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    "id": 600704,
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    "content": "things that we can do. Therefore, it is something which we have to continue to encourage for our girls and boys at community level and also as a country. Secondly, we also have to appreciate that this is not just a problem that is in Kenya or in the developing world. We have visited some of the democracies that have been there for long like the United States of America (USA). We would have imagined that they have gone way ahead on issues to do with gender equality. It is still surprising that up to date, we still see once in a while, the first woman to be this or that and the first black woman to be the Attorney-General (AG). Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is interesting when you read a book called “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook . She says that women in senior positions around the globe still face some of the challenges that we face here in our country. She gave a story of how she once went to one of the big companies and found herself the only woman there. Later when she asked for the ladies, everybody just looked so surprised. So, she asked: “Is it that there has never been another woman who has come here or all the women who have come here have never asked for the ladies?” Madam Temporary Speaker, we know how we all struggled to just carry our handbags and wear our beautiful trouser suits and come to Parliament. The struggle continues. Even in small things in our communities, in our society, we can just tell that we have come a long way to appreciate women being in different sectors and becoming managers, managing directors and chief executive officers. However, even with the strides that have been made from the recommendations that are here and what all my colleagues have said, is that we still have a long way to go as a country. It is also surprising that as a country, we have done so well in different fronts. We are celebrated and have been given accolades in so many other ways. For example, in our democratic space in the freedoms that we enjoy in our country in terms of economic progression and enacting a progressive Constitution that has opened up so much, I do not want us to remain behind on one issue, which is making sure that both genders are treated equally, with equal space and environment for all. Madam Temporary Speaker, Sir, I know that there are many arguments that have been fronted several times, especially when we want to either discourage women or just create reasons why we cannot open up the space for women leadership. It has been said many times that women make over 50 per cent of the population in this country and questioned why we do not vote for each other. There are many other stereotypes and arguments that have been fronted. The new Constitution comes with all the affirmative seats but we have seen that it is still a subject for discussion and debate among our communities even for a woman to run now. Some women are willing to be governors, senators and Members of the National Assembly that we have made almost a preserve of men but we are now told: “Ala! You have your preserved seat of Women Representative.” I think that is something that is slowly getting into our communities. Today, I would like to categorically say that it is only fair that both genders – it is just that men are unfortunate that they cannot go for the women’s seat –should have the right and space to run for whichever political position. It is unfortunate if any of us would The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}