Duale leads male MPs in marking International Women's Day at Parliament

Celebrations to mark International Women's Day 2016.
Celebrations to mark International Women's Day 2016.

Male MPs thronged Parliament on International Women's Day in a show of solidarity with their female counterparts who staged a colourful celebration.

They outshone their female counterparts at the Wednesday event

that was

filled with pomp, colour and excitement.

The

Kenya Women Parliamentary Association organised the event that took place at Parliament gardens just behind the National Assembly chambers.

Kewopa

sought to mobilise male MPs in a "pledge for parity" by supporting the realisation of the two-thirds gender rule.

Majority leader Adan Duale led the male MPs in appending their signatures and assuring women parliamentarians of a fair and fruitful debate on the gender bill.

Other male parliamentarians who attended were

Nominated MP Oburu Oginga, ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire, and MPs Malulu Injendi (Malava), Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok North) and Sakwa Bunyasi (Nambale).

Kewopa chairperson and Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire said the event was part of a series of activities to lobby support for the rule.

The gender bill will be discussed in the House later in March.

"The decision to involve our male colleagues acknowledges that building a gender-equitable society requires social transformation, which requires all members of society - women and men - to work towards that goal," Mbarire said.

Nyeri woman representative Priscilla Nyokabi said:

"We recognise their contribution and their pledge this day presents the kind of leadership we need in this country."

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