{"id":674454,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/674454/?format=json","text_counter":257,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. M. Kajwang","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13162,"legal_name":"Moses Otieno Kajwang'","slug":"moses-otieno-kajwang"},"content":"Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the older they get, the younger they want to be. So, you are safe if you do not allude to age on their part. My argument is that women should not look forward to tokenism and favours. We know that they have been left behind historically but tokens will not propel them to that level. We live with ladies. My wife is more educated and qualified professionally than I am. She has transcended that mental bondage that she is a woman. She sees herself as an individual and a human being who is capable and competent to scale the heights of success. That should be the attitude across. However, when it comes to the political field, it is a slightly different matter. I want to advance an argument. This week, in the western edition of some dailies, the headlines have been about nominations and how they will be free and fair for certain political parties. The discussion on nomination in my view is similar to the discussion between a free market and a controlled economy. When you are in a free market where it is free for all, our women will not be able to compete. If they are left to compete with men using the same devices, strategies and same amounts of cash, they will never be able to compete. Even in our nominations we must attempt to strike a balance and say that, fine, a free market, free nomination is good, that is the letter and spirit of what democracy 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"}