'Women have bigger role in nation building'

National Assembly's Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso has challenged women to play a proactive role in development issues.

Dr Laboso (pictured) said women should cease being passive participants in debates on how to take the country forward.

Speaking when she inspected a Sh13 million library constructed courtesy of Sotik Constituency Development Fund at Sotik town, she said women form a large percentage of voters but unfortunately, they passively follow as major decisions on their livelihoods are made.
“It is clear that for development to be realised faster, there is need for women to contribute positively in nation building,” said Laboso.

Laboso said the campaign to empower women and girls will not be successful if women accept to play second fiddle.

“Kenya may not realise much development if women, who form 60 per cent of the population, fail to contribute in nation building and debates,” she said while calling on educated women to motivate girls in schools.

The deputy speaker accused the Opposition of using the proposed sugar deal with Uganda to seek political sympathy.

Speaking at a vernacular radio talk show yesterday, she said the Opposition was playing politics at the expense of the ailing sugar industry, saying it does not appreciate State's effort to revive Mumias Sugar Company.