The Male Members of Parliament (MPs) have been challenged to accelerate their support for Women MPs in advancing gender equity and strengthening governance structures.

In a meeting convened by the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and the Institute of Public Finance (IPF), Male MPs were asked to embrace the allyship to Women MPs and address gender gaps whilst promoting women’s legislative priorities.

The Lawmakers were equally called upon to leverage on their power that they have to challenge gender biases and strengthen stereotypes, build legitimacy for gender issues and use their influence to amplify women’s voices.

Speaking at the meeting, Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich urged KEWOPA and IPF to hold a robust engagement with the rest of Parliamentarians and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), noting that many leaders still misunderstand gender issues.

“A majority of MPs don’t understand what gender means. Even during the election period, women are told the Constituency and Senator seats are for men and that theirs is the Woman Representative seat,” Toroitich said.

Lauding the initiative on Male MPs empowerment on gender issues, Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia dispelled the misconceptions about KEWOPA.

“These interactions are enlightening. We thought KEWOPA cripples men, but now we are enriched. Train more male MPs if possible,” Kaguchia said.

Other MPs also voiced their views during the meeting. Kesses MP Julius Ruto asked Women Leaders to reciprocate on support for Male MPs.

“Girls are now coming out strong. I feel the discussions about gender should come out in all aspects,” Ruto said.

Tharaka Nithi County MP Susan Ndunge asked Male MPs to always support the Women agenda.

“We don’t need more justification to empower women. We want sincere support by male MPs,” Ndunge said.

Supporting Women empowerment, Naivasha MP Hon. Jayne Kihara asked the conveners of the meeting to extend trainings to more women at the grass root level.

“An empowered woman empowers the whole world. Assuming you train 50 women in Naivasha, these women will empower more women. Women are the ones who run the economy of this country, and so they need to know where we are coming from including matters budget,” Kihara said.

Supporting Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiatives, Mwea MP Mary Maingi asked legislators to pick on areas that demand economic intervention for women and empower them.

Speaking of targeted engagement, Bungoma County MP Catherine Wambilianga called on facilitators to sensitize more women especially and bring them on board so as to champion the women’s agenda with ease.

“We need to speak for each other. For instance, the funding allocated to County MPs is a mockery. Being allocated Ksh6M to run programs in each constituency is technically chaotic,” Wambilianga said.

Teso South MP Mary Emaase praised KEWOPA and IPF for the continuous trainings on capacity building.

“The trainings have impacted positively on the legislators. Train more male MPs for sustained impact to help demystify gender issues,” Emaase said.

She added, “Having interacted with female MCAs in most counties, they feel KEWOPA should be expanded to accommodate them so that they may benefit from the trainings as well”.

Reflecting on the journey that KEWOPA and IPF has had, Mercy Mwangi, KEWOPA Executive Director, challenged both the Male and Women MPs to articulate gender issues in their campaigns.

“Are you incorporating gender issues in your campaign Manifestos? When talking to Women, do you just campaign or also push for the women’s agenda?” Mwangi posed.

On her part, IPF’s Programme Officer Ms. Victoria Wausi affirmed the vital role of a woman in leadership.

“From our research analysis, it has been demonstrated that Women leadership is a driver for fiscal and policy reforms