Bill triggers battle of sexes in House

Debate on the Protection Against Domestic Violence Bill turned into a battle of sexes pitting female MPs against their male counterparts.

The proposed law raised intense emotions as members discussed the various proposals in the Bill meant to address various forms of violence at the family level.

Some male MPs, among them Majority Leader Aden Duale and Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo said some parts of the Bill must be amended for it to go through the House.

They argued that Parliament cannot legislate on bedroom affairs and love matters. They said the Bill will require wide consultations and amendments.

But female MPs defended its provisions, accusing their male counterparts of putting up unnecessary resistance to a Bill which they said is meant to protect the family. They argued that the Bill was not about women or gender based.

Mr Duale pointed out that some provisions in the Bill, like the definition of some forms of violence such as forced wife inheritance and interference from parents’ in-laws as un-African.

“Mr Speaker I am speaking for many outside this House. This is foreign,” he stated.

ECONOMIC ABUSE

The Majority Leader, opposing the Bill in the current form also disputed inclusion of economic abuse in the Bill, saying it cannot be defined as domestic violence. He also disputed the definition of violence as emotional abuse.

“Mr Speaker, we don’t want to create laws to manage our bedrooms and sitting rooms. We have more serious issues to deal with like terrorism, food insecurity, devolved system ,” he stated.

He said the Bill cannot be passed in its current form.

“At the third reading of this Bill, we must make the relevant amendments,” he stated.

Mr Midiwo said a large part of the Bill’s provisions had grave consequences. “We cannot do a Bill against individuals,. We shall not accept it,” he said.

Turkana County MP Joyce Emanikor said the Bill recognises domestic violence as a social problem that requires intervention and deterrent mechanisms.

Migori County MP Denitta Ghati said it was wrong to make the Bill look as if it was a gender issue. “It is unfortunate every time we are talking about issues of family it appears it is a battle of sexes...it is wrong... I appeal to male members not to shoot it down,” she added.

Meru Women Rep Florence Kajuju said the Bill had taken the bull by the horns by proposing legislation touching on family.

“We are legislating for the bedroom because the bedroom is where we enjoy many rights enshrined in the Constitution,” she added.