The Beijing +25 Africa Review meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, taught me several lessons and opened my eyes to a lot of realities that got me questioning.
One of those questions was, why is it that years after the Beijing Conference, implementation of well-thought-out policies never seem to see the light of day? This is not a problem unique to Kenya but Africa as well.
In an Africa Civil Society Statement presented by Memory Kachambwa, executive director of FEMNET (African Women’s Development and Communication Network), she asked governments and state parties to recommit themselves to gender equality by giving sustainable financial resources regularly and to strengthen their gender machinery.
States were also strongly urged to actively promote the transformation of negative social norms, harmful cultural beliefs and gender stereotypes, which often legitimise and exacerbate inequality, particularly in addressing violence against women and their exclusions from socioeconomic spheres.
As the civil society organisations were holding their meetings, ministers and other state stakeholders were deliberating. A declaration was later adopted after deliberations; the ministers also agreed that changing negative stereotypes and social and cultural norms is a game-changer for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
They also noted that there was need to implement the 50-50 principle affirmative action and quota system for increased participation of women in politics and decision-making. On this Kenya is lagging behind, while her neighbours seem to be way ahead.
According to a report by Equal Measures 2030, Rwanda’s parliament has 61 percent women. South Africa and Senegal follow closely at 42 percent. These countries rank among the top 10 in the Sustainable Development Goal Gender Index in terms of women in parliament. Kenya must ask herself why implementing the two-thirds gender principle seems easier for countries such as Rwanda compared to her. What is the Kenyan leadership not doing right?
Last week Nairobi hosted the ICPD25 forum. The meeting met dogged resistance. The controversy, however, was a non-issue. More worrying is the fact that little that is discussed in such large meetings is later implemented.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, for instance, said his leadership is committed to eliminating child marriage and violence against women, as well as reducing maternal deaths. He said his government will ensure female genital mutilation ends with his generation. The jury is still out on that.
Other speakers also committed to ending the vices women and girls face. No question about that.
The bigger question is why are governments so quick to commit but not to act on their promises? Is it because some of these commitments, or most, don’t have timelines? Or is it because there is a lack of consequence for non-implementation? If so, what needs to be done?
Meanwhile, as the heads of states and government officials continue to dilly dally, the United Nations Populations Fund notes that 800 girls and women are dying daily during pregnancy or childbirth while one in five women worldwide is experiencing gender violence. As if that’s not enough, FGM refuses to go away, with more than four million girls being cut annually.
In the Beijing +25 Africa Review and ICPD25 forums, leaders committed to do better for their countries. We need to go beyond the speeches and act.
Like Kachambwa aptly noted, “It is time that the rhetoric stopped. We need action right now.” We need political goodwill to ensure implementation of what is committed on the world stage. Perhaps it is time to have someone policing countries on their commitments.
Communications consultant and actress
