Even though gender inequality is a new dimension in society that only came up with colonialism and neo-colonialism, the fact that women’s voices have not been part of the Africa’s struggle is seen as a social injustice.

“This freedom would not have been achieved if women were not there,” she said, adding.“Women were the backbone of Kenya’s independence struggle. They spearheaded the fight for freedom.”.

She told delegates that: ”It is women who were used as messengers as they fought alongside men.Women were regarded as a very important component of society and their voices were heard,” said the Mau Mau freedom fighter born in 1931.

Muthoni, who went to the forest when she was only 20 years old when Kenya was struggling for its liberation, said she stayed there together with other women until 1963 when Kenya attained freedom.

Muthoni says: “Women were a big influence then and men listened to what they had to say.

“Women were very strong and formed a core part of the community; they listened to each other and guided one another in all their roles.”

Before the colonial era women formed a major part of decision making in matters that affected the society at large. Decisions would not be taken without women’s opinion.

However, things changed with colonialism when men and women were offered different opportunities because of their gender.

Emphasis was then placed on family and community values and these were held in high esteem. The community acted as one in all social spheres where women were regarded in high esteem and more as equals.

Whether it was matters to do with war, land or farming, the women had a say in it before anything could be done.

Partly blaming education for Gender inequality that is experienced in the world today, Muthoni says that in order to achieve gender equality women must stop fighting one another and instead support each other in all their endeavours.

However, after independence things changed greatly and women’s voices have been suppressed.

“Women have been trying to speak out but they are oppressed.But we cannot work alone. Men must also join us because what we are seeing today is a world that has fallen apart where I don’t care attitude is the norm.”

“What happened to the time when a neighbour would discipline an errant neighbours child? What happened to the situation where elders would sit down and sought out couple’s marriage problems?” poses Muthoni.

“Look at the children roaming our streets, not all of them come from poor families. Many are out in the streets because they are from broken families, Muthoni says, adding,  “Their parents have disagreed and are not speaking to each other and cannot, therefore, be able to have a positive influence on the children.”

 “We need to go back to the old ways of bringing up children and build strong family values of teaching our children in a positive way so that even the youth will not go astray.”