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1 Million Signature Campaign

In 2007, women in Kenya set up a campaign in support of a Cabinet bill No. 32 that seeks to increase the representation of women in parliament by 50 seats through a Constitutional Amendment. Recalling that previous attempts to pass affirmative action in Parliament had borne no fruits, it is important to support this bill in order to secure a legislative framework that guarantees a women’s quota in Parliament.

The signatures were part of a wider strategy for securing a legislative framework that guarantees the women’s quota in Parliament, although if passed, it would not lead to the agreed national quota of at least 30 percent representation for women at all levels of women. By continental standards, Kenya is still far behind the African Union recommendation of 50 percent representation for women.

At least 40 women’s organizations were organized around a National Steering Committee and a National Women’s Negotiating Team for this struggle and also through the Gender and Governance Programme. Consultative meetings were held with women leaders and political party leaders.Requests were written to religious leaders asking for support and prayers.

The 50 proposed seats for women is about dialogue and participation

Wednesday, 05 September 2007 15:48 Rosemary Okello

The saying that no nation ever rises above the extent to which it holds its women in bondage; will soon be tested when debate on the 50 additional seats for women kicks off in Parliament next week. Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, the Hon. Martha Karua will table the motion before parliament for debate.

Face of Gender and Governance in Kenya

Wednesday, 05 September 2007 15:22 Joyce Chimbi

The air at Kamukunji grounds is pregnant with a repugnant smell and the adjacent slums testament to the poverty livid in this region but the residents have an agenda and not even these circumstances can deter them.

They are here to witness the 1,000,000 Signature Campaign in support of the proposed 50 parliamentary seats for women.

Million Signature Campaign - Pictorial

Tuesday, 21 August 2007 15:23 African Woman & Child Feature Service

Pictorial of the Million Signature campaign

Launch of 1,000,000 Signatures Campaign for 50 Women Seats in Parliament

Tuesday, 07 August 2007 17:49 African Woman & Child Feature Service

Irene Oloo, Hon. Adelina Mwau and Daisy Amdany

Irene Oloo, Executive Director of Kenya League of Women Voters, Hon. Adelina Mwau, Nominated MP and Daisy Amdany of Kenya Women's Political Alliance

In the past fortnight women in Kenya have set up a campaign in support of a Cabinet bill No. 32 that seeks to increase the representation of women in parliament by 50 seats through a Constitutional Amendment. Recalling that previous attempts to pass affirmative action in Parliament have borne no fruits, we believe it is important to support this bill in order to secure a legislative framework that guarantees a women’s quota in Parliament. While we are aware that it will not lead us to the agreed national quota of at least 30%, this means that we are still far short of the African Union recommendation of 50% representation for women.

Call for Papers for the Media & Diversity Journal

The Media and Diversity Journal is a research-based and peer-reviewed quasi-academic journal published three times a year in the months of April, August and December. It is published by the University of Nairobi’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the African Woman and Child Feature Service.

The Media and Diversity Journal (MDJ) is inviting submissions for its special issue on Identity and Conflict planned for December 2010.

Find out more on the MDJ and the Call for Papers