Politics Can Be Good

A real life story from the Women’s Institute

Kenya is well on it’s way to having far more female representation in Parliament! In the video below, you can hear the the story from Prof. Philomena Njeri Mwaura herself.

Taking advantage of the momentum from years of struggle and organizing, in 2010 Kenya finally passed a new constitution that stipulates that in any appointments, recruitments, and promotions, not more than two-thirds of the members should belong to one gender. 

Of course, opposition remains in the form of backlash, stereotyping, harassment, and rejection.

Customary inheritance laws do not allocate land in the same proportion to women.  Sharia law, for example, requires one-fourth of the inheritance to go to women heirs; therefore, many see no need to advocate for more.  But shouldn’t everyone have a right to an equitable inheritance?

Recognizing the work that remains to be done, Dr. Mwaura affirms women’s agency. “Women stood firm. They knew what they wanted, and they worked hard for it and eventually got it.” 

She also offers these words of encouragement in advocating for marginalized groups, “Be resolute. Be firm.  Because there is a time that will come when their needs and concerns will be heard.”

Prof. Philomena Njeri Mwaura, Ph.D., is a member of the Women’s Institute Steering Committee and Associate Professor in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya and a founding member of Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.