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{
    "id": 1371888,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1371888/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 255,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orwoba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "It seems that we just come here to discuss, debate and talk. However, what we do here is important in shaping the mindset of those who think that it is okay to encourage our young boys and men out there to continue killing women and girls of Kenya. While the debate might not have an immediate impact, we need to start talking about what needs to be done. We have not even gotten to a place where we talk about things we need to do as a society. I believe that conversation needs to start here in Parliament, led by legislators who have been put in this space to ensure that we represent the women and the girls of this country. Just before this debate started, a couple of male Senators were asking whether they are coming to discuss issues of women and I told them no. I said we are not going to discuss issues of women; we are going to discuss issues of lives of Kenyans because women, just like men, are citizens of this country with equal rights. So, it is not just issues of women. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, each and every life that we have lost because of femicide is equivalent to a life that we lost because of war, floods or natural causes. A life lost is a life lost; it cannot be brought down to that - it is a life lost because of femicide or Airbnb. Those are the things that we need to change, starting with this House, that is not discussing issues of women. It discusses issues of national importance. I have said this before on different platforms. Even as I second this Motion, every time that we stand up to talk about the gender agenda, the first thing that is assumed is that it is the women again coming to force us to give them things. It is the women again coming to tell us that now we must stop thinking about the boys and stop thinking about the men and just support the girl child. I urge my fellow Senators to remember that these women and girls are our sisters, our children, potentially future wives and business partners. As women, we are also doing business and contributing to this economy. Therefore, when we are here to discuss matters on how to end femicide, it is not an issue of a woman’s affair; it is an issue of ensuring that every Kenyan, man or woman, is equally respected. I can see I am running out of time. As I second this Motion, I look forward to an amendment that touches on the police force, particularly the gender desk, to make them effective. As we debate today, I urge my fellow Senators to remember that we are not attacking men and boys, but we are trying to address an issue that is targeted towards our women and our girls and that has to be spoken about particularly in this House. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to second this Motion and thank you, Sen. Crystal Asige, for ensuring that we are intentional about discussing this matter. I hope that we will legislate on issues of GBV."
}