Empowering Young Kenyan Women in Politics
by mamaAfrica | October 5, 2010 at 1:21 PM
After our outstanding effort in the just concluded By-election, many have reached out to me asking one main question." Mheshimiwa Lindy, what lessons have you learnt from this experience"?
The lessons from my experience inthe by-election are many, amongst them the need to demystify politics as a masculine field. The intimidation, chauvinistic perceptions experienced during the campaigns only but a part. others include the fact that the political climate is full of scandals and draconian leadership, It is heightened by partisan discourses and money versus issues amongst the electorate is a driving force especially because many household live under struggling economies.
Despite all these challenges, I still want to hit and crack the glass ceiling that my mother could only but dream of. I have chosen to be a a vital voice amongst young women under 40 with aspirations to run for public office.
I know there are many ladies out there who have aspirations to run for elected offices in the forth coming 2012 general election. They like I once was do not know how to or where to start. that is why I have decided that encouraging young women under forty to run for political offices is not simply about fairness and representation but because amongst the young women lot, there are those that provide a smart start to a different and better way of governing.
Apart from the earlier mentioned challenges, young women running for office should be prepare to face the disqualifying wrath of voters and pundits who will scrutinize our physical appearance, check through our personal lives and emotions even to the extend of assuming that there must be a "man" funding our ambitions.
One thing must remain clear though that when women constitute at least one third of the elected officials , "the quality of conversations, the adherence to values and even the general atmosphere of the entire organization changes for the better"
As Kenya is preparing launch a new face of legislative units in the new constitution dispensation, there is need to empower young women under forty to run for political office.
this is because, young women leaders break the barriers of partisanship by working with senior female leaders to allow for more inclusive discourses that reach out to the opposition on other side of the aisle
Secondly, young women work with such a passion of getting the job done. They thoroughly investigate over an issue before making a decision.
Thus there is need to build confidence, enhance the capacity and build a connecting forum for young women under forty running for political office in Kenya.
Do you know such a woman? Kindly refer them to me as we mobilise a grassroot initiative to empower young women with all aspect of leadership skills, from balancing, personal and professional responsibilities, to handling rhetoric, planning political campaigns and carrying out advocacy projects.
