KEWOPA and CREAW push for gender equality and full implementation of the Maputo Protocol

𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲, 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Association of Kenya Women Parliamentarians (KEWOPA) has today held a meeting with the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) to review the status of Gender Equality in Kenya and explore strategies for utilizing the Maputo Protocol to advance the rights of Women and Girls in the society.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders drawn from the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Forum, among others, who shared their concerns with Women Parliamentarians towards bridging the gap between policies and their implementation.

Officials from CREAW shared a detailed report assessing the status of Gender Equality in Kenya, highlighting the key achievements made and challenges encountered as well as the fundamental human rights of women and girls in Africa.

Speaking during the meeting, Nominated Senator Betty Montet urged women to support each other in the fight for increased political representation and decision making in key sectors.

“Let us stop fighting each other as women. Let us focus on correcting each other while walking the talk on how we are going to increase the number of women leaders in the country,” said Senator Montent.

Noting the insufficient shelters for Gender Based Violence survivors, Women MPs emphasized the need to lobby for increased budget allocation to the State Department for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage. 

They also appealed to CREAW to equally seek engagements with the chairpersons for Budget & Appropriations and Finance from both the National Assembly and the Senate.

To achieve the two-thirds gender rule and drive women's agenda, KEWOPA resolved to utilize the political goodwill and bring on board their political male counterparts.

However, the meeting also renewed calls for the lifting of the country’s reservations on articles 10 and 14 of the Maputo Protocol, which threatens the full enjoyment of the highest standards of reproductive healthcare and reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to Women’s rights.