Issue Number 45 • April 2014
Issue Number 45 April 2014
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Seeking to change face of power through gender equality in post-2015 agenda …By Jane Godia
W
omen rights advocates and gender equality advocates scored in the just concluded Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) when their demands for a stand - alone gender equality goal in the post-2015 agenda was met. The final outcome document of CSW 58 reaffirmed commitments to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as was stated in the Millennium Summit, 2005 World Summit, 2010 high level plenary meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the 2013 Special Event on the MDGs. The outcome document noted the Commission reaffirming gender equal-
ity and empowerment of women and girls and the enjoyment of their human rights as well as eradication of poverty as essential to economic and social development including achievement of MDGs. The Commission recognized that almost 15 years after the MDGs were launched, no country has achieved gender equality for women and girls and that significant levels of inequality between men and women persist. The outcome document also recognizes the importance of MDGs in signaling gender equality and women’s empowerment as a global priority. Noting that progress has been slow with persistent gender disparities in some regions in secondary and tertiary education, the Commission noted that unless all dimensions of gender inequality are addressed, gender
Hon. Cecily Mabrire making her contributions during the side event. Picture by Jane Godia. inequality and empowerment of women and girls as well as realization of human rights of women and girls cannot be achieved. It notes that empowerment of women is critical in achievement of MDGs and calls for elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls through development.
Measures The Commission calls for concrete long term measures to transform discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes including those that limit
women’s well being in order to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Achieving a stand - alone goal on gender equality did not come on a silver platter in most African countries, Kenya included. As the curtains came down the Commission on the Status of Women session 58, echoes of Gender Equality rang along the corridors and walls of the United Nations headquarters in New York. Meeting after meeting, side event after side event, all the delegates demanded that in the post-2015 agenda,
gender equality remains a key priority and it must remain a stand-alone goal as the weld moves forward. Eventually the final outcome document of the CSW 58 had a stand - alone document on gender equality. The call was for the post-2015 agenda to address the challenges of gender inequality. It was noted that when things are fair, and women play their equal role in society, then the benefits are able to spread to all. This is because when there is progress for women, there is progress for all. Continues on page 7
50 years later, the battle still rages on against disease, illiteracy and poverty
EDITORIAL
T
ime is running out for the Kenyan Government to meet the deadline of the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Whereas we understand how much the Governments’ hand is full, what with the runaway wage bill as Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs), teachers, doctors and lecturers still demand for better perks, but the ordinary men, women and children on the ground are also expected to enjoy the benefits of the MDG in their respective homes, offices and neighbourhoods.
Education Out of the eight MDGs, it has only faired well with number 2, to achieve universal primary education, thanks to the introduction of free primary education by retired President Mwai Kibaki, in 2003. The Millennium project was commissioned by the UN SecretaryGeneral in 2002 to develop concrete action plan for the world to achieve
the MDGs and to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people. Last year’s election pledge by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who succeeded Kibaki last year, to introduce free laptops for primary school children (which has been hit by controversy and a court injunction), is a step in the direction to achieving MDG2. But one year to the deadline set by the UN, the Kenyan Government is far from meeting MDG number five, which is to improve maternal health. This is one area of concern that has not been given as much financial support and limelight as is supposed to be. This is a very sad admission by none other than the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mr James Macharia, whom we have quoted widely in a separate interview on page three of this issue. It is ironical that half a century after independence, disease, which is under the health docket, is still a major national challenge despite a declaration by the founding father of the
nation, Jomo Kenyatta, that his Government would eradicate diseases, illiteracy and poverty. Some 50 years later, the battle rages on and with no sign of respite. The introduction of free maternal healthcare last year by the Uhuru Kenyatta Government soon after taking over the reigns of power was a welcome move, but it is not enough.
Step The recent charity walk and media campaign by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, which raised Shs100 million, is another step in the right direction. But still more is expected of the Government as far as policy, budget allocation and provision of drugs and personnel is concerned. As we all know, where there is a will there is a way. Babies are brought into this world in the labour ward, and grow in the real world out there where the cost of drugs, healthcare is unaffordable to most members of the public. Official records show that Ma-
ternal Mortality Ratio had remained high at about 360 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2012. That is unacceptable. A new study shows that of the 59 neonatal cases of maternal deaths studied, 31 infants survived delivery, and eight died in first week of life and another eight died in the next several weeks, leaving a total of only 15 surviving babies. More women too died in health facilities due to late referrals and transport delays in getting the patients for treatment. While the global maternal deaths were cut in half between 1990 and 2010, Kenya’s maternal mortality ration declined only slightly during the same period, going from 400 per 100,000 births in 1990 to 360 per 100,000 in 2010. According to the Minister, every day about 5,500 Kenyan women are lost to maternal death every year, and a further 100,000 children aged below five, tragedies that affects families of the dead relatives.
This is why we are urging the Jubilee Government to burn the midnight oil and ensure that the MDG 5 is met before next year. With its good political will so far, we believe that achieving MDG 5 is not a mission impossible. The other MDGs where the Government has done above average in meeting them are: extreme hunger and poverty (MDG 1); promoting gender equality and empower women (MDG 3); and reducing child mortality (MDG 4).
Partnership Others are to combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases (MDG 6); ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG 7) and developing a global partnership for development (MDG 8). The long road to achieving the MDGs has been windy, rough and hectic; the ball is now in the court of the Government to deliver as it had pledged to do so 14 years ago.