The Centre for Multiparty Democracy yesterday called for the implementation of the famous two-thirds gender rule in party nominations.
The CMD said the rule should be integrated into political party constitutions and electoral and nomination rules.
It said to fix the problems related to gender mainstreaming in structures and systems, all parties should nominate at least 30 per cent women candidates for all positions, especially in their strongholds, where they have higher chances of winning seats.
The organisation met senior leaders of political parties ahead of party nominations.
CMD-Kenya acknowledged that gender equality in political leadership and representation is a constitutional and human rights requirement. Participants said they will work towards increasing the number of women in elective positions through affirmative action, such as waivers on nomination fees and campaign support.
Aspiring Kirinyaga governor Martha Karua recognised the gains made under laws such as the Campaign Financing Act. She recommended they increase the participation of women candidates by creating equal platforms for campaign spending.
Karua said despite the gains, much remains to be done to achieve the constitutional threshold of the two-thirds gender principle. She urged all women hopefuls to consider party choices that will most likely promote their aspirations to compete and win seats.
“The quest for inclusion of women in politics has been a long journey and a significant feat has been achieved. We are calling on the women of Kenya to arise, as we offer our support for women in leadership,” Karua said.
CMD-Kenya chairman Omingo Magara acknowledged that political parties have a role to play in promoting women’s representation in leadership.
The parties present undertook to nominate at least 30 per cent of the candidates to run for political office in their strongholds, through competitive processes. The political parties said they will also adopt the Zebra Model, alternating the genders in their party lists and ensuring women are at the top of their list.
“We, however, face a number of challenges that hinder us from making meaningful strides to mainstream gender equity. Some of those challenges include lack of political goodwill to implement existing legal frameworks like the two-thirds gender rule,” Omingo said.