- Mwikali said MPs should enact laws that are gender inclusive and responsive to the interests of the special interest groups.
- Mwikali further noted that lack of adequate funding has hampered their efforts to effectively deliver on their mandate.
Image: HANDOUT
National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called on the House to enact legislation that will enhance gender equality to enable a fair and just society.
Commission chairperson Joyce Mwikali, who paid a courtesy call to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangβula, said laws passed by the House need to be gender inclusive.
βSince 2018, we have submitted more than 229 memoranda on various Bills. We are keen to ensure that legislations are gender inclusive and fairly balanced,β said Dr Mwikali
Mwikali presented π‘βπ πΏππππ πππ‘ππ£π π»πππππππ ππ ππππππππππ ππ πΈππ’ππππ‘π¦ πππ πππ- π·ππ ππππππππ‘πππ, to the Speaker, which she said is a tool developed to provide MPs with basic checklist and standards for drafting legislative instruments that are gender sensitive.
She added that the book will also help MPs enact laws that are gender specific, inclusive and responsive to the interests of the special interest groups.
The Speaker commended the commission for taking a lead role in ensuring gender and equality mainstreaming in the operations of the country.
He noted that the institution of Parliament has a great responsibility as it carries the face of the country where all regions are represented by elected legislators.
βParliament is the face of the country. All constituencies are represented here. There have been progressive efforts in achieving the Two Third Gender rule which is highly supported by the government of the day,β said the Speaker.
Wetang'ula highlighted opportunities for collaborations and partnerships between the commission and the National Assembly on legislation and peer knowledge exchange saying that they will effectively address the needs and challenges faced by special interest groups among them children, Persons with Disabilities, women and the youth.
Mwikali urged Parliament to embrace the use of braille technology and sign language to ensure that all persons are involved in the legislative process.
βMr. Speaker, it is important that people living with disability are considered and included in legislative matters. They also should be involved during public participation and following of plenary matters,β she said.
Mwikali further noted that lack of adequate funding has hampered their efforts to effectively deliver on their mandate.
The commission's responsibility as stipulated in the NGEC Act No. 15 of 2021 is to champion the rights of all Kenyan citizens, with a special emphasis on marginalised groups.