What is the state of women in this nation?

The state of the Kenyan nation is strong. However, one of the striking features of the President’s speech on March 26 is that it was to a large extent gender blind.

Save for the reference to maternal health initiatives and the special procurement concessions, no mention was made of the challenges that face women in Kenya.

On June 1, we shall commemorate Madaraka Day, when we attained internal self-rule in 1963. History says the impetus for the struggle for self-determination was the subordination of the African by the colonial master.

One would think that the nation that would emerge from this struggle would have at its core the values of inclusivity and equality.

Sadly, that is not the case.

In Kenya there is no stigma attached to denigrating women. Thus, a politician contributing to a parliamentary debate on the role of women sees nothing wrong with his statement that Kenya requires more roads, not more women in the House.

When the story of rape allegations against a member of Parliament first broke, the focus was on the violation. However, as the details of the encounter emerged, the tide started to turn. And the questions started.

What was the woman doing out at that late hour? What legitimate business did she expect to transact at that hour? Where was her husband? Anyway, what woman of good moral standing would be out with a man at that hour?

Some of the questions cannot be uttered in decent company.

The narrative that emerged is that if indeed the woman was harmed, she got what she deserved because she had stepped out of the “safe” spaces that society has prescribed. In other words, she was to blame for her own tribulations because she dared to step out of the mould into which she was supposed to fit.

The fact that the woman was alleged to have been subjected to an HIV test against her will faded into irrelevance. That she had injuries and bruises that attested to her insistence that she was attacked was now glossed over.

The point now was that in the totality of the circumstances, the protestations of the mheshimiwa were understandable. We have been informed that investigations into the accusations are still going on.

LESS THAN HUMAN

So, what is the state of the woman in this strong nation? It would appear that she is less than human. Or that she can only enjoy the benefits of humanity at the discretion of others.

The struggle against colonisation was framed as the assertion and reclaiming of our dignity. As we prepare for the 52nd commemoration of Madaraka Day, we need to reflect on whether indeed it is madaraka for women.

We must stop trying to make women feel as though they are just tolerated. Women must never be made to feel that they need to apologise for being who they are, that they must be always careful not to offend. It is an undeniable fact that women are part of the machine that is Kenya.

Women are holding up their end of the bargain, and history has proved that women are more than capable of holding their own. They must be liberated from man-made fetters that hold them back from making their contribution to and playing their rightful role in this great nation of ours.

The writer is Secretary, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights