Women leaders push for deputy president position
MYWO national chairperson Rahab Muiu (third left) with treasurer Susan Owino (centre) join other members at an event in Kisumu in March last year. Governor Charity Ngilu has challenged the organisation to use its numerical strength to push for equal representation at the executive and parliament.
What you need to know:
- Women leaders have embarked on a campaign to lobby for the nomination of a female running mate by leading presidential candidates in the 2022 General Election.
- Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh, called on political parties to embrace affirmative action to enhance gender equality push in the country.
A section of women leaders have embarked on a campaign to lobby for the nomination of a female running mate by leading presidential candidates in the 2022 General Election.
Led by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, the leaders vowed to ensure women do not settle for less.
“We want the executive arm of government to be 50-50 in terms of gender representation after next year’s election. We should tell the leading presidential candidates to give the deputy president position to a woman since they deserve it and are capable,” said Ms Ngilu.
The governor spoke during the annual Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) general meeting in Nairobi last week. She challenged the organisation to use its numerical strength to push for equal representation at the executive and parliament.
Gender equity
“You have a membership of more than four million and should use that as your springboard and negotiation tool to ensure gender equity in representation in the arms of government,” she said.
Ms Ngilu called on the male presidential candidates to recognise and appreciate women leadership.
Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh, called on political parties to embrace affirmative action to enhance gender equality push in the country.
“We will not tire to tell the men that affirmative action does not mean giving women free things but to help raise women’s participation in leadership,” Ms Shebesh said.
Retired bishop Citam Church David Oginde, called for action on the plight of the boy child before the situation gets out of hand.
“We got into the empowerment of the girl child and forgot the boy child along the way. Now, we have a situation where we have empowered girls who want husbands but cannot get them,” said Mr Oginde, observing that the kind of man society has known for a long time will become extinct if no action is taken.
Red flag
National chairperson MYWO Rahab Muiu, promised to ensure the issue is addressed.
“MYWO will focus on the empowerment of the boy child to ensure they too, are not left behind,” said Muiu.
Public Service and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia recently raised the red flag over the neglect of the boy child.
She called for inclusivity in the empowerment of both boys and girls. The CS said society has given the girl child a lot of focus forgetting the boys, a thing she said needs to be rectified.
