Women banking on BBI to achieve gender equality
Embrace Kenya members from right: Governors Charity Ngilu, Anne Mumbi, CAS Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Rachel Shebesh and Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga after presenting their proposals to the BBI task force in Nairobi last year. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Women leaders in Kenya have revived discussions on achieving gender equality through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
During a webinar organised by Echo Network Africa on Wednesday, the women urged the government to refer to the Common Women Agenda (COWA) document while revising strategies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
In November last year, the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Youth Affairs presented a raft of recommendations to the BBI taskforce on safeguarding women and girls rights under the COWA banner.
Beijing conference
Gender Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia said women will have themselves to blame if they shy away from pushing for the implementation of COWA. She, however, said the government’s commitment towards gender equality is solid.
“We have made progress since the 1995 Beijing Women Conference. On a scale of one to 10, we have been at four points meaning we have a long way to go,” she said.
Ms Kobia said significant progress has been made under similar programs such as the National Safety Net Program (NSNP).
She added that each county has been allocated Sh24 million from the National Government Affirmative Fund (NGAAF) to address gender-responsive and Covid-19 preventive measures.
Through consultations between women in the public and private sector, COWA offers guidelines on their inclusion in leadership, peace and security as well as equitable access to financial services and childcare support structures among others.
Healthcare
Professor of Law at University of Nairobi, Kameri Mbote, noted that BBI is a pathway to achieving Constitutional provisions on gender equality.
She referred to Article 43 of the Constitution which provides for socio-economic rights including rights to health, water, education, sanitation and food; indicating that COWA gives direction on realisation of these rights.
“We want a strengthened healthcare service focusing on preventive and primary healthcare. At the same time, we want interests of healthcare workers taken care of,” said Ms Mbote.
In line with promoting women’s socio-economic rights, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu said she has increased access to water through distribution of 10,000 litre water tanks to schools and rehabilitation of at least 200 boreholes.
Echo Network Africa chief executive officer Dr Jennifer Riria encouraged women to capitalise on every available opportunity to voice women and girls’ issues.
“Women must be where decisions are made. We will take every opportunity such as the BBI to promote dialogue until women get a place at the table,” she said.
Cabinet Secretary without Protocol Raphael Tuju urged men to be allies of women in gender equality.
