says adding that some have been seeking for treatment for days in vain.

She says that the clinic operates within a specified timeframe and women cue for long hours and days before they can access care.

In addition to the physical trauma, she says that women also bear a psychological burden that is seldom mentioned. Worse, the physical complications often lead to death.

Auma explains that post-abortion care is usually given in wards where family planning is not routinely offered. The approach to care is

usually strictly curative and does not address more subtle elements such as sexually transmitted diseases and repeated miscarriages.

The introduction of post-abortion care in the country in 1989 elicited a lot excitement with the understanding that it would break the cycle of repeat abortions and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Pregnancy termination at the hands of untrained and inexperienced providers and its resulting complications still remains the third leading cause of maternal mortality.

Treatment for the complications of clandestine abortion consumes the largest amount of reproductive health care resources outside of normal childbirth.

Mueke says that in 2012, about 130,000 women received post-abortion care services in health facilities in the country which translated to about KSh.312 million.

Nearly all of these complications and deaths could be prevented through more widespread and correct use of contraceptive methods, legalization of abortion, and provision of safe pregnancy termination services, and adequate care for complications of spontaneous or induced abortions in a hygienic setting by a qualified practitioner.

In an ideal situation, post-abortion care includes a range of services from emergency treatment for complications of spontaneous abortion and abortions performed under unsafe conditions, to contraceptive counselling and services to prevent future unwanted pregnancies and establishment of links between emergency care of post abortion complications and other reproductive health services.

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

9

Rise in caesarean deliveries stir fear among slum women As the number of women delivering through Caesarean continues to rise, women living in Nairobi’s slum areas are alarmed at the trend and this is driving them out of labour wards in droves, writes Joyce Chimbi

O

nly approximately 46 per cent of expectant mothers deliver in certified hospitals. A significant number of the remaining 60 per cent are to be found among poor women living in the slums or even the rural areas who prefer home deliveries.

“These figures could be much higher than 706 deaths because some of these deaths go unaccounted for,” says a nurse at Pumwani Maternity Hospital.

It is, therefore, evident that giving birth is still a matter of life and death for women across the country, and more so for those living in Nairobi’s slum areas.

Loss Unfortunately, the rampart deaths during child birth among women living in the slums have done little to encourage the others to deliver in certified hospitals. A fact that scores of women living in Kibera and Mathare slums did not refute.

“Although delivering under the care of a trained health attendant in a certified health facility can save the life of mother and baby, not many women living in the slums are coming to deliver in hospitals,” the nurse who requested anonymity explains.

While there are a myriad reasons why women living in the slums will not deliver in certified health facilities, the rising cases of women delivering through the Caesarean section has stirred fear among pregnant women.

Beside the prohibitive cost of Caesarean section for women living in the slum, complications arising from such operations and the prolonged period of recovery after surgery has led these women to shy away from hospital deliveries.

The figure of KSh12,000 may seem insignificant compared to at

least Sh150,000 that women pay in private hospitals for a Caesarean Section delivery. However, this amount of KSh12,000 is way out of reach for women living in the slums.

“We rely on causal labour where we are paid even KSh150 per day. Sometimes we go for many days without an opportunity to earn even a single cent,” says Nancy Njambi, from Kosovo, Mathare slums.

The women in the slums have many stories to tell regarding surgery at delivery. Dhahabu Stella, a mother of one living in Kosovo within the sprawling Mathare slums is still smarting from a delivery that she says should have been easy but has instead opened a Pandora’s box.

“I attended prenatal clinics faithfully. When labour set in I went to a City Council clinic in Ngara at 11 pm. They examined me and left without a word.

I struggled with labour pains the whole night unattended,” Stella recalls.

The pains continued into the following day and she was still unattended to until 4 pm when the nurses came and induced her.

“Again they left. It was just me and another young woman, both of us delivering for the first time. My phone went off and I had no way of communicating with my relatives,” Stella explains.

At some point, the young woman who was with her started saying that she could feel the baby coming.

Fear “I held her as she pushed. It was just the two of us. When the baby came out, the nurses arrived in time to cut the umbilical cord. This frightened me and I asked to be referred,” Stella explains.

Upon referral to a leading public hospital, Stella was rushed in for an operation. No reasons were given.

“I was asked to pay half of the cost of a Caesarean delivery in advance.

Luckily, I had the money. However, when the surgery ended, I noted a small gap in the wound that had been left open,” says Stella. She adds: “They did not sew me up completely. One of the

Kibera slum in Nairobi is one of the most populated part of Nairobi. However, the expected high number of pregnant women in this slum and others are keeping off government hospitals for fear of undergoing caesarean. Below, Dhahabu Stella believes that she was operated on yet she could manage normal delivery. nurses also noted this but assured me it was nothing.”

Stella says that a thread had also been left hanging out but at some point, it disappeared.

“I used to touch the thread since it was protruding. Then I started feeling it inside me, poking me. I went back to the hospital and the issue was resolved. It took months before I could heal totally though,” she says.

Millicent Atieno explains that unlike traditional birth attendants (TBAs), in public hospitals nurses “have a tendency of inserting their hands through the vagina in order to feel the baby every five minutes”.

“This is very painful. You tend to feel sore around the birth canal way before the delivery even begins. However, because of the hands being inserted so much some women are unable to relax in order to allow for easy vaginal delivery,” Atieno explains.

“These allegations are true. When a woman refuses to relax and seems to be giving the nurses a hard time, they will not struggle with her and will just recommend an operation,” explains a nurse from a major public hospital in Nairobi.

Indeed a significant number of women complained that more and more women were being operated on “not because there were serious complications but because the nurses simply have no time for these women,” says Atieno.

According to Jemima Andati, a traditional birth attendant in Kibera slums “these days you find so many trainees attending to pregnant women. They are very quick to recommend Caesarean deliveries”.

Andati notes that some of the reasons given do not make sense. She says: “You may have heard a nurse say that they will operate because the baby is seated in the uterus. There is no circumstance under which that is even possible.”

According to Andati, the moment a nurse is unable to see the head of the baby, they make claims that the baby is seated.

“Often what happens is that the baby’s head can go to the side but there are ways to turn the baby properly. I am certain nurses know that but have no time to do the proper thing,” she observes.

Women further complained that most City Council hospitals refuse to deliver the first and the fifth baby.

“They say that after the fifth baby a woman has no power to push. These are some of the reasons that lead to operations,” Andati notes.

“Of course there is also the issue of cost. A Caesarean is about KSh12,000 to KSh16,000 while up until now, normal delivery has been about KSh4,500 in public health facilities. Pregnant women have become a cash cow,” Andati reiterates.

