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{
    "id": 25062,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/25062/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1091,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ms. Karua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 166,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari Karua",
        "slug": "martha-karua"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Chairlady, I wish to second the amendment and remind Members that the majority will have their way, but the minority must have their say. I intend to contribute robustly and profusely to this amendment. This is a very well thought out amendment. It is replicating what was in the Political Parties Act, 2007, that any political party that does not fulfill the gender quota gets a reduced funding. This is a way of penalizing political parties to help Kenya to develop by integrating women in leadership and decision making. We know that the Scandinavian countries which have integrated this principle have the highest, not just life expectancy, but the well being and better life for its citizens. Countries develop faster when they include both men and women in decision making. Even this Parliament, if the Members were to be honest, they will see that the contributions of the few women have taken it far. Even the Cabinet, minus the women, might also crumble. Madam Temporary Deputy Chairlady, we are saying that even in the rural homes, without the women, the homes will collapse. Many of the Members here should recognize their mothers as heroes for having brought them up in difficult circumstances. Those are the special qualities that the women will bring into leadership and decision making. We shall not tire to say that it is a tragedy that people who swore to defend the Constitution now sit here to start desecrating the same Constitution by refusing to recognize the principle of gender inclusivity. This is no different from the principle of affirmative action in monetary matters. We should be able to stand and say that when you give the marginalized regions more money, we are discriminating against the other regions but then the Constitution allows affirmative action to redress historical injustices. Women have been marginalised for centuries. This is the time to do affirmative action for women. We are, therefore, asking for the support of this House; for sobriety in debate and we are telling the women of Kenya: “Look at your Members of Parliament. They will only appreciate you when you are campaigning for them. They appreciate you as work horses in your parties, but they do not recognize you as full human beings, equal to them.” This is a notice to women; go to parties that will appreciate you. Look at how your Members are voting here and then understand which Members recognized women as equal citizens of this country. Remember this is the Second Reading. I can talk for the whole evening because it is Second reading."
}