The requirement that two-thirds of members in all elective and appointive positions are not of the same gender could be achieved if women in Kenya rally behind each other during elections, according to the National Assembly Minority Leader, Junet Mohamed.
While contributing to a motion for the appointment of Gender Cabinet Secretary nominee, Hannah Wendot, Junet emphasized that gender parity is within reach if women actively support and uplift one another. He stated that this solidarity could help dismantle gender barriers and accelerate equality.
“If women could elect each other, they would be the President of this country. But they don’t want to vote for themselves; they only vote for men, and then later turn around and say we are being marginalized. If every woman voted for a woman, we would have achieved the Two-Thirds gender rule,” he said.
Junet pointed out that female voters have been significant contributors to the high number of men in Parliament.
“The votes you can be sure of in your constituency are those of women. Men may pledge their support in the morning, but by the afternoon, they are with your opponent. If a woman assures you that she will vote for you, you can trust that vote,” he explained.
In expressing his support for Wendot’s nomination as Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, and Arts, Junet highlighted the crucial role women play in society and the need to recognize their efforts.
“The issue of associating women with poverty and the belief that any woman who is with a man is a gold digger must stop. This is stereotyping our women. The lives of our women are sacrosanct,” he said.
“There is no life in this life without a woman, and we must all be defenders of women’s rights, whether we are men or women,” he added.
Having been approved for the position, he urged women to unite behind one of their own as they advocate fortheir interests, noting that thus far, women have not fully seized the opportunities available to them compared to men.
“The Minister for Gender should be made a man. I think a man would have served the interests of women better than women themselves. He would have made sure that gender parity is mainstreamed in this country. It looks like women are given opportunity to deal with their matters but they don’t take it seriously,” said Junet
