Gender equality is necessary for real growth

Kenyan public opinion has for long been united on the topic of economic growth. More specifically, we have been divided on what role women should play in bringing it about. But it seems that while Kenyans would like to enjoy the economic benefits that a modern nation-state provides, a substantial portion would rather leave societal norms unchanged.

To date, one of the most important questions about our transition into a newly-industrialised middle-income country remains whether we, the people, will be able to reconcile our long-standing cultural heritage with the modernising process required to guarantee a better future. Women’s rights are central to this question.

Most recently, the insistence on preserving Kenya’s prevalent socio-cultural practices with regard to women was reiterated by a group of community elders and religious leaders. During their conversation with President Uhuru Kenyatta, the group demanded that foreign ideologies, such as sex education and the use of contraceptives, should not be propagated during the recent International Conference on Population and Development.

Some religious groups are at the forefront of advocating maintenance of the traditional role of women in society. While religious groups are supportive of the Government’s efforts to raise standards of living, they do not perceive women’s sexual and reproductive rights as integral to this process.

They are evidently mistaken and should not see them as negating the Christian morality and ethics that defined our history during the past few centuries.

Difficult position

The Government thus finds itself in a difficult position. One of the unintended, but unavoidable consequences of the social change and development we have experienced during the Jubilee administration is increased tension surrounding values issues.

It is crucial that the general population plays an active role in spreading the word that traditionalism and women’s rights are not mutually exclusive terms. Working towards the latter is crucial for guaranteeing real economic progress.

On the one hand, women’s rights do not undermine traditional ideals. Educating girls as well as boys about sexual practices in school facilitates would help raise a more moral and, very importantly, healthier generation.

Instead of shielding people from the discussion, the Church should be involved in drafting educational programmes, making sure that the youth are encouraged to lead ethical lives as minors, as well as grow up to start healthy families as adults.

Discouraging families from marrying off their daughters and urging them not to have children at an early age would not entail a decrease in the number of marriages and new families. If anything, guaranteeing that women are provided with information about starting families at an age which is appropriate for them, and making sure they can access pre-and post-natal care across the country, would inspire them to truly embody the ideals the Church stands for without any fear or insecurity.

On the other hand, sexual and reproductive rights are intimately linked to women’s participation and economic performance. The United Nations continues to stress that women’s economic empowerment boosts productivity and economic diversification, thereby facilitating a country’s economic independence in international markets.

UN Women estimates that countries that fail to realise gender equality in both legal and practical terms risk losing up to 15 per cent of their GDP. That is staggering.

While Kenya has made tremendous progress in enshrining the equality of women in a legal sense, it continues to struggle to translate this into practice. According to data, Kenyan mothers’ mean age at first birth is still relatively low-20.3 years. Female educational attainment and literacy levels remain at a considerably lower level than those of men.

It is easy to see how the two issue areas are linked when we think about the limitations young women face once they are required to start a family at a young age.

Not only are young girls at a much higher risk of dying while pregnant or during childbirth, they are also prevented from pursuing further education, often a necessary condition for successfully participating in the job market.

The right to education and the use of contraceptives ensures that women — as well as their spouses — have a choice about when to start a family. This would undoubtedly contribute to better planning from an economic point of view as well by helping families maintain a consistent and balanced budget.

Our vision for 2030 is to build an economically prosperous country. Anyone who truly supports this goal must realise that the recognition of women’s equality in society is imperative in achieving this.

Ms Wangari is the Member of Parliament for Gilgil.