Rejected gender bill missed key inputs

Over the last week or so, Kenyans have been treated to interesting happenings in Parliament over the Gender Bill.

Many must be wondering about the high interest the bill seems to have generated. Reports that the Leader of Majority pleaded with MPs to pass it yet it still failed to sail through, made news. Why was it so important for the Government that the bill sails through and why didn’t the majority of the MPs support it?

There seems to have been some misgivings about the provisions contained in the bill. The loud silence by civil society and women groups passes a subtle message to all concerned. The fate of the Gender Bill provides us with valuable lessons on how to handle the gender concerns in this country.

One issue raised by the dissenting voices is the misconception that having more women MPs in Parliament will automatically mean that the lives of Kenya’s women folk will improve. Women MPs could have done the bill a great service by explaining in very simple terms its impact. They could also have explained how an increase in their numbers would help in the passage of crucial bills that help the country as a whole and not necessarily one gender.

Any bill that fails to show its direct impact to the citizens, especially one perceived to be favouring one group over another, will not see the light of day. Have the MPs reviewed an audit of the various funds set aside for women? What about expanding the 30 per cent affirmative action rule to include the private sector? Are there any plans to grow women into leadership positions to equip them with skills needed to make an impact in positions of political leadership? It may be wise to develop long-term plans grow women from the grassroots so that we have more women vying for positions.

We need to drive initiatives in each ministry to empower women. The implementation of the one third affirmative action rule in procurement promised to bring about significant progress for the fairer gender. The women parliamentarians would do well to delve into whether this has been the case.

The impact of women on boards should also be looked at to see whether there has been any significant difference made by the presence of the women. Are women able to join influential board committees or are they relegated to ‘flower girl’ status? Answers to these questions would possibly have a greater impact on the growth of women as opposed to the creation of special seats for women.

So let us bring out a gender bill that can be implemented, measured, monitored, evaluated and turned into stories of the difference made in Kenyans’ lives. This will sure see the light of day.