She further notes that proper attention is not given to these women during the operation. “Most women will nurse these wounds for a very long time,” she says.

Terry Mwangi delivered in January through the Caesarean section but all is not well.

“A week after the operation, I noticed blood on my blouse and rushed to the hospital. I was told that the wound had ruptured and I had to be sewn again. I went into depression for a month,” she says.

According to Julia Njoki who lives in Mathare, women living in the slums cannot afford to be incapacitated.

“Most of us are both father and mother to our children. We are bread winners. After a normal delivery, we bounce back easily and can go back to our daily struggles to feed our families,” she says.

Women are less represented in newsrooms in the US …By Emily Guskin

L

ast week, San Francisco Bay television station KTVU broadcast fake names for the pilots of the Asiana Airline flight that crashed on July 6.

At the centre of controversy was an error that pointed to ethnic stereotyping, which led to the Asian American Journalists Association to assert that these kinds of mistakes “underscored the importance of newsroom diversity” at America’s media outlets.

A similar issue was raised after an analysis this week that found New York Times stories had quoted male sources three to four times more than their female counterparts.

The renewed attention to the composition of newsrooms comes in the wake of the American Society of

News Editors’ (ASNE) annual survey of workforce diversity, which showed that minorities and women are less represented in the print media newsrooms than in society at large. In recent years, progress on the diversity front has largely stalled.

ASNE has counted professional full-time newspaper journalists since it first released the census in 1978.

This year, 978 out of 1,382 daily print newspapers responded, representing 71 percent of all U.S. dailies. In addition to the continued reduction in the size of the daily newspaper workforce in 2012, some of the key findings in the ASNE report relate to diversity in the newsroom.

Overall, minority journalists accounted for 12 percent of the total newspaper newsroom workforce in 2012. That number changed little from 2011, but is down from a high of 14 percent in 2005. Non-whites make

up about 39 percent of the total U.S. population.

As a group, minorities in newsrooms are most highly represented in the fields of photography, art and videography at 16 percent, and least represented as supervisors (10 percent).

Smaller newspapers are less likely to employ minority journalists. The data reveal something of a large paper/small paper divide when it comes to employing minority journalists. In 2012, a little less than 20 percent of employees at newspapers with circulations larger than 250,000 were minorities—considerably higher than the industry average overall.

At the smallest daily papers in the census (those with circulations under 10,000), however, only about 6 percent of employees were minorities.

Women are often underrepre-

sented in newspaper newsrooms. In 2012, women made up less than half of most ethnic groups employed at newspapers: 47 percent of African Americans and multiracial staffers at newspapers were women, 40 percent of Hispanic journalists were female, as were 38 percent of Native American journalists.

White women were even less represented in newsrooms, accounting for 35 percent of all white newspaper employees. The only ethnic group in which women outnumbered men in the newsroom was Asian Americans, at 52 percent.

About one-third of newsroom managers are women. According to the census, 35 percent of newsroom supervisors are women, as are 40 percent of copy and layout editors or online producers, 38 percent of reporters and writers and 25 percent of photographers, artists and videog-

raphers.

These numbers have declined slightly in most categories since the data were first reported in 1998. The only category that has shown a slight increase is supervisors, which edged up from 34 percent to 35 percent since 1998.

In the past two decades, there has been little overall change in the percentage of minorities in the newsroom. In 1977, the first year of the ASNE census, minorities accounted for only 4 percent of newspaper newsroom workers.

By 1994, the percentage of minority journalists had nearly tripled to 11 percent. Eighteen years later, however, in 2012, that figure was only about one percentage point higher, at 12 percent.

Emily Guskin is a Research Analyst at the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism.

10

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Cases of girls at stripping joint in Kilifi irk leaders

…By Adam Juma

W

omen leaders in Kilifi County have called for the immediate closure of all strip clubs in the county for allegedly recruiting underage girls to entertain revellers in their night clubs.

Speaking to the press at the Kilifi County headquarters recently, the leaders said strip clubs encourage sex trade and have for a long time violated the rights of children by giving them access to the bars.

Led by Kilifi County women representative, Esha Jumwa Karisa, the women expressed concerns that stripping demeans the social status of women and called on the county government to put up measures

that would enable girls get decent employment.

Karisa noted that most of the strippers were under paid to entertain revellers who in turn pay a lot of money to the bar owner.

Entertain “We cannot sit and watch as our girls are being used to make profits at the expense of their reputation and social status,” said Karisa.

Her sentiments were echoed

by Kilifi County Senator Mshenga Mvita blamed the police for failing to crack the whip on night club and bar operators that use underage girls to woo customers.

The Senator noted that several clubs in Mtwapa on the boundary with Mombasa County have been

admitting young girls to work as strippers to entertain guests.

“These girls suffer mental torture as sometimes they meet people they know very well while on the job. They cannot fit well in the community because they always feel guilty,” she said.

The leaders expressed anger after nine girls were recently arrested in Mtwapa stripping at a bar and restaurant which has since been closed.

The girls were arrested, charged in court and fined for the offence.

A spot check on several clubs in Mtwapa revealed that the strippers earn about KSh3,000 every night with only KSh500 from the club owner and the rest is given out by the revellers who give the cash whenever

they are impressed.

“This is the only way for us to survive and we are not in this business to enjoy life but we want to make a living out of it,” said a stripper who spoke on anonymity.

Express The leaders called on all the district alcoholic regulatory committees to do an audit all the bars and night clubs that engage in the business and blacklist them.

Kilifi County Commissioner, Erastus Ekidor, noted that the concern by the leaders was genuine adding that the provincial administration would soon conduct a swoop to close all the clubs found admitting underage persons and engaging in stripping.

“We have our morals and we are not going to allow foreigners to come and insult our culture in the name of civilisation,” said Ekidor.

The provincial administration was also investigating some private villas in Mtwapa, Mnarani, Bofa and Watamu which are being used to shoot pornographic material featuring underage girls.

“We have received some complaints which we are looking into.

Some of the private villas being owned by foreigner are feared to be recording pornography with our young ones,” said Ekidor.

He noted that any foreigner who will be found engaging in such activities would be deported while his or her local accomplice would be arraigned in court.

Malawi: Child marriages perpetuate gender inequality …By Dyson Mthawanji

M

y mother forced me into early marriage. She did it so my husband could help her with salt and sugar. During the marriage, my husband frequently beat me up.

My mother always said I had to get used to that pain because that’s what marriage means,” recalls 15-year-old Lucy*.

Lucy’s husband not only abused her but also forced her into agricultural labour. “My husband forced me to do work on farms to raise money for the family. Every day I spent the whole day at the farm working,” she laments.

