1. The Importance Of Context

POLICY BRIEF 2:

THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER PARTNERSHIPS IN WOMEN ENGAGEMENT IN POLITICS IN KENYA 2

1. TYPOLOGY OF CSOS AND PARTNERS ENGAGED IN WPP

There are different types and formations of CSOs involved in WPP in Kenya. Some operate at the global and regional levels, and others have a more national focus, while others are found active at the grassroots levels. The persuasions, ethos and modes of operation defer based on their objectives, leanings and level of funding. CSOs roles include promoting, respecting and upholding human rights and social justice through empowering people to voice their concerns. CSOs work across all aspects of WPP, including legal and policy reforms, advocacy, leadership, capacity building, media engagement, monitoring and accountability, as described below.

(i)Rights-based organizations: Inclusion of women in political leadership and decision making is not only a prerequisite for a functional democracy but is also a matter of efficiency in governance. CSOs are very active in promoting women’s rights, thus working towards increasing women in political leadership.

Several organizations have consistently focused on the rights approach to politics, specifically for WPP. These organizations are involved in legal and policy review (as described further below) and monitoring contravention of women’s rights in the political sphere. These organizations have been central in building the women’s movement, advocating for women’s rights and promoting gender-related actions, including seeking the court’s interpretation on the not more than two-thirds gender rule. Some of the most active CSOs in this area include the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), CRAWN Trust, Katiba Institute and the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW).

(ii) Capacity building and training-oriented CSOs:

These organizations tend to focus on supporting women aspirants through training, skills transfer, exposure visits and mentorship. These CSOs include the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Norwegian Democracy Institute (NDI), Kenya Women Holding, FIDA-Kenya, CREAW, CRAWN Trust, among others. The main aim for these CSOs is to ensure that women understand the political processes, the legislation and policies guiding their political parties, the role of the different Government entities responsible for electoral processes, and their rights as a people.

(iii) Capacity building and training-oriented CSOs:

These organizations tend to focus on supporting women aspirants through training, skills transfer, exposure visits and mentorship. These CSOs include the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Norwegian Democracy Institute (NDI), Kenya Women Holding, FIDA-Kenya, CREAW, CRAWN Trust, among others. The main aim for these CSOs is to ensure that women understand the political processes, the legislation and policies guiding their political parties, the role of the different government entities responsible for electoral processes, and their rights as a people.

(iv) Media and media associations:

The media continuously shapes public views and defines events on the public sphere, the identities of those who access the public sphere and, to a great extent, the importance attached to events in the media [1]. In the last two national elections (2013 and 2017), several CSOs have focused on changing communities' perceptions towards women in leadership, including the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK).

It is, however, notable that the media has often described successful women politicians in masculine terms, as evidenced by a statement about a former Minister for Justice, Hon. Martha Karua as being “the only man in the former President Kibaki’s government.” These might appear positive at a cursory glance, but it is an unwarranted comparison in a context created and perpetuated by the community and given legitimacy through the media.

(v) Parliamentary Caucuses:

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) and the County Assemblies Women Caucuses are legislators’ membership associations whose aim is to strengthen the participation of women in all political spheres through capacity development, partnership building and strategic community engagement. There are also alliances, such as the Kenya Women’s Political Caucus (KWPC), Women’s Political Alliance of Kenya (WPAK) and Kenya Women Political Alliance (KWPA), that tend to gravitate towards capacity building through developing the knowledge and skills to help women political aspirants to win candidate nominations and elections, and ultimately to promote and support women’s participation and influence in politics.4

(vi) The UN system and development partners:

These institutions are recognized for supporting CSOs, women alliances and caucuses in Kenya to engage in WPP actively. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNFPA) and UN Women have consistently supported the WPP CSO initiatives and movements for over 20 years. This support has mainly focused on identifying, training and positioning women to take on leadership positions at the local and national levels. The Swedish Development Agency (SIDA), Department for International Development (DfID) and Ford Foundation have been consistent in their support for WPP. IDEA has illustrated its commitment to addressing the challenges of WPP through various targeted support, particularly through funding the FAWE Project.

It is, however, notable that, like all other institutions and agencies involved in WPP, CSOs have not been spared the politics at the national and community levels, and this is not likely to change soon.

Although it is assumed that the CSOs and partners operate from political neutrality, there are indications that this is not always the case. Their engagement in politics is shaped by the political aspirations and leanings of the CSO leadership and the primary funder. Further, it is important to acknowledge that CSOs are an extension of society – the leadership of some CSOs may not share the values of the extension of women in politics equally.

June 15, 2019

4 Notably, some of the alliances have since closed down due to a lack of resources.