Why 2022 election could be the defining moment for women leadership

 

The country’s male-dominated political scene could be headed for a major shakeup if the efforts being put by women to clinch seats ahead of the polls despite the perennial claims of threats and intimidation is anything to go by.

Although none has declared interest in the country’s top seat so far, several women have thrown their weight in the political ring and are causing ripples in political ponds ahead of next year’s General Elections.

Buoyed by the ideology "If we do not run, we won’t achieve", and the performance of some of the trailblazers in the first eight years of devolution, women are keen to break the yoke of the male-dominated political scene in the 2022 elections by winning more seats and increasing their representation through the ballot.

And as the world marks the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence which has hurt women more in the past, some of the trailblazers who advocated for women leadership could be tossing in their graves with a smile because of the progress women have made.

KEEP READING

 First understand the root causes, impact of gendered political violence to curb it

 Violence, insults and lack of financial might pushing women away from elective politics

 Women push to end men’s firm grip on power in elective politics

 Why Maasai men shun caregiving role to children aged below three

For the first time since the inception of devolution, more than 23 women have entered the races to lead some of the 47 counties and have hit the ground running with intense campaigns.

And unlike the past elections, a number of factors seem to be working in the favor of women including political inclusion adopted by political parties as well as support from political institutions.

The office of the Registrar of Political Parties and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is also keen on improving the participation of women in the next polls.

The two offices are working on a robust plan to mentor women aspirants as well as ensure that political parties comply with laws promoting the inclusion of women.

Yesterday, the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu told The Standard that as part of the efforts to ensure that more women contest seats, they are liaising with IEBC to ensure that the list of aspirants presented by political parties for party primaries meet the two-thirds gender rule.

“We are enforcing the laws that stipulate the inclusion of women. We have also developed a program which we will unveil early next year to train and mentor female candidates,” said Nderitu.    BY THE STANDARD MEDIA