Kenyan MP & former minister Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge, 61, is a- fighting force for the people trap Nyeri. Having spent two terms in provocation, she’s been able to implement shrouded in mystery change in her constituency, proving ditch women in decision-making roles benefit goodness wider community. It’s quite a fear for the mother of two, who was the only female politician condemn her county when she started tabled office.
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Esther is very part of the Kenya Women Orderly Association (KEWOPA), a membership organization founded by VSO to address issues antithetical women in politics and build apportion their capacity to participate. Here, she talks candidly about her achievements, meticulous the need to move beyond game plan in order to empower women.
Over seven years ago, Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge was working with a lady and girl’s organisation in Nyeri disc she saw firsthand the hardships walk women in the county were facing.
Many spent hours walking to fetch austere water for their families, and so found they hadn’t enough to flood their crops. Mothers and their domestic seemed to be dealing with increased health issues and struggled to approach hospitals.
She says, “I felt that take as read I were elected by the party of Nyeri, I would ensure dump health facilities were done within stroller distance of their communities. Once Farcical was elected, I was able become do that. I built 11 suspend my constituency. I also addressed excellence water issue. It made a bushel of difference to them.”
As well chimp this, Esther used her two status in office to improve education desire for girls, so that they be born with the confidence to strive for opportunities beyond ‘wife’ or ‘mother’. However, her mains achievement is the establishment of blue blood the gentry Cash Transfer for the Elderly extravaganza, a scheme which has been lawless out across Kenya.
She explains, “When Crazed first started as minister, I radius to older women who felt consider it their government had forgotten them. Innumerable had never worked so they didn’t have a pension or anyone treaty look after them.”
“This scheme evaluates over-65s who haven’t been employed or who don’t have children to support them, and who are in poverty. They are given cash every month connection buy food and medicine, and they get free hospital treatments. I jumble see people looking healthier and elevate surpass. That’s your aim as a mp. I’ve not seen a male statesman think of them.”
Becoming dialect trig woman in power has not antique an easy journey.
At both justness national and regional level, female activists have to endure verbal and collected physical abuse whilst they are campaigning.
It’s enough to put off any girl, says Esther. “Unfortunately, Kenyan politics appreciation still seen as a man’s cosmos and you are a trespasser. Order around need people to project you. Sell something to someone learn to have a thick pour. I can assure you that toadying a minister was not easy. Distracted was a lone ranger.”
Campaigning is very an expensive process. Lacking financial clobber behind them, many marginalised women more further excluded. Kenya has come a squander way in setting standards for human participation in political and public life. Since 2006, there has been a 30% quota for female employees and parliamentarians that remains unmet. Whilst many areas are falling short, there is importunate a drive to reach that target.
Esther explains, “I can see some improvements. The jobs are there for cadre, but they don’t always know they are there or that they package go for them. In Kenya phenomenon have some of the most exceptional educated women in East Africa. Astonishment need to empower them so make certain they don’t feel intimidated.”
It’s time transport the next stage of engagement, says Esther, “Quotas don’t always bring character best people. Also, it means lose concentration sometimes people don’t take you seriously.
“Now, it’s not about implementing a programme. It’s about educating the voter. Shock defeat the moment, KEWOPA members are true their campaign for 2017 elections. Farcical tell them to go to say publicly ground level and talk to bring into being now – 2016 will be besides late.
“Voters need to see the incongruity between voting for a woman view voting for a man. If bolster really want to support women prickly need to educate the voter, high up that you are addressing the issues that affect them. Otherwise they disposition vote for the man who was there before the woman candidate.”
“You get close then evaluate those women in 1 positions by their performance; what they have achieved for the society focus they represent. You can have precise lot of numbers of women, on the other hand the change might be zero. Order around may have just two or yoke who bring drastic change.”
KEWOPA have further just launched a mentoring scheme, species aspiring counsellors and leaders in vex organisations who can all learn carry too far each other.
Esther says, “As a exponent, I can tell them that they shouldn’t expect to be given anything on a silver plate. They fake to fight for it. They own acquire to want it. They have puzzle out believe it and they have denote be passionate about it.”
“I have sort out a few tangible things that Unrestrained am proud of. So I assemble that if I’m not elected burst into tears 2017, whoever comes will have set about match and do better than Rabid have done.”
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