Eldoret Resident Magistrate Tabitha Mbugua has challenged society to elect more women into leadership positions ahead of the upcoming August 9 General election.
Speaking in Eldoret at a peace stakeholders forum convened by the Rural Women Peace Link, Mbugua has, however, condemned increasing cases of violence meted against women vying for the various political positions.
She also expressed concerns over the use of retrogressive cultural practices hindering women from vying for elective posts.
“We should raise our voices against Gender-Based Violence, especially those seeking elective positions. In modern society, women must have equal opportunities,” said Mbugua.
The Magistrate also insisted on the need to ensure there is peace across the country before, during, and after the August elections.
“We should promote peaceful and cohesive elections in order to provide an enabling environment for women to the campaign,” insisted Mbugua, pointing out that continued discrimination against women should be brought to an end.
She said the community should be sensitized to appreciate the role of women in leadership and that political parties should align policies that support women.
On her part, Registrar of Political Parties Uasin Gishu County Coordinator Hope Nandwa insisted on the need for the 85 fully registered political parties to incorporate special interest groups in the leadership in order to benefit from the 15 percent political parties fund.
“In the current amendment bill, we have had the 15 percent of the political fund directed only to political parties that are sensitive to gender representation, this is a big milestone towards ensuring more women are included in the top decision-making organs,” said Nandwa.
“As we are approaching the international women’s day on 8th March 2022, we as an office are making sure that we hold peace forums to sensitize political parties on the need to have peace as we gear towards elections,” she added.
Other peace actors in Uasin Gishu led by Henry Murray, the Turbo Sub County Peace Committee, noted that women should not be looked down upon in society and that they should be accepted in the various leadership roles.
He said retrogressive cultures aimed at discriminating against women seeking elective positions should not be entertained.
“Women should have a representative role in leadership and be accepted in the society. We should not say that women are unworthy yet we have educated our daughters hoping for them to join the political world,” Murray said.
