It is the expectation of Kenyan women that the Building Bridges Initiative report will be gender-sensitive, three ODM female MPs said on Sunday.
Esther Pasaris (Nairobi Woman Rep), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay Woman Rep) and Lillian Gogo (Rangwe) said many women would be more empowered should BBI address gender inequality.
They were addressing a fundraiser for more than 600 women traders in Ndhiwa constituency.
The BBI task force was formed after the March 9, 2018, handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga. It is finalising its report after collecting views from Kenyans before handing it over to the principals before the end of the month.
“Women are the majority in Kenya but they can’t easily access opportunities as their opposite gender due to bad laws. We believe the BBI report will address the issue,” Pasaris said.
The legislators were hosted by Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino who appealed to his male colleagues to support women in their endeavour to achieve the gender equation.
“Kenya has more chances of ending the poverty cycle when both genders get equal opportunities,” Owino said, adding that that is why his office organised the funds drive to uplift the economic growth of women.
Wanga and Gogo said women empowerment translate to the majority of Kenyans accessing more services such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund.
“Women perform many roles in households and that is why there is a need to be empowered. A penny given to a woman is more likely to benefit a family and society,” Wanga said.
Gogo said women representatives will not continue to push for allocation of more affirmative action funds should the BBI report consider their views.
“More opportunities for women equal to women economic growth for the country,” she said.
Pasaris encouraged the more than 600 women to venture in businesses.
“You can form groups and develop saccos to enable you access loans,” she said.
