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"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, the campaign for gender equality is one that affects us all. In fact, this year’s theme for the International Women’s Day is: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Right; Each for Equal.” That is the hash tag. It is talking about the campaign moving one generation lower. It is not just any other International Women’s Day. This year is the five-year milestone towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the 20th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and also the 10th Anniversary of the UN Women Establishment; it is a special one. I am dedicating this year’s International Women’s Day to my daughter, Emily, because I pray that by the time she comes of age, there will be no difference between what is seen as a horizon or limit for a woman and what is there for a man. Anything that is available out there career-wise or professionally, women should be able to get. Unfortunately, girls and women have been under-valued for a long time. Women have to work more and earn less. In politics and leadership, they have to do twice as much to get half the attention that men get. That is why, in the last Parliament, I am proud that as the Chairperson of the Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities, we brought the 30 per cent Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO); 30 per cent procurement opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities, in as much as the uptake is low and there has been a lot of games being played by people. These are the things that we might continue championing, so that our women can be economically free. Politically, I am proud because I have been a party leader. We are very few in this House, that is, my distinguished uncle, you, Mr. Speaker--- You have been a party leader. In the 2013 election, when I was Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA), out of the 16 women elected, half – 8 out of 16 - were from The National Alliance (TNA). Madam President was a speaker in the Nakuru County Assembly courtesy of that. The trick was not giving women any favour in the election, but making sure that there was a free and fair playing ground. When there is an even playing ground, women and young people will excel. Finally, I pray that we can ensure that we get more women elected. Our claim to democracy is severely tainted when half of the team is not on the field. We cannot have a country where half of the team is left out of the field and the game is left just to men. Even with the corruption cases, the ones affecting women are very few, although the ones who commit the crimes are very vicious. Thank you, Madam President for bringing this. We will support you and I want to urge male Members to, please, attend this breakfast. Let us show our women colleagues that we support them because a candle does not lose its light when lighting another candle. Let us support what they are looking for in the 30 per cent rule and the quest for gender parity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}