Women MPs meet over domestic violence Bill

Nairobi, Kenya: More than 40 women MPs backed the Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill 2013 and proposed amendments during a meeting in Nairobi.

The Bill, which is being debated by the National Assembly, seeks to provide for the protection and relief of victims of domestic violence.

The MPs met on Tuesday evening to fine-tune the Bill and draft amendments to contentious clauses in a bid to cushion men who are battered by their wives.

Uasin Gishu woman representative Eusilah Ngeny, who attended the meeting, said the Bill is timely and seeks remedy to domestic violence cases.

“Focus has in the past been placed on women, with little emphasis on men who suffer silently in their marriages due to violence meted out by women. Such cases ought to be brought to the limelight through the new Bill,” she said.

Ms Ngeny said the meeting was aimed at harmonising core issues through contributions of MPs, human rights groups and lawyers before the Bill goes through to the third reading.

“It is not girls’ protection that needs to be realised but also the boys who are currently an endangered species. There is need for a law to oversee their right to speak about such vices,” she stated.

Kericho Woman Representative Hellen Chepkwony said the Bill should be amended to provide protection for victims appearing before court.

She said some suffer in silence for fear of being exposed to the public when they appear in court.