Gender PS Veronica Nduva has called for continued commitment to the realisation of two-thirds gender principle following the appointment of the multi-sectoral working group on the attainment of gender equity in the country.
Speaking during a consultative forum for the realisation of the principle, Nduva called on stakeholders to make recommendations that uphold the Constitution and promote gender equality and women empowerment.
"The President is committed that women empowerment and women leadership is a priority of the administration and this begins with the realisation of the two-thirds gender principle. Let our stakeholder engagement be as inclusive as possible leaving no one behind," she said.
Article 27(8) of the Constitution that establishes the principle requires that “not more than two-thirds of the members of elective or appointive bodies shall be of the same gender”.
The composition of the working group had been criticised for failing to meet the same principle it aims to achieve.
The team had 17 members and six joint secretaries but only three were men – one member and two joint secretaries.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has since amended the composition of the team to reflect the principle.
The new team comprises 25 members and six joint secretaries, ten of whom are men – eight members and 2 joint secretaries.
PS Nduva and Daisy Amdany are the co-chairs.
The working group is mandated to draft a legislative proposal for consideration by the 13th Parliament on the implementation of the two-thirds gender principle.
PS Nduva reminded the stakeholders present at the forum held at Kempensiki hotel on Monday that their engagement with the process will not end with the submission of the final report.
She urged the team to use their individual, institutional and professional influence to lobby key institutions that will be instrumental during the parliamentary process.
"Please remember that we represent broad collective and representative interests so let us all hold ourselves to account and ensure full consultation and collaborative commitment to the process," the PS said.
The working group's co-chair Daisy Amdany called for the actualisation of the Constitution through the two-thirds gender principle to ensure governance is inclusive.
"We appreciate the political goodwill from the government led by H.E and the Ministry of Public Service in supporting this initiative that will see us promote inclusion and to help us bring in marginalised groups," she said.
