Raila launches roundtable on gender affairs

Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Tue, May 24, 2011

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said that the government has stepped up measures to stamp out cases of violence against women, particularly sexual violence. Noting that gender violence remains a big problem in Kenya, the PM pointed out the Sexual Offences Act of 2006 provides punitive penalties for sexual offenders while desks have been established in police stations to handle cases of gender violence. Raila was speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference centre Tuesday, when he launched the Prime Minister's roundtable meeting on gender affairs. The PM at the same time announced that beginning next financial year the government will supply all girls in schools with sanitary towels. Saying it was disturbing that many girls miss school for a number of days every month due to lack of sanitary towels, Raila directed the Ministry of Finance to factor it in the budget that takes effect in July 2011.  He said the Ministries of Public Health and Education will implement this programme that the government committed itself to implementing when it came into power in 2003. The Prime Minister said round table enables government to address issues of red tape,  and expressed confidence that through the forum the government will implement programmes and projects expeditiously. "We have realized that more often than not what is on paper is not implemented," he added. Raila emphasized that the government will continue to implement policies that will mainstream gender in all development processes and uplift women from positions of disadvantage. In this regard, he added, that the state has taken action in order to redress past patterns of discrimination and alienation that confined women to certain roles and positions.  He said, "it is unfortunate that women represent the face of poverty in our country yet they are the most hard working people." Furthermore, he said, the government created the family division of the high court to provide greater protection for women and children in matters of adoption, custody, divorce and inheritance. "Our children's Act outlaws female genital mutilation that has for a long time negatively impacted on the health of the girl-child," he added. Saying the constitution compels the State to take action in order to redress past patterns of discrimination and alienation, Raila said it was imperative that it be translated into action. The PM at the same time asked women in positions of responsibility to make conscious efforts at being role models saying in the quest to empower women and enable them benefit from provisions of constitution, mentors and role models must be created. He said, "We need to consciously impart civic leadership skills among young girls and help them build the confidence to pursue their goals in any field of endevour." Raila emphasized that deliberate efforts must be made to open more doors to more capable women adding they must be helped to navigate their way around the old boys' network that has held a tight grip on national affairs. He pointed out that nations that have rapidly forged ahead in recent decades are those that have recognized that as leaders, women possess a unique set of experiences and perspectives and that they bring a different approach to problem solving. "Now, more than ever, we need the different kind of toughness that women bring to situations. It is a toughness that comes from a firm reliance on one's inner strengths," he added. He went on to say that the government will continue to implement concrete policies that will mainstream gender in all development processes and uplift women from positions of disadvantage. The PM added that women are the most vibrant block of workers and producers who contribute to the country's expanding Gross Domestic Product.