Lucy’s experience not only highlights the widespread cases of child marriage in Malawi but also the ongoing problems of child labour. These two practices are in some cases mutually reinforcing and disempower women and girls in similar ways, by denying children an education and creating a vicious cycle of inequality.

In Malawi 60 per cent of girls aged between 13 and 18 are married. The Mpherembe District in Mzimba has the highest number of child labour and child marriage cases. This prompted officials from the Zima Social Welfare Office to hold this year’s Day of African Child commemoration in the Mpherembe.

“We chose Mpherembe because the area registers high cases of child labour and abuse through early marriages. We want to eliminate all harmful practices once and for all,” explained Zindaba Lungu, a Social Welfare Officer.

Her sentiments are echoed by Joyce Mkandawire, Communications Advisor at Girls Empowerment Network- Malawi (GENET), who notes that there is a link between child marriage and child labour.

Orders “Girls who are in early marriages cannot make their own decisions so they listen to and do whatever the husband orders them to. They are forced to do work...and employers pay them little money on the basis that they are children,” explains Mkandawire.

Child labour and child marriage are practices prevalent across the Southern Africa Development Com-

munity (SADC) region and beyond.

Girls throughout the region remain vulnerable to harmful cultural attitudes and practices that leave them at risk of violence and sexual exploitation, with no say over their bodies and futures.

According to the latest International Labour Organisation’s global report, 36 per cent of all children aged between five and 14 years in southern and eastern Africa are involved in child labour, with most working in domestic and agricultural sectors. This is the highest proportion of children involved in child labour globally.

The report shows a decrease in girls involved in child labour but there is an increase in the number of boys.

Although boys are at a greater risk of hazardous forms of child labour, girls are most vulnerable to unpaid domestic labour and commercial sexual exploitation. These are forms of child labour that happen behind closed doors, making them less easy to monitor and regulate.

Link According to Doreen Gaura, Anti-Child Labour Programme Coordinator for Activists Networking Against the Exploitation of Children (ANEX), there is a great link between child marriages, child labour and child trafficking, especially in cases of forced marriages.

Gaura says that in the Eastern Cape in South Africa there is a practice called ukuthwala, where families are selling their daughters as young as 12-years-old to much older men.

These men remove the girls from their homes, often physically and sexually exploit them and force them to perform domestic work or labour outside the home.

“The reality of girl-child labourers is very reflective of the reality of women workers as they are more likely to be paid less or not paid at all.

Due to long existing harmful gender stereotypes in communities...girls are likely to fall into domestic work, usually in isolated households so they face a high risk of abuse, and generally limited access to educational opportunities,” explains Gaura.

In Malawi, non-governmental organisations are intensifying efforts to protect girls, with many focusing on sensitising families so parents do not

The girl child's enrolment in primary school is encouraging but reduces as they enter secondary school due to early marriages and child labour. PICTURE: KENYAN WOMAN CORRESPONDENT view the girl child as a commodity but instead prioritise her education.

GENET is working with chiefs in the Chiradzulu District. The Youth Net and Counselling Organisation (YONECO) has established seven resource centres where girls have access to information and support.

Malawi’s non-governmental organisations Gender Coordinating Network (NGOGCN) has a permanent Child Rights Committee. “We are working with communities to ensure that girls are not getting into early marriages and exposed to child labour. We want girls to be in school,” explains Emma Kaliya, NGOGCN Chairperson.

As we commemorate International Day Against Child Labour, we must remember that gender inequality perpetuates child marriage and child labour among girls. In turn, these practices worsen gender inequality by exploiting girls and robbing them of their future.

Code Malawi and other SADC states must pay due attention to the SADC Code of Conduct on Child Labour and align legislation on the age of marriage with other instruments such as the SADC Gender and Development Protocol and the United Nations Conven-

tion on the Rights of Children (UNCRC) which defines a child as anybody below the age of 18.

We will only achieve women’s emancipation and gender equality when societies no longer force girls into marriage and labour, but instead educate and economically empower girls over the rights they have on their bodies and futures.

Dyson Mthawanji is a third year Journalism student at Malawi Polytechnic, a constituent college of University of Malawi.

This article is part of the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service that

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

11

Free maternal delivery comes to force in Kenya

…By Carolyne Oyugi

W

ith effect from June 2013, all expectant mothers in Kenya are entitled to free deliveries in government facilities through the Free Maternal Delivery Programme.

The programme has been established by the Government in a bid to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country and also follows its election promise of providing free primary healthcare for all Kenyans.

According to Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2008-2009, less than half of all women give birth at health facilities, and about one out of every 200 die while giving birth.

The programme is also intended to persuade more women to attend both pre and post natal care without thinking of the cost.

While the initiative has been received enthusiastically, questions have also been raised on its long term viability.

According to Dr John Ong’ech, Head of Reproductive Health at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) the impact of the programme is huge since the facility now handles between 30 to 40 deliveries per day from their previous maximum of 25 deliveries.

Cases “The number of complicated caesarean section cases has doubled up. The number of women seeking maternal services is also going up while the health facilities are still in the same state that they were,” noted Ong’ech.

He observed that the new policy guideline is both good and a worrying at the same time since most health facilities still lack the most basic amenities and equipment.

While stating his being impressed with the Government initiative, Dr Paul Mwaniki, Vice Chairman Kenya Healthcare Federation hoped that it will achieves its goals.

However, he expressed fears that

this same programme might lead to poor delivery in the health sector unless basic things are put in place.

“Many women will abandon traditional birth attendants and go to government health facilities. On arrival, the attendants will obviously not send them away because it is a government’s directive that the patient should be treated for free,” Mwaniki said.

However, he noted that the new initiative may have a negative impact on the patients because they will have to wait longer in the queues before being attended to due to the increased number of women coming to the facility.

Mwaniki noted that the 30 nurses that are due to be employed per constituency is less compared to the shortage on the ground.

“There are many hospitals that lacked more than 30 nurses per hospital before the free maternity programme and so that number is a drop in the ocean,” he said.

However, Ong’ech is optimistic that the county governments will be less corrupt and have health as one of their top priorities.

According to Dr Boniface Chitayi, former Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), this is a matter of crossing fingers.

The county governments have been allocated KSh60 billion to spend on health but doctors argue that it is unrealistic for counties to spend the amount.

They note that county governments will not spend 28 per cent of their money on health alone given that they have other priorities like infrastructure, salaries and local developments funds.

