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    "id": 799325,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/799325/?format=api",
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    "content": "needs to be done to increase their numbers. We realise that in some parliaments, women are appointed to committees with very soft portfolios. The best example is in this House where every woman is just a vice-chairperson of the strong committees. The number of women in the Kenya Parliament may not have the stipulated constitutional threshold, but then efforts are being made through legislation to ensure it is met. In line with this therefore, the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, referred commonly as the two-thirds gender rule, was brought forward from the Eleventh Parliament did not sail through. We, as women, are really begging our male counterparts to assist us to pass the Bill and set history as one of the greatest Senate that gave women the greatest reward. The global average of women on the political front in parliaments increased from 22.6 per cent in the year 2015 to 23.3 per cent in 2016. Based on this trend, it might take another 99 years to close the gender gap. I am not sure whether the women are ready to wait for such a long time. Madam Temporary Speaker, women leaders, given the opportunity, can influence legislation and budgets in areas that affect women such as food security and health care. The Summit looked into these areas and encouraged various governments in the world to bring women on board to look at these challenges. The Summit also highlighted certain issues of technology. For example, technology in Kenya is doing a lot. For example, the mobile money transfer (Mpesa) has given women a lot of businesses. In addition to that, technology also assists women to network and share ideas on job opportunities in businesses as well as leadership positions. Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, one other issue that came up in that Summit was on trade. It was noted that women are not able to trade effectively because of lack of finances. What came up mostly was the issue of access to finances. In most cases, institutions that give women credit, normally peg it on collateral which is quite a challenge to get. One of the greatest achievements of the Women Political Leaders Global Forum was the Girl2 Leader Initiative. This is a kind of initiative that will call on all women to mentor young girls so that come the time, they will take up leadership positions. In most cases, if women particularly in the Senate would mentor girls, I am sure those girls would look up to the women as role models. The main tool of communication is to use the social media with the aim of reaching out to as many girls around the world as possible. The key campaign is the International Day of the Girl-Child. How can Kenya gain from this initiative? It is by ensuring that women leaders in Parliament mentor girls through participation in democratic practices. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the African Continent, many countries are challenged with issues of gender parity. However, Rwanda is the champion in women representation. Today, it has up to 64 per cent of women in leadership in this region. Due to that, it was honoured to establish a regional office on the women political leadership in Africa. The meeting to open the office was held between 27thto 29th, May, 2018. Although Kenya has been in the forefront in many issues, Rwanda has already overtaken us in this case. 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"
}