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{
    "id": 485364,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/485364/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 373,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I worked with the Federation of Women Lawyers. I was once the chairperson of the Coalition on Violence against Women. I was also the founder of The Cradle - The Children’s Foundation. For many years, I dealt with a lot of cases of domestic violence. I even buried some of my clients who were killed as a consequence of domestic violence. Therefore, this is not a theoretical issue but a real issue. Even when we are talking about the statistics, I was actually traumatised when I encountered these cases. I grew up as a child of a single parent; having lost my father very early. Therefore, I did not know about the role of fathers in homes for a long time. I married very late because of horrors that I was witnessing and dealing with; those cases which were coming to FIDA. I know a lot of people would tell you that these are exceptional cases that come. They are not exceptional cases if you look at the number of women that line up in organisations like FIDA that deal with cases of domestic violence. I know it is not just a woman’s issue alone, there are also men who are battered and because of cultural issues, very many men do not want to talk about it. That is why I am happy and, indeed, it is amazing that at this point in the year 2014, we can stand here and talk very openly about it. The House is not in any acrimonious set up. We can talk sensibly to each other and I am very happy. When I first dealt with a very serious case of domestic violence, which was of a Maasai lady called Agnes Syonkai Risa--- I am happy, if we can pass this Bill it would be a very good honour to her. She is a sister to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). When I first dealt with that case, it hit international news. I was interviewed by international media almost four times or, five international media organizations interviewed me per day; CNN and BBC. People came from all over the world and the reason was that a woman went and reported that her husband beat her. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the year 2014 is not that outrageous that women can report that they have been beaten by their husbands and that men can report that they have been beaten by their wives. We have Maendeleo ya Wanaume. Therefore, indeed, we have progressed a lot over the years. That is why I am happy. The case I am referring to even found itself at international human rights course book. When I went to New York University, I was told to look at the case I handled. I am very happy that we are discussing this issue. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, one of the things that I would want to suggest in terms of proposed amendments by the Committee--- I would encourage my friend, hon. David, to let the Chairman listen because I know the Committee has proposed certain amendments. For those who have dealt with the issue of domestic violence, there is something called the wheel of violence. In that wheel, you will find aspects of emotional, psychological and economic violence. Therefore, let us not trivialize those issues. There is a very prominent Kenyan personality whose House we were called to. It was very difficult because even when we were trying to intervene we could not access the house because this man had the protection of the State and he had a gun. For years he kept his wife locked up in a house. She was a white woman. We had to get a court order to break into that house to get the woman out. If you could hear the things that happen behind closed doors, it is amazing. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}