Painful “It is very painful when something as important as health spending entirely depends on political goodwill at the county level. This should be

“The number of complicated caesarean section cases has doubled up. The number of women seeking maternal services is also going up while the health facilities are still in the same state that they were.”  Dr John Ong’ech

A nurse attending to a patient in a hospital. Hospitals in the country lack 30 percent of nurses. something that is definite and there should be a proper procedure to be followed in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal number 5,” Chitayi noted.

Budget estimates and data from the Economic Survey 2013 reveal that the Ministry of Health’s allocation was reduced significantly in the last four years where spending decreased from 7.2 per cent in 2010 of the KSh998.8 billion budget to 6.1 per cent in 2011 and 5.9 per cent in the KSh1.5 trillion budget of 2012 and now 5.7 per cent of KSh1.6 trillion budget.

This is happening at a time when most medical equipment in public health facilities are old, some have doubled their lifespan and may experience frequent breakdowns while others are not working completely.

With the shortage of basic

necessities like cotton wool, gloves and drugs, Mwaniki foresees an open door for corruption in the health facilities.

He said many patients might be forced to buy some of these requirements on their own in pharmacies that are readily available around the hospitals in order to be treated.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 40 per cent of the total Kenyan budget allocation is lost through corruption, questionable procurement and misappropriation of funds.

Kenyans are now hoping that the Government will put everything in place and on time so it does not end up like free primary education which diluted the quality of education and is not as free as it should be.

They are also hoping that their health, and hence their lives do not hang on political goodwill of county governments.

Private sector comes on board to support maternal health initiatives …By Carolyne Oyugi

T

he Free Maternal Delivery Programme has received a shot in the arm after the Private Sector Advisory Panel (PSAP) for advancing maternal and new born health in Kenya came out to offer its support.

The Private Sector Advisory Panel intends to focus on increasing skilled birth attendance, reducing financial barriers to accessing maternal and new born care and increasing uptake of family planning.

The panel will also raise awareness on maternal and new born health issues among partners, peers and policy makers at all levels. They will participate in key national and regional levels forums to accelerate progress on Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Five. They will also ensure the policy environment remains relevant as well as informed of the current issues and needs in maternal health.

Speaking during the launch of

the Private Sector Advisory Panel, Dr Amit Thakker, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Healthcare Federation said that although maternal and new born health is a priority for the Government of Kenya, progress towards achieving MDG Five has remained slow with some indicators even showing reversing trends.

Deaths Maternal mortality still remains unacceptably high at 448 deaths per 100,000 live births. This is echoed by new born and infant, with one in every 19 babies born dying before their first birthday. About 60 per cent of these deaths occur in the neonatal period.

Speaking at the same meeting, Dr Benjamin Alli, UNFPA representative to Kenya, thanked the private sector for getting involved in health and giving the Government the much needed help.

“UNFPA delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe and every young person’s

potential is fulfilled,” Alli noted.

UNFPA’s goal is to achieve universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (including Family Planning), promoting reproductive rights and reducing maternal and new born mortality.

Working with an array of partners, UNFPA assists governments in delivering sexual and reproductive health care throughout the life cycle of women and youth.

These includes voluntary family planning including donation of contraceptives and condoms, prevention of obstetric fistula and management of its consequences, prevention of violence against women, care for survivors of violence and other actions to eliminate traditional harmful practices.

UNFPA also supports population and health surveys (Kenya Demographic Health Survey Census).

In a speech read on his behalf by Director of Public Health Dr Shanaaz Shariff, Cabinet Secretary for Health

James Macharia emphasized that maternal health is a primary concern for the Jubilee Government.

“The Government’s desire is to ensure that Kenya meets the Millennium Development Goal 5 and its targets by drastically reducing the country’s maternal mortality rate by 75 per cent by 2015,” Macharia noted.

He stressed that under its watch, the Jubilee government will not allow any more preventable maternal and new born deaths to happen.

Macharia welcomed the initiative by the private sector and UNFPA to join hands with the Government to advance maternal and new born health in the country.

Free According to KDHS 2008-2009, every two hours a woman dies while giving birth and every 20 minutes a mother loses her new born child in Kenya.

For this reason President Uhuru Kenyatta declared that women will access maternal services in public hospi-

tals for free starting June 1.

"With respect to health, my government has made adequate budgetary arrangements to enable all pregnant mothers to access free maternity services in all public health facilities, with effect from June 1," said Kenyatta in a public address on Madaraka Day. The Government went further and waived the KSh20 charged for registration in health centres.

The Private Sector Advisory Panel comprises Safaricom Limited, Ministry of Health and the UN Global Compact Network Kenya, Global Business Coalition for Health, Kenya Healthcare Federation, Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Development Partners for Health Kenya.

The team plans to broaden, deepen and strengthen partnerships, resource base and innovative capacities for reducing maternal and new born deaths in Kenya. They also want to support the country towards accelerating its efforts in achieving MDG five.

12

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Giving birth is still a matter of life and death for slum women

…In spite of the fact that at least 700 women living in slum areas die for every 100,000 live births, free maternity services may still not inspire hospital deliveries for pregnant women living in Nairobi slums, writes Joyce Chimbi

I

t has emerged that the rising number of medical trainees in maternity wards attending to pregnant women unsupervised is driving women away from hospital deliveries.

“The recent waiver of maternity fee, while a very significant gesture, may not make a significant difference in the lives of pregnant women living in the slums,” says Milka Nyambura, a trained midwife in Nairobi.

Nyambura notes that when it comes to delivering babies, age is more than just a number for scores of women living in Kibera and Mathare slums.

“Pregnant women prefer to deliver in the hands of an older and experienced woman. There is a perception that an older woman has already given birth and understands the rigours of child birth,” says Julia Njoki, a resident of Mathare slums.

She adds: “During the day, you find medical trainees attending to patients under the supervision of doctors, but at night the situation is remarkably different.”

According to various sources in most public health facilities, medical trainees in maternity wards attend to pregnant women unsupervised.

“There are usually two people at the reception and two doctors at night in most public hospitals. Labour comes at night for most women, you end up having medical trainees attending to you,” says Tabby Owino, a resident of Mathare slums.

These allegations levelled against public health facilities perhaps provide an indication as to why only a negligible number of women living in the slums give birth in hospitals.

Government statistics show that generally, only a paltry 40 per cent of women, deliver in the care of trained health attendants and in certified hospitals.

Neglect “This is a matter of great concern because the higher the number of women delivering at home without the help of trained midwives, the higher the chances of the delivery resulting in fatalities, often for both mother and child,” observes Nyambura.

According to women living in the slums, particularly Kibera and Mathare, public hospitals have relegated serious procedures to medical trainees who more often than not lack

the know-how to respond to complications that may arise during a delivery.

Evelyn Bosibori, a resident of Mathare explains that her delivery could have led to her death and that of her baby.

