In the modern world, gender equality and women's empowerment are vital tools to realise sustainable development of societies. Still, violence towards women is an epidemic against which no country is immune and today, we face the greater challenge of human rights.
In the last few years, we have seen considerable improvement in women's education in Kenya. More women are coming out of houses and opting for education in colleges. That is the reason why we are seeing many women in top positions. Today we see women CEOs in government and in forces.
But here arises a question, has the empowerment of women resulted in any improvement in women’s lives? The answer is no. Women still face a lot of discrimination, whether they are educated or not.
Obviously, the problem is not with the confidence level gained by education. Education is one way to gain confidence and financial independence. But this is not everything. However, Kenya can change its education system to make it friendlier and a confidence builder for women.
We should encourage the girl child to make decisions from childhood and not force decisions on her. And give deep look into this matter and work for better development of women as we build on other parameters to improve the situation of women.
Studies show that globalisation can help better women’s rights, thus, improving their lot. But the negative impact and publicity are awesome and on reports, they are neatly shown. Still, a change of mentalities and attitudes among women themselves is a crying need of the hour.
While women of developed nations have engaged conscience and consciousness of the world now to serve as engines of progress in their countries, their counterparts in Kenya and/or developing countries spend their precious time despising the good work of fellow women.
And perhaps this is why in general elections very few women cast votes in favour of fellow women, hence, we end up having few women representation in parliament. However, in their struggle, to reduce gender inequality, women have immersed themselves in politics now more than ever and are making headways to prove “sink or swim” until they reach the political shore.
The increased number of women politicians, both civic and parliamentarians, bear witness to this argument. Yet, statistics reveal that politics continues to be a bastion of male domination. Even in countries where women are active in male areas like business, they are disallowed a say.
There is no economic, social, or political development in any society without women playing their rightful role in the community. International and multilateral partnerships have the power to enable, inspire and educate women to successfully participate in societies, economies and politics.
We are working and living increasingly in a world without borders, hence, the exchange of knowledge and experience through intercultural dialogue is absolutely vital in achieving progress and development in our societies.
Meanwhile, we are faced with the hard task of ensuring Vision 2030 is a reality and this development strategy will drag unless women become central players in the game and are included in all policies of peacemaking and reconstruction.
Women suffer disproportionately in this country from domestic violence, sexual slavery and varied assaults that have kept them at bay. Their involvement in Vision 2030 will make them feel like part of this society.
Modern conflicts affect women and girls around the globe yet they’re neither initiators nor prosecutors of conflicts or shouting matches. Determined efforts must be taken to end the impunity surrounding this lamentable claw. And the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
When women prosper, families and communities equally prosper. Promoting the strategic empowerment of women is important to their effective contribution to the global knowledge economy. Our policy must target strengthening education and boosting women's economies.
It is a fact that when educated, the girl child surpasses the economic status of her parents and a middle class is created that is essential to a strong workforce and a stable country.
Through increased access to information, the promotion of cultural diversity, proactive business partnerships and best practices, women can become positive agents of change to move forward an agenda of prosperity and peace in Kenya.
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
