Inuka, UN take views to boost women participation in governance

Women's participation in political leadership and decision-making is gaining momentum in Homa Bay following the ongoing collection of views from the community.

Inuka Community Developers Network in partnership with United Nations (UN) Women Kenya Gender and Governance and Media Focus on Africa (MFA) are collecting views to bridge the gender gap in leadership.

Kenyan women have been struggling to be on top of the employment pyramid but most of them are facing hurdles in getting there.

The Inuka which is a community-based organization is trying to reverse the trend after it introduced an initiative meant to impact future elections and give more women a chance to be elected.

They are taking views on how to address challenges such as poverty at the household level, cultural beliefs that affect women (gender discrimination), violence and insecurity during campaigns among others.

Inuka programs director Lydia Hongo, UN Women Kenya programs analyst Helen Muchunu and MFA country director Horizon Manga said they are looking for solutions from the community.

Hongo said they meet people from different sectors to give views on how to address the challenges to increase women’s numbers in political leadership and decision-making.

The Luo Council of Elders led by Nyandiko Ongadi was also present. 

“Many participants encourage the male gender to embrace women and support them during political campaigns.  Women are also asked to come out and seek elective positions to increase their participation,” Hongo said.

Speaking after they met at the Rachuonyo youth empowerment and resource centre in Karachuonyo constituency on Tuesday, the officials said women complain that they get sidelined in political leadership and governance.

Kenya as a country is still struggling to implement the two-thirds gender rule as the constitution wants it.

Some of the women are given political appointment promises and nominations that fail to materialize after the election.

Hongo said their focus is on the grassroots to have a paradigm shift on how women should be viewed in society.

During the meeting, participants discussed how women should be economically empowered to give them financial muscles and enhance their participation.

Muchunu said women's political space does not start and end at the ballot and instead, they should rise to leadership positions.

The discussions help the women to share challenges and barriers affecting their political and governance participation.

“The discussion is around giving women equal chances in governance. We’re cascading the conversation from the national to the community level with the objectives of shifting social perception about women in leadership,” Muchunu said.

Homa Bay residents were commended for electing more women to leadership positions in the last election.

The county is headed by Governor Gladys Wanga and other four women MPs. The MPs include Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul) and Joyce Osogo (woman rep).

UN Women Kenya encourages voters in Homa Bay to continue building on the gains that they made in the last election to advance women's space in political leadership.

“It is also prudent for other counties to emulate Homa Bay by electing more women in leadership,” she added.

Manga expressed concerns that the place of women in leadership may continue to reduce should society fail to embrace them.

He called for a change of attitude to enhance the chances of women ascending to leadership positions.

“Bringing people together and challenging them to think of what we can do to make a change in women's leadership is a step worth celebrating. The change we are looking at will become a reality,” Manga said.

Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga and gender executive Sarah Malit said the county government is putting measures to empower women economically.

Magwanga called for the employment of teenage girls so that they do not become prey to social vices.

“We’re committed to supporting agendas meant to promote the rights of women and girls,” Magwanga said.