Julia Njoki speaking about the challenges that “I was being attended women continue to face while delivering in to by a trainee who was not certified hospitals. She urged the Government quick to detect that my baby to come to their aid especially in the informal was too big for a normal settlements. Below, Millicent Atieno. Picture: delivery. Further, the baby George Ngesa had not turned properly so the legs came out first,” says Bosibori. plains.

While the women unShe adds: “Some babies weigh very derstand that medical trainees have little. It could be an indicator of an unto visit actual hospitals to horn their derlying issue but trainees often forget skills, they complain that trained that a baby is weighed immediately. A medical personnel often delegate work delay will certainly give an incorrect to trainees that is way beyond their caweight reading.” pacity.

But medical trainees were not “Giving birth is not just about tellwithout redeeming qualities. ing a woman to push and cutting the “They are usually very kind to umbilical cord, it is also about being pregnant women and also very comable to respond to a complication if it passionate. The only problem is that arises,” says Magdalene Muchai, a trathey are not ready to offer serious skills ditional birth attendant (TBA). such as guiding a woman through a Practice delivery without the help of a qualified doctor,” Njoki says.

Women are, therefore, claiming This comes even as women dethat public hospitals are using preglivering in public hospitals continue nant women as guinea pigs for trainto complain of harsh treatment by ees during the practical part of their nurses. training.

However, despite having trainees “Personally, I have refused to be attending to pregnant women deliverattended to by a trainee. Of course ing in public hospitals, it is still a long the nurses will insult you and tell road to a safe delivery for pregnant you to go start your own hospital women living in the slums. but I would rather deliver at home “Insecurity is rampant in the than have a trainee handle me,” says slums. A while back, a woman went Njambi Weru, a resident of Kibera. into labour at night. Her husband Njambi says that older trained asked two of his friends to help him nurses are able to easily detect if mothtake the wife to the hospital,” says Beaer and baby are progressing through trice Mudachi, an expectant mother labour at a normal pace. living in Kibera slums.

“These older women can attend to On the way to the hospital through a delivery without pushing their hands the sprawling Kibera slums, they were through a woman’s vagina more often accosted by thugs. than is necessary,” Njambi says.

“The two friends ran away leaving Njoki concurs saying that older husband and wife behind. They were nurses can easily assess a woman by both killed,” says Mudachi. “simply looking at her abdomen and Njoki says that not even the sight touching her gently”. of a pregnant woman will deter thugs.

Women also claimed that there are “So when labour begins at night, decisions that trained nurses are able your hope is that the baby can hold on to make that a trainee may not underuntil daybreak,” she expounds. stand.

“At night, you may not even get the “The weight of a baby at birth is help of a traditional birth attendant. very significant. It can guide a mother The distance between your house and in making decisions regarding how the hers may be covered in five minutes but new baby is to be handled,” Muchai ex-

in the slums, those five minutes may mean the difference between life and death for anyone walking around at night,” Mudachi laments.

Address It is such issues that the Government needs to address in order to ensure that the recent maternal fee waiver makes a difference in the lives of women who need it the most.

Poor infrastructure in slum areas also makes it difficult for women to access certified health facilities and end up in private clinics positioned strategically in the slums.

“Most women in Kibera will de-

liver in clinics such as Ushirika. It is accessible but costly. A delivery will cost you about KSh4,500. For women living in the slums, that is a lot of money. They would rather deliver in the house and hope that all goes well,” Muchai explains.

There are no roads in slum areas and a pregnant woman who goes into labour at night has to walk to the nearest health facility.

“Unless the Government finds a way to respond to these challenges and concerns, a simple waiver of maternity fee will not improve maternal health in any significant way,” Nyambura cautions.

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

13

Why the female condom is still not an option ….Women continue to shy away from the condom as discourse around this innovation seems to have died down

…By Joyce Chimbi

W

hen the female condom first hit the market, it was met with intense excitement and curiosity, particularly among potential users.

After years of difficulties towards improving uptake of the male condom, and complaints levelled by women that men resist when asked to use a condom, researchers designed a female condom.

“The invention was nothing short of genius, it could serve as a contraceptive method to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, and also protect partners from sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV,” says Suzie Nyambane, a gender activist in Kenya.

The female condom is the only product to date, that simultaneously protects a woman from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. However, years down the line, not only is the uptake of the female condom low but it hardly features as a real option in many African countries. As a result, the duel protection product remains largely underutilized.

While advocates for the female condom claim that the low distribution of the product and failure by African governments to integrate it within its health system is to blame for the low uptake, potential clients claim that the cost is prohibitive and the quality poor.

While it is common to find condom dispenser for the original male condom, it is rare to find one for the female condom.

Disparity Further, it would appear that this disparity arises right from the point of manufacture.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2005 there were only 13.9 million female condoms in distribution worldwide, and six to nine billion male condoms.

At the heart of this low uptake are several issues. “But it is no secret that power is skewed in favour of men

in as far as negotiating for safe sex is concerned. Particularly within the patriarchal African society where men have sex when they want, with whom and as often as they like,” says Suzie Nyambane, a gender activist in Kenya.

That is not all. In Niger for instance, the material used in manufacturing the female condom has been deemed to be an overly poor choice.

“The female condom as it is now is not appropriate for a hot country like Niger,” says Hachimou Zara, Director of programs at L’Association du Nouveau-Brunswick pour l’économie Familiale (ANBEF), the association of family planning in Niger.

“Also, unlike the male condom, which is thin and easy to use, women have complained that the female condom is bulky and uncomfortable,” Zara explains.

At ANBEF’s clinics in both Niamey and Tillaberi, the female condom is the least requested form of contra-

ceptive, or protection against sexually transmitted illnesses.

Nonetheless, in Niger, there is a community that is slowly embracing the female condom.

“Commercial sex workers are the most interested in the female condom,” says Dr Sani Zagul, executive director, ANBEF. Those who have attempted to use the female condom claim that while the concept was right, execution raised more problems than solutions.

“First, the female condom is a lot more expensive than the male condom. This condom was supposedly meant to empower women, yet we know in Africa, women are poorer than the men,” says Nyambane.

She notes that the female condom is also bulky and difficult to insert.

“The female condom is noisy, and it feels like a glove. Women have complained that it compromises stimulation because it acts as a barrier in every sense,” Zara explains.

While certain stakeholders have

Female condoms are available in the market but unfortunately the uptake is low amongst women in Africa made significant attempts to improve the uptake of the female condom, there are those who feel that this is equivalent to placing the cart before the horse.

Discomfort “The primary focus ought to improve the product itself, women are not using the female condom because it is unavailable, or that there are fewer female condoms as compared to the male condom, women won’t use the female condom simply because it is noisy, uncomfortable, compromises sexual pleasure and so on,” says Stacy Omollo, a community health worker in Nairobi.

While the male condom is easy to wear, many say that it is not so with the female condom.

“In fact, you may have to wear the female condom in anticipation of a sexual encounter, which may or

may not happen because within the African patriarchal system, the decision to have sex and when to, largely remains the prerogative of men,” she observes.

According to Omollo, the female condom has done little, ‘if anything’ to empower women in the bedroom.

Nonetheless, Zagul explains that improving the quality and lowering the cost of the female condom will only have addressed part of the problem.

“There are many social barriers; cultural issues that make people shy away from the female condom should be part of the solution,” he says.

Still, since it would appear that the female condom is popular among sex workers in many African countries, improving the quality of the female condom may be their much needed solution in an effort to practice safe sex.

Lessons picked from political contests …By Dinah Awuor

W

hen I set out to contest for the Women Representative seat in Nairobi County I began by registering as voter.

I then sought clearance from the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) and signed regulations stipulated in the Elections Act. I also had to make sure my name was at the register of political parties and specifically for the Safina party which was my vehicle in my race.

Having gone through the process and losing in the polls, I came to realise some very important things that women should

not overlook.

One of them and the most important aspect is to have a strong financial base to run meaningful campaigns. Even though women are not well endowed with money, it is important that any aspiring woman fund-raises money for smooth management of the campaigns given that our male counterparts have money and easily uses it.

Money Money is everything for the campaigns’ as it helps avail logistics that include transport, electronic media advertisements, posters and maintenance of transport.

It is very important for women to fundraise early and also identify the area

where they intend to contest a seat so that they start creating a rapport with the voters to avoid being seen as a stranger when the actual campaign time begins.

Thirdly, there is need to assemble security personnel given that our political processes are always violent and women bear the brunt after every election year with some aspirants ending up being raped or physically assaulted. One has to map out a very able security team that cannot be compromised or manipulated to counter the opponent’s ruthless security.

Fourth, we must stop raising issues of gender at political rallies and instead concentrate on our strengths since the topic makes us unpopular with the male voters.

Further, we must use the positive side of our culture to popularise our political bid. It is also very important to note that politics is not like any other career as we should learn the art of propaganda and use it effectively for our benefit. The message to the people must be strong and appealing.

It is true that women are obviously disadvantaged because of being central in the day to day running of their homes and family and so one has to prioritise and sacrifice due to the very demanding electoral process.

The writer is the Vice chairperson of Safina Party. She contested the seat of Women Representative in Nairobi in the March 2013 General elections.

14

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Good news for African women …as researchers into HIV get closer to finding solutions in microbicide

…By Henry Owino

A

ids is ranked among the world’s most devastating diseases which has spread rapidly and mainly affected people in their most productive years.

Approximately 34 million people worldwide are living with the HIV and almost 30 million have already died from Aids related causes.

According to UNAIDS, each day, over 7,000 women, men and children become infected with HIV, the virus that causes Aids.

Globally, nearly 17 million children, majority of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa, have lost their parents because of the Aids scourge.

Surprisingly, women bear a particularly high burden of the epidemic as primary caregivers for the ill and because of their heightened risk of infection due to biological, economic and social vulnerabilities.

Based on the latest comprehensive WHO data, Aids is the leading cause of death globally in women aged between 15 and 44, particularly in subSaharan Africa where the scourge has hit hardest.

Spread Heterosexual sex is the primary mode by which HIV spreads in developing countries. Although a range of prevention strategies exists, they are not enough to stop the spread of HIV especially among women.

Many women are unable to persuade their male partners to use condoms or remain faithful.

Abstinence is not an option for women who are married, who want children or who are at risk of sexual violence.

This is why new prevention strategies that women can use easily are urgently needed. One such strategy would be the microbicides. These are medical products being developed to protect healthy people from becoming infected with HIV during sex.

Some microbicides are being designed only for women as vaginal products, and others would be rectal products that both men and women can use.

Generally, a microbicide is aimed at reducing the risk of sexual HIV transmission. Clinical trials promise to have a profound impact on the epidemic.

These findings were released by health researchers during the second National Biennial HIV and Aids Scientific Research conference held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Sex According to Dr Pamela Njuguna from Action Africa Help International, the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) is among several non-profit organizations focused on developing microbicides to protect women from HIV during sex with a male partner.

She disclosed that microbicides could come in many forms including gels used around the time of sex or once-daily and vaginal rings that could provide protection for a month or longer.

“In contrast with treatment regimens which manage HIV infection after it has already taken hold in the body, microbicides are designed to prevent infection from happening in the first place,” Njuguna clarified.

In the recent years, a number of organizations have been studying a new generation of microbicide gel and rings containing antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), similar to those used to treat people living with HIV to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

They act specifically against HIV by attacking at one of a number of points in the HIV life cycle.

The anti-retroviral drugs have extended and saved millions of lives across the globe and these drugs are now adapted to protect healthy adults from becoming infected with HIV. New evidence from multiple recent clinical trials has shown the powerful potential of ARVs to pre-

Dr Nicholas Muraguri sharing views with an HIV expert during the National HIV Aids conference that was held in Nairobi recently. vent HIV infection.

Njuguna recalled the first microbicide study, the results was announced in July 2010 from the first ever efficacy trial of a vaginal microbicide gel containing an ARV known as tenofovir showed “proof of concept’’ that a microcode could protect women against HIV. That clinical trial, called CAPRISA 004, showed that tenofovir gel reduced the risk of acquiring HIV infection by 39 per cent when used once before sex and once again after sex.

In a surprise finding, tenofovir gel also cut in half infections with another sexually transmitted virus, HSV-2, which is the cause of most genital herpes.

Two clinical trials called MTN-003, also known as the “VOICE” study and FACTS 001 are under way to confirm these results.

According to Njuguna, in 2010 and 2011, several large clinical trials also established proofof-concept that ARVs taken as oral tablets can significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection in various adult populations.

Intervention This new intervention is called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. The iPrEx, led by the NIH, showed that taking the daily medication Truvada, an oral ARV pill that contains both tenofovir and emtricitabine led to 44 per cent fewer HIV infections among men who have sex with men.

Another trial called Partners PrEP conducted in Africa by the University of Washington found that among heterosexual couples in which one partner is HIV-positive and the other HIV-negative, daily oral Truvada and daily oral tenofovir reduced HIV infections by 73 and 62 per cent respectively.

