Women’s Participation in Constitution-Making Process in Kenya (S.3, Part 11)

Abstract

This 29minutes 57seconds–long video was recorded in June 2017. Kanyi notes that her growing up in the Catholic Church and studying at Ngandu Girls High School where she was involved in the care and support of the vulnerable instilled in her a passion for these groups. In addition, her university studies in sociocultural anthropology and engineering of social change shaped her desire to be an agent of change to change the plight of the vulnerable in her society. Her mother also had a lot of impact on her life and she felt that if all women were empowered, they would be able to support their children. She was very passionate to promote women’s empowerment. She was also fortunate to have been trained in gender and development. Passionate and equipped with the right skills, Kanyi joined the women’s movement at the opportune time and worked with strategic persons such as Prof Wanjiku Mukabi Kabira who was a champion of women’s rights and gender mainstreaming in Kenya. She worked with other women to promote the mainstreaming and implementation of affirmative action in political parties in Kenya. She offered technical support in carrying out a gender analysis of Political Parties Constitutions and Manifestos. During her time, women were able to raise high awareness among political parties and mainstream women in politics. Kanyi notes that women’s unity of purpose to promote women’s agenda in all parties was very important. Equipping women with relevant skills for gender analysis, lobbying and advocacy was a major strength for women. In addition, the ability to utilize women’s social capital helped women to achieve their collective agenda, Kanyi notes that all women must unite for a common agenda and hold institutions accountable to commitments to women. All women should strategically work towards women’s empowerment and the empowerment of the entire society so that no one is left behind. This will see the constitutional gains a reality and enhance sustainable development in Kenya.