The absence of women’s voices in decisions which affect their lives is not only a problem for women but for society.
This, in most cases, can be seen as a sign of unjust power relations between men and women.
In Kenya, the two-thirds gender rule has been a discussion for quite some time.
In the 2017 elections, 172 of the 1,883 elected seats in Kenya were held by women, up from 145 after the 2013 elections.
But ahead of 2022, some women aspirants are still struggling to establish themselves. Some have expressed interest in the need for mentorship.
Kisumu’s Kaloleni Central MCA aspirant Mikki Ochieng says women aspirants should be given a platform to exchange ideas.
“Training can help us navigate these murky waters. Getting women coming to leadership positions is hard because there are a lot of insecurities that come with it,” she says.
Mikki, 38, says women aspirants have to ask themselves how prepared they are for the position.
“We need mentoring from female leaders. If we can pick a strategy from them, then we can navigate this male-dominated arena,” she says.
However, she notes that established women do not want young blood.
“The moment you try to get close, all hell will break loose. They feel that you are here to compete with them. So in many cases, it's up to me to find my way to rallies and make sure I am seen and felt,” she says.
“Politics is about mathematics and putting your strategies together. As an aspirant, I am ready for bigger responsibilities. I have what it takes and I will not back down in giving service to my people.”
You will find it harder to protect yourself as compared to men. We also can't compete financially with men. Politics is a form of money that you even pay bills in your sleep
READY TO LEAD
With a background in university leadership, Mikki says she was born ready to lead.
“I have been ready, I have always been ready since this is a talent that comes naturally. When I lost my parents, I was left as the head of the family. That is when I realised I had the leadership in me,” she says.
“The leadership position came with its own challenges, responsibilities and expectations. People would ask you to solve issues. As a female student leader, I would listen and bridge the gap between the students and the administration.”
Mikki says as women aspirants, they are vulnerable since politics is a dirty game.
“You will find it harder to protect yourself as compared to men. We also can't compete financially with men. Politics is a form of money that you even pay bills in your sleep," she says.
The 2017 general election marked the first time in Kenya’s history, women were elected to serve as governors and senators.
A report published by the National Democratic Institute and the Federation of Women Lawyers in 2018 indicates that 29 per cent more women ran for office than in the previous election — a fact that led to the largest number of women ever seated at all levels of government.
BREAKING THE CEILING
Zara Rashid, an aspirant for Imara Daima says it's been hard to get where she is.
She was a nominated MCA in Mandera but now she aspires to vie for the Imara Daima position in the 2022 elections.
“As women, we have challenges in changing how people think about us. Trying to get that space for women is really hard. I am Muslim and the way our people think is quite different from what others think,” she said.
Rashid, 34, says Islamic laws were strict and that the only savior for those laws was the 2010 constitution.
“It made it easier because they did not think that women could lead. They did not realise what men can do, women can also do,” she says.
"There were issues of stereotypes around how women are supposed to be home and not be heard, how women cannot speak in front of men."
Being a leader, she says, gives the Muslim community an opportunity to think differently.
Female leaders can guide us and tell us how to do things differently. Let them provide a platform and a chance to have a one-on-one session with them so we can learn
Rashid says established female leaders can be mentors to the women aspirants.
“They can guide us and tell us how to do things differently. Let them provide a platform and a chance to have a one-on-one session with them so we can learn,” she says.
“Let them inculcate the culture of leadership. As aspirants, we really need someone to guide us. They have been there for quite a long time. They have learnt a lot. Let them teach us.”
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Rashid says leaders can teach them how to deal with issues of sexual harassment, body-shaming and being a single mother.
“You know as women, you always have to prove yourselves on platforms. So if we have people holding our hands in the political arena, it would really help,” she says.
Wan-Ifra Women in News Africa director Jane Godia says women who will be vying for political positions must be careful because there will be so many instances of being asked for sexual favours.
“The favours will be in exchange for things like a party nomination ticket or being cheated that they will be connected with the party leader or even being told of an express ticket,” she says.
But Rashid notes that even learning about sexual harassment and how to deal with men has its own challenges.
“Women leaders feel that we are a threat to them and in most cases, they feel that we are coming to steal something from them, which is not true,” she says.
Rashid says women leaders should not feel as if they are coming to take over.
“We just want to learn from the best. It's a matter of uplifting your fellow women in the political atmosphere,” she says.
WAY THROUGH
Godia, who comes from a male-dominated industry, says being the best is no easy feat.
“One must be able to draw a line on how they relate with colleagues. Be careful so you are not the woman who will be picked and dropped. Try to ensure it’s genuine love if the person is a colleague,” she says.
“If not, one runs the risk of being used and dumped. It is also good to look into requests that come your way because they can be many but speak with your head more.”
She says she came across challenges but notes the difference is how you deal with them.
“In life, there are challenges. And these are also found in the workplace. If you know what you are doing, you will survive. Remove the vocabulary of giving up in your agenda and find a way around the barriers and challenges on your way. Nobody ever said it’s going to be easy,” she says.
Godia said women aspirants must be careful at all times.
“The women who will be vying for political positions must be careful because there will be so many instances of being asked for sexual favours,” she says.
“These are instances that women have experienced before. Women must be careful and again use their heads to make political decisions.”
She says sex in exchange for political benefits should never happen.
“Once a woman enters the political arena, her interactions and decisions must be clearly thought out,” she adds.
Sustainable Development Goals 5 aims to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
HELPING HAND
First-time MP Lilian Gogo (Rangwe) made it to where she is by riding on the coattails of influential people.
“I used to hang around big people like Homa Bay MP Gladys Wanga. If you are vying and not visible, then how will you win the hearts of your people?” she said.
Ahead of the elections in 2017, her party leader Raila Odinga was going to have a rally in Homa Bay.
“I did not get the invite. However, I took the strides alone. I just wore my clothes and decided that today, I had to be seen,” she says.
Speaking funnily while demonstrating the occurrences of that day, Gogo says she walked together with Wanga despite the security being tight.
“I was there with her. I held a piece of her clothes despite the push and pull that was there. I knew what I wanted,” she said.
As Wanga walked towards Raila, Gogo was also there with her, side by side. You could think she was her bodyguard.
“I did all this to be seen even if not to be heard. And with this strategy, I was able to shake hands with Jakom and introduce myself in those few seconds I got,” she said.
Gogo says women aspirants can be uplifted in many ways.
“We need to encourage them and have a tête-à-tête with them. We need to tell them that we need women leaders. The way things are, opportunities have never been better,” she said.
“We have to make them visible. My initiative is that when I have events around me, I encourage them to come and talk. I call them and invite them. If there are national events, I tag them along.”
But she says each aspirant should be their own person, adding that aspirants should use both hard and soft skills to tackle issues.
“Don’t copy-paste other politicians' ways of doing things. Look at yourself and what you want. What is your mission and where do you want to be? Just go and customise your own vision,” she says.