“The TDF2 trial, conducted by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) among men and women, reported that daily oral

Truvada reduced their HIV risk by 63 per cent,” Njuguna revealed.

A long-term study by NIH testing ‘treatment for prevention’ reported that earlier versus delayed initiation of ARV treatment among HIV-positive people led to a 96 per cent reduction in new HIV infections among their uninfected partners.

These studies demonstrate the enormous potential for ARV-based technologies to revolutionize HIV prevention. Stopping HIV will require a broad toolkit of products that address individual needs and preference, including longacting microbicides that could improve consistent use and adherence, and ultimately enhance effectiveness, while reducing the possibility of resistance.

The medical expert explained that the forms of microbicides would be such as gel, films or vaginal rings which may have a critical impact on their efficacy and cost, and acceptability to those who will be using them.

She anticipated an advantage of ARV-based microbicides is that they can be formulated in long-acting delivery methods that can be applied once a day (gels and films) or used for a month or longer (vaginal rings).

Because any of these formulations would be used independently of when sexual activity takes place, they would provide protection against HIV infection even during unanticipated sex.

“Although no microbicide has yet been approved for use, tenofovir gel has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in women, two additional clinical trials are ongoing to confirm these results before it is brought in Africa by 2015,” Njuguna emphasized.

The scientist explained that other ARV drugs that target HIV infection have been identified and are currently undergoing extensive testing for use as microbicides, such as the long-acting,

monthly vaginal ring developed by the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), which contains the ARV compound dapivirine.

The ring will advance to long-term safety and efficacy studies in 2012 conducted by the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) and IPM in Africa.

Some researchers believe that microbicides combining two or more ARVs in a single product may target HIV at different points in the life cycle and increase the level of production, as is the case with ARVs used in treatment, but further study is needed.

The first combination microbicide to be tested in a clinical trial was the dapivirine-maraviroc vaginal ring developed by IPM. This new product was evaluated in a safety study by MTN in late 2011.

Development Other combinations are in preclinical development, including combinations products with tenofovir as well as dual-purpose products designed to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy or HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

There are lessons learned through years of scientific inquiry which have brought the world to a milestone in HIV and Aids research, proof that topical ARV-based microbicides and oral ARV pills can reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Developing safe and effective microbicides for women in developing countries promises to be one of the great public health accomplishments of this generation.

Now is the time to build on recent findings and advance the development of long-acting microbicide products women can use to protect themselves ones approved in Africa.

Microbicides, account the unequal impact of the epidemic on women and a much needed tool in achieving the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

15

African women scientists set new standards in farming …By Duncan Mboyah

T

he enormous contribution that African women make in agriculture has not translated to any meaningful representation in research.

Although women account for 80 per cent of farmers in Africa, most agriculture scientists are male and not female, an oversight that is partly blamed on the imbalance between male and female agricultural scientists.

However, a career development programme targeting women scientists is promising to change the tide.

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) equips top women scientists across sub-Saharan Africa to accelerate agricultural gains by strengthening their research and leadership skills through fellowships.

Security “Empowering women scientists to take up leadership positions is critical towards the attainment of food security and improved livelihood than if men are left to take charge,” says Prof Mary Abukutsa-Onyango, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) during an interview with the KenyanWoman in her office.

She observes that it is not only advantageous to invest in women scientists but it is the smart option since women scientists are normally thorough at what they do.

Abukutsa-Onyango observes that women are the cornerstone of families and nations and if a nation or continent has a large proportion of their women well versed, it will translate into solving problems of hunger, malnutrition, poverty and climate change.

Ability “Women have an in built and inherent ability to multi task and investing in women scientists will translate in faster development and improved livelihoods,” says Abukutsa-Onyango who served as an AWARD mentor.

She reveals that through the programme, mentees learn leadership, communication, presentation and negotiations skills that give them advantage in dealing with the women farmers.

The programme increases the networks of the fellows to be able to reach and interact with high profile networks, something that has been lacking previously.

The programme teaches etiquette and dealing with difficult situations at the work place without losing patience as well as offering tips on work and family balance so that one can be successful in the career while at the same time attend to family responsibilities.

“The AWARD programme is effective, and it is really making a difference given its niche towards African women scientists,” observes Dr Segenet Kelemu, Vice President for programmes at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Kelemu who mentored Dr Ruth Wanyera of Cimmyt and Dr Dora Kilalo, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi notes that AWARD is a worthy and unique programme that needs support to have teeth to bite boldly.

She suggests that the programme explores ways to expand women’s presence in engineering, medical, environmental sciences, information technology and other areas where women are underrepresented.

According to Dr Annah Indeche, a senior field technician at JKUAT, without a mentor, one gropes around like a blind person but with a mentor, one is held and led on.

“I am not saying having a mentor guarantees a challenge free journey but a mentor is able to give you proper guidance based on their past experiences and successes,” explains Indeche.

She notes: “I remember sometime last year I got an opportunity to attend an international conference in New Delhi and my baby was still suckling and this to me was such a challenge. When I shared with my mentor she gave me her own experience of how she landed a World Bank scholarship for her doctorate in the United Kingdom when her baby was hardly a year old.”

So with her advice, Indeche took up the opportunity after consulting her husband and attended the conference.

“Under normal circumstances I would not have had the guts to go and leave my baby but knowing that other women have excelled through the AWARD programme I decided to take the sacrifice,” she notes.

Indeche says that through the guidance of her mentor, she can now communicate scientific findings with confidence and this has increased her visibility.

“The monthly meetings with the mentor has enabled me build trust and confide in her inner thoughts about my career since she has assisted me in formulating clear objectives and a life purpose goal as a woman scientist,” she says.

Hope Indeche says that her mentor’s energy towards writing proposals, book chapters, conducting research, lecturing yet at the same time raising a family and attending to even the extended family successfully gives her hope that she can as well be successful

Prof Mary Abukutsa-Onyango, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) attending to plants in a green house. More women are now participating actively in agricultural research and science based findings.

PICTURE:DUNCAN MBOYA

in offering service to the public.

“With the tools availed to me through this programme, I am sure of making positive contribution through my profession in assisting women farmers,” Indeche notes.

She observes that women scientists always want to include a gender responsive aspect in their research and this definitely boosts the quality of agricultural science in Africa.

Fees Even if the project is in collaboration between institutions and some of the researchers are men, the woman on that team especially if she is an AWARD fellow or mentor will definitely negotiate for the gender aspect to be included in the proposal.

“The joy of a woman who can sell her produce to pay fees for her children

or build a decent house because they employed good agricultural practices should be the women scientists’ joy too,” she notes.

The advantages of investing in women scientists is important because they are capable of gathering relevant information from women farmers who have first hand experience of farming and how it has helped most women widows feed and educate their children.

The family farm is the greatest possession many widowed women inherit from their husbands and to these women, food for their children is the first priority. Educating their children is a privilege, a preserve for the well to do but they dare to help pay for their children’s fees.

What a woman is passionate about she will go all the way to achieve. If a

“The AWARD programme is effective, and it is really making a difference given its niche towards African women scientists,”  Dr Segenet Kelemu, Vice President, AGRA

woman has experienced drudgery if she becomes an agricultural engineer she will strive to innovate tools that will reduce this for fellow women.

“In my case it was always the case of poor yields, so I devote myself to seeking ways in which yields can be improved. I work at the university and we have innovations by men scientists which can benefit women,” says Indeche.

The opportunities AWARD gives make one to be visible in this male dominated profession.

Under this programme, the fellow is paired up with a senior and an accomplished scientist always a woman of the mentees choice depending on her career aspirations.

Model The monthly meetings go on for two years for the post BSc fellows and for one year for the post MSC and postPhD fellows. In the second year all the fellows organise for a role modelling event in their organizations or former schools. At the same time the post MSc and post PhD fellows take on a junior mentee.

The monthly meetings are set for the fellow to explain what they have done to meet their career goal as set out in the purpose road map, state any challenges encountered and ask specific assistance from the mentor.

16

Issue Number 38 • July 2013

Regina Nyeris Passion for education propels her to political limelight …By Faith Muiruri

M

eet Regina Nyeris, the woman representative, West Pokot County. Her passion for the girl child education is what propelled her to public limelight and earned her a position in the community.

She founded Chesta Girls’ Secondary School, which today serves as a safe haven for young girls whose quest for education is often curtailed or threatened by harmful traditional practices.

As a teacher, Nyeris watched helplessly as scores of young girls were forced to drop out of school, subjected to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and married off to older men in tandem with tradition.

Troubled by their plight, Nyeris resolved to fight for the rights of the girl child and started by sensitizing the community on the need to accord the girl child education.

“I remember moving from one homestead to another, urging parents to take their children to school to help fight the high rates of illiteracy in the community and enable them compete favourably for the limited opportunities in the country,” explains Nyeris.

She adds: “I managed to enlist the support of my husband who had for a long time served as a chief in the community. I would use the chief’s barazas to denounce retrogressive cultural practices and push for the girl child education.”

Nyeris who also served as the head teacher encouraged parents to take their daughters to school instead of confining them at home in readiness for the cut and eventually marriage.

“My efforts finally bore fruit and most parents began enrolling their daughters in large numbers,” she recalls during an interview with the KenyanWoman at a conference organized the Women Empowerment Link (WEL) on advancing the gender agenda.

Nyeris taught at Chesta Girls’ Secondary School for ten years and made sure that the girls enjoyed equal opportunities in their quest for education.

“I dedicated my time and resources to ensure that girls excelled in their education. I also supported scores of needy children to complete their studies and I remember approaching wellwishers and donors to support students complete their education,” she reveals.

This initiative helped to build her profile in the community and subsequently earned her victory during the election.

At first, she faced resistance with the community which still regards women lowly and with no right at all to speak on any matters that affect the community.

However she managed to ride on the family name during the campaigns.

Nyeri’s husband served as a chief in the community for a long time and this gave her a vantage point during the campaigns.

“The community elders also endorsed my candidature because I had the backing of my husband who was campaigning for me,” she narrates.

Her track record also came in

Regina Nyeri, the woman representative, West Pokot County underscores a point during a women's conference held in Nairobi recently. Her passion for the girl child education is what propelled her to leadership. Picture: Kaniaru Ndirangu handy to assuage the community to support her political bid.

Nyeris is a trailblazer in her own right. She was the first woman head teacher in the community and her commitment to bettering their lives served to bolster her political support.

Nyeris also reveals that her home serves as a role model in the community and scores of people in the county pay her visits to learn best practices in farming.

“I managed to beat Rhoda Rotino who was my closest rival despite the fact that she was fully backed by the former ruling party KANU.” Nyeris further attributes her victory to her closer ties with the church.

She says that most religious leaders used their platforms to popularise her candidature.

Nyeris, who is a household name in the community, is quickly cutting a niche for herself in the political arena.

Top in her agenda is engaging

“I remember moving from one homestead to another, urging parents to take their children to school to help fight the high rates of illiteracy in the community and enable them compete favourably for the limited opportunities in the country.”  Regina Nyeris, the woman representative, West Pokot County

women in productive work to uplift their living standards.

She says that women and youth in the area are disadvantaged and generally less financially endowed. Women for instance do not own any property including land and thus can hardly participate effectively in development matters.

Through this sensitisation awareness creation, she believes that women have an opportunity to own land and other property.

“I have been holding meetings in the community to sensitise the community on the new constitution which allows women to inherit land and access to family property,” she explains.

As a woman representative, she plans to strongly articulate issues that concern the community among them insecurity fanned by cattle rustling.

She also cites the glaring poverty levels in the County which she says have become synonymous with the area inspite of the fact that there are huge resources which remain untapped.

The County has untapped potential in various sectors, including tourism, agriculture and mineral wealth, whose exploitation can be jointly undertaken to improve livelihoods.

“My leadership is primarily about bringing the development of the County at par with the rest of the Country,” she asserts adding that the first step in improving the economic status of coun-

ty is to improve the economic status of the communities.

She is currently working closely with the Lutheran Church to establish a fruit processing plant to ensure that farmers reap highly from their produce.

Nyeris says the County has lagged behind in development over the years due to lack of an aggressive political representation which she is promising to deliver in the next five years.

Education remains a big challenge to the women and youth in West Pokot County as majority dropped out of school at the primary level.

Nyeris intends to lobby for the allocation of resources to boost adult education programmes to bridge the literacy gap.

Further, infrastructure is another major issue that may hinder development in the County. The roads are in a deplorable state which may discourage potential investors and, therefore, she will push for allocation of resources to rehabilitate the road network.

Nyeris is credited for spearheading peace initiatives in the County and will continue to work closely with the warring communities, churches, and non-governmental organizations, to ensure that they find a lasting solution to the problems facing the County.

Nyeris intends to work closely with other elected representatives in the County to increase her visibility.

Executive 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 Mboya, Faith Muiruri and Carolyne Oyugi

Contributors:

Shaka Mpemba, David Njaaga, Valine Moraa, Joseph Mukubwa, Esther Akello, Ben Oroko, Adam Juma, Joyce Chimbi and Henry Owino.

Design & layout:

Noel Lumbama (Noel Creative Media Ltd)