PHOTO:[COURTESY]
Fourteen years have elapsed since Kenya’s 2010 Constitution established the two-thirds gender rule, yet, its full implementation remains elusive. Women civil society organizations, politicians, legislators, and the media continue highlighting persistent barriers and delays.
On August 23, 2024, the Freedom Café, a collaborative event organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF)-Kenya and the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for advancing women’s empowerment and expediting the implementation of Kenya’s Two-Thirds Gender Rule.
Ann Ireri, the keynote speaker at the event, addressed the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Kenya. She highlighted the role of Gen Z in promoting accountability and transparency and called for a shift in narrative to more seriously address women’s issues.
“The Gen Z movement has brought a renewed quest for accountability and transparency,” said Ireri. “To realize the promise for women, we must also address broader issues affecting our democracy.”
In her speech, Queenter Mbori advocated for a multi-faceted approach involving media, civil society, and policymakers. She reaffirmed AMWIK’s commitment to amplifying women’s voices in the media and emphasized, “The path to achieving the two-thirds gender role requires a concerted effort among all stakeholders,”
Stefan Schott reiterated that the Two-Thirds Gender Rule is crucial for achieving balanced representation in political and decision-making positions.
“Today’s Freedom’s Café offers an opportunity to reflect on these challenges, explore strategies to fast track the adoption of the two-thirds gender rule, and reaffirm our commitment to gender equality as a cornerstone in our democracy,” remarked Schott.
Mustapha Dumbuya, Deputy Director for African Programs and Journalists for Human Rights, highlighted the severe underrepresentation of women in Kenyan media noting that women make up only 19% of media representation. He emphasized that women are often depicted in cases of rape or femicide rather than being celebrated for their achievements. “The media does not provide women with the opportunity to be recognized for their successes,” said Dumbuya.
Prof. Nancy Booker, Associate Professor and the Dean at the Graduate School of Media and Communications, emphasized Academia’s critical role in advancing gender equality in and shaping public discourse. She advocated for initiatives such as offering fellowships, mentorship programs, and gender-focused training. Prof. Booker called for the establishment of gender desks in both police stations and newsrooms to ensure comprehensive support and representation for women.
