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{
    "id": 600637,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/600637/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 210,
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    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "Kenya. We know that the processes that culminated to the women of Kenya agreeing on what was tabled by the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly was the right way, after thorough consultations with the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA). That shows that we consulted in the right way and it is quite encouraging. As we work towards the promise of gender equality embodied in the Constitution, it is my hope that enough women will be elected in Kenya come 2017. I also hope that anybody touching on financial matters will first of all weigh the benefits of economic growth and democracy; the cost of democracy vis-à-vis the little cost of having women. We do not want women to be referred to as just women. Women are leaders, whether elected or selected, representing very big constituencies. It is, therefore, quite hypocritical that when it comes to issues of women, you will see all manner of financial experts brought forward to relate how much women representation will cost the taxpayer, when in our calculations, it relates to less than 0.01 per cent. That is really sad. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, let us remember that the attainment of gender equality and the full participation of women in decision making are key indicators of democracy. We cannot, therefore, pride ourselves as a democratic nation when any issue touching on 51 per cent of the population of this nation is treated lightly and relegated as “a women’s issue.” Let me remind anybody who has that kind of limited and very narrow mental capacity that apart from the fact that women constitute 51 per cent of the population of this nation, interestingly, they have given birth to the other 50 per cent of this nation. I challenge anybody in this Senate that when and if the Bill is passed by the National Assembly--- Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me just one or two minutes to conclude this very important debate."
}