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{
    "id": 648115,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/648115/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 300,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Barua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1529,
        "legal_name": "Ejidius Njogu Barua",
        "slug": "ejidius-njogu-barua"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this important Bill. At the outset, on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Gichugu whom I represent, I support the issue of having more women in all elective institutions like the National Assembly, the Senate and the county assemblies. This is a good idea because when we have many women participating in debates that shape this nation, it is obvious that a larger section of the community will be represented. The views of women at the grassroots will be put on board, and also the views of the children who are taken care of by women. I support the idea of increasing women representatives in various institutions to one- third and above. As I support this Bill, I want to state categorically that the purpose of this initiative would basically be for empowerment. Sometimes, when we talk about numbers in scientific terms, that is natural science. What is important is the critical number. For example, for radioactive materials, you can have one kilogramme of iron ore which has less than one gram of active material. The Bill proposes creation of special seats. They should be created in a way that they do not compromise the chances of women to raise their numbers and empower themselves. I am saying this from experience. The constituency I represent had been led by a woman Member of Parliament for 20 years. When a woman is elected as a Member of Parliament, the men become passionate and supportive. There must be a reason why she served for 20 years. In 2013, we had 47 seats for County Women Representatives (CWRs) and throughout the country, the campaign was that women have a seat reserved for them and that people should not elect any other woman to a constituency. The public should be educated to know the difference between the CWRs and the need to empower more women to fight for additional seats so that they can increase their representation. When we increase the special seats for women in addition to 47 county seats, the narrative is much deeper. As Africans, the population might be inclined to elect more men as opposed to women. We need to educate Kenyans on the import of this Bill. This Bill indicates that the special seats will be determined after the general elections and, therefore, there must be a 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."
}