By Jack Ohito, DevReporter, Siaya County
Highlights
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- While talking to RBNews, Beatrice Abol questioned why the government was taking too long to implement some of the required gender policies.
- Other than getting involved in unproductive projects that don’t benefitting women and girls, I will focus on empowering women more because the elective seat (Women’s Representative) is for uplifting them,”
- Political parties should effectively play their roles in opening up opportunities for women in leadership including through nominating them to elective and appointive positions.
As has happened over the years, the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) was marked around the world on 8 March, and promoted the theme for 2024, was Invest in women: Accelerate progress.
The 2024 events celebrated among others, the achievements made by women and girls, in the socio-economic, cultural and political spheres, while also making a call to action for strengthening gender equality and accelerating women empowerment.
Talking to RBNews, Beatrice Abol raised concerns as to why the government was taking too long to implement gender policies.
“I am a woman but I cannot access my father’s shamba like my brothers, I feel threatened whichever way I turn, including where I am married and also at home where I was born.”
During the celebrations, Mr Chrispin Okello, head of the paralegal team, Siaya County, had much praise for the widows of Siaya for having becoming courageous and are now coming out to fight for their rights and against related challenges.
“I am happy about how women are responding by visiting our offices for help and several of them have gotten assistance through our offices.”
Siaya County Gender Coordinator, Madam Christine Oyuu, called to action the need to empower women by channelling women funds towards projects geared towards women’s progress.
“Our markets are flooded with shylocks who are overcharging our women, lets help our women”
Elizabeth Anyango who is eyeing the Women’s Representative seat in the 2027 elections, said that the government has so far done little as regards women’s empowerment. She was of the opinion that if she so wished, the current holder of that office was in a position to do more for the women of Siaya.
“I will focus on empowering women more because the seat is for uplifting them other than getting involved in unproductive projects that don’t benefit women and girls,” she said.
Madam Rose Rambinya, the Siaya County Assembly’s nominated member and Deputy Minority Whip, highlighted the role political parties play in bringing women into leadership through nomination.
” I want to thank our party ODM for considering our effort by nominating us,”
The IWD 2024 was held at Sega Vocational Technical Training College in Ugenya subcounty, Siaya County, with women from across the six sub counties gracing the occasion. The Governor was represented at the event by Dr. Nicholas Kut, Chief Officer, Gender, Youth and Education.
