• The group convened by the Political Parties Liaison Committee says BBI proposals step in the right direction.
• They said that there is a need for further agitation for the realisation of the 2/3 gender principle, welcoming the BBI proposals as a step in the right direction.
Women in political parties’ leadership have reawakened their bid for inclusion and active participation in political processes.
Under the women leaders in political parties’ caucus, the women convened at a Nairobi Hotel at the weekend to redefine their role in political processes.
They said that there is a need for further agitation for the realisation of the 2/3 gender principle, welcoming the BBI proposals as a step in the right direction.
They said there was an urgent need for a multi-pronged approach for appropriate legal, policy and institutional interventions to spur their participation.
The meeting was convened by the Office of Registrar of Political Parties with support of Mzalendo - a governance organisation championing for good governance practices by players in political processes.
Women party leaders, chairpersons, deputy vice-chairpersons, secretary generals, executive directors in their respective political parties participated.
They said a lot remains to be done on women participation and inclusion in governance, leadership and political processes in various sectors.
“Through legislative and BBI process, we have managed to make solid proposals towards unlocking challenges that have bedeviled women leadership aspirations across realms of our countries,” Priscillah Nyokabi, a former MP and now NGEC Commissioner, said.
Jane Njiri, Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) women Caucus chairperson, said it was time to debunk the societal-long held attitude towards women in political leaders.
“Let us orient the society to acknowledge the contribution of women in the national agenda,” she said.
PPLC chairperson Irungu Nyakera called for solutions to women leaders’ challenges beyond legislation.
“A county like Murang’a has realized almost a 50-50 political gender representation hence there are lessons we may draw from such as a jurisdiction,” the former PS said.
Judith Sijeny, Wiper secretary general, said: “Women in leadership cannot afford to drop the ball as the struggle has been long, tough.”
“We have faced serious challenges but thankfully have attained some gains in respect to mitigating Gender-Based Violence, elections and/or nominations of a sizeable number of women in political and corporate leadership, some progressive proposals in BBI among others,” she observed.
“We must therefore stay firm, focused, and pull everyone along,” the former Senator added.
The call for enhancement of inclusion of women with disabilities into leadership positions was reiterated.
“Women with special needs and other special interest groups have not been having an enabling environment to actively participate in leadership roles,” said Asura Michael, ODM youth league member and deaf human rights advocate.
“As women leaders, we therefore must redouble our push for our inclusion in key leadership roles for an inclusive and cohesive society,” she appealed.
They acknowledged state and non-state players managing political processes their support towards realization of women leadership aspirations.
“We must continue up scaling respective individual and institutional roles including research; an area Mzalendo is keen on, in order to reach our destination,” said Caroline Gaita, the Executive Director Mzalendo.
“We appreciate government agencies like ORPP and IEBC for the efforts made in monitoring compliance of inclusion of women in political parties,” said Anita Dorothy, the Green Congress Party Executive Director.
Political parties were further called to review their party structures and policy to reflect changing times.
“Parties must lead the way and continue to streamline governance structures, constitutions, nomination rules, party lists among others,” Juliet Murimi, Parties Registrar director of compliance, said.