The place of women in politics

                                        The place of women in politics

By Maria Njoroge

We have our publication meetings on Wednesday. Mostly, we catch up about how the week has been and at other times we crack inside jokes. Life seems bearable after these meetings. However, there are times that we actually get done with ideas and challenge one another on the happenings of the day-to-day. We come up with topics and ideas for publications and challenge each other on how to do better in shaping our talents and skills. One such conversation turned out to be this article.

“Would you support your wife if she had political ambitions?’

The answer was downright flat

“I am a journalist and that is already a conflict of interest”

I have not read the ethics code of conduct for journalists in its fine print. I would confidently say that I do not have enough knowledge to argue in the line of ethics.

“But a woman is better of in politics if she is married “

That threw me off balance even more. Marriage and politics are two separate institutions and I have absolutely no idea why they appeared in the same sentence.

In the rebuttal with my club members, the gentlemen unanimously agreed that if their wife had political ambitions,  she would have to drop them because it would mean an end to the marriage. It also came out very clearly, that an unnamed politician made very vulgar sentiments about a politician who is navigating politics for the first time.

‘I will go to Nairobi to impregnate her. Maybe that will silence her “

It’s a pity that in this day and age, someone would stop to those levels to make a point. This is where the debate got interesting: what is the place of women in politics, especially here in Kenya?

One of the main challenges that women face in politics is the entrenched gender biases that exist within Kenyan society. Many people hold the view that women are less capable than men when it comes to politics, and this attitude can be difficult to overcome. Additionally, the nature of politics in Kenya can be highly competitive and even combative, with personal attacks and character assassination not uncommon. This kind of environment can be particularly difficult for women to navigate, as they may be more likely to face criticism based on their appearance or personal life.

It is common to see women being castigated for their personal business. Were a woman’s intimate photos to leak at any time during a campaign or a leadership position? Her track record is thrown under the bus and people fail to see her beyond the photos or videos. Most of the photos are taken with this woman unaware. Instead of looking at the crime of violation of privacy committed against her. She will be crucified for being a reproachable leader.

Women make up approximately half of the population, and their voices and perspectives are just as important as those of men. Female politicians are more likely to prioritize issues such as healthcare, education, and social welfare, which can have a positive impact on society as a whole. When we put every policy and decision through a gender lens, we are able to authoritatively know how every decision affects them. Roads are important, but in a place where people are starving, food sustainability would most likely be the urgent goal. Women by merit should be at tables where decisions about their issues are being made.

The place of women in politics in Kenya is an issue that needs to be addressed. Despite the challenges that exist, there are many reasons why it is essential to promote greater female political representation. By working towards more inclusive and diverse political systems, we can create a more just and equitable society for all Kenyans. When a woman in apposition of power falls short in delivering her duties, it has nothing to do with her womanhood. She was just a bad leader.