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Kenyans marks 16 days of activism amidst increased political violence against women aspirants

This year’s 16 days of Activism Against gender based violence will go down in the Kenyan history as the year where women aspirants have suffered violence without any concrete action being taken either by the law enforcement officers or the various political party’s in Kenya.

Narrating her ordeal, Alice Wahome, an aspirant said, `` I was attacked by ten men in broad daylight, my attackers kicked and railed blows on me and it is an experience I have never been through before. They even pulled my breasts and I could feel them pinching my buttocks. `` Wahome’s story is echoed by an alarming number of female aspirants across the country. Besides being physically assaulted, they have to live with the constant threats from their assailers.

``Twice they have said that they wanted my head (literally), and now they are after my life, `` an appalled Wahome explained.

When it comes to violence, no one understands this better than some of the female aspirants who have been brutally attacked and their strong confident strides replaced by carefully measured steps with the help of crutches.

The 16 days of activism have now kicked off and there is really no better time to address gender based violence than this. As countries all over the world take time to reflect and right wrongs meted on women, it is crucial that this society does the same.

During this election period, cases where women have been assaulted in very distinct gender based manner are not difficult to find. This being a society that upholds the rule of law, it then becomes necessary to highlight these unfortunate incidences.

It is unfortunate that the face of democracy in Kenya has taken this shape. Those aspiring for political leadership have to afford a well detailed security force since no one knows the day or hour armed goons will sail on them.

Many women who attended the Launch were shocked at the manner of which violence against women aspirants have been on the increase.

Commenting on the on-going violence against women aspirants in Kenya during the launch of 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Kenya Jackie Finlay an exchange student in Kenya said, ``In America, political violence such as witnessed in Kenya in the past few weeks is unheard of. Granted, we have had assassinations but it normally some crazy guy or other and the motive is hardly ever political, ``

Speaking on her admiration to many women aspirants in Kenya, Finlay urged the women aspirants to remain strong and in the race despite the ugly reality of having to constantly watch their back lest some goons make their threats real.

Violence does not necessarily mean bodily harm, there is also psychological violence. ``Some of these female aspirants have being threatened with rape. Very few women, if any can take such a threat lightly, `` said Grace Mumo, a resident in Makadara.

In cases where women have been assaulted, the forms of violations used are geared towards humiliating and demeaning her as a woman ``they called me the most demeaning names you can use on a woman. Some of the things I heard are not even printable, `` Alice emphasized.

``Can you imagine a man reaching out to pull a woman’s breast? This woman is his mother, his mother-in-law, his wife and yet none of those thoughts crosses his mind. We live in a society; a woman doesn’t have to have give birth you to be your mother. Women needs respect irrespective of who they are,” said Florence Ogur, an aspirant from Nyatike, Migoli district.

According to Ogur, ``Two people died in my constituency during the nominations, a number of people suffered serious injuries, those who suffered minor injuries cannot even be counted,``.

She further added that the kind of havoc witnessed during the nomination exercise puts to shame a country that considers itself as self-governing ,``our male opponents treat us as if we are hyenas and yet we are all seeking to serve the same people ,``she said .

There is a growing concern that despite the frequent reports of violence in the media, the government does not seem to respond with the necessary speed in bringing the perpetrators to book.

``we condemn in the strongest terms the increased spate of electoral violence especially perpetrated against female candidates .We fear that if nothing is done to quell this violence and put an end to this trend, women will not be in a position to exercise their right to fully and effectively participate in this year’s election, `` said Jane Onyango, Executive Director, FIDA, Kenya.

Many female aspirants are now urging the police to take immediate action against violence and stop what seems to have no become the norm; violence against women aspirants.

But despite the disheartening battle these women have to fight, the fact that this year has recorded the highest number of female aspirants nominated to vie for different posts in the history of this country makes the struggle worthwhile.

About 120 women have now been cleared to present themselves to the electorate for election. This is a clear indication that women are making a good impression on the people whose lives they intend to change for the better.

``These women shouldn’t shy away from the difficulties, they shouldn’t be embarrassed about their reproductive roles or when certain parts of their anatomy are referred to, they should focus on the goal,” said Kurenya Esintele, Government Advisors.

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Saturday, 04 July 2009

About AWCFS

The African Woman and Child Features Service (AWC) is a Nairobi-based media organisation with an African regional outlook.

AWC has been active in training journalists and other media practitioners as well as NGOs in the region in the area of gender, media and development.

It has assisted in the production of training manuals for organisations, gender mainstreaming policies and content for media houses and training women on how to access and effectively use the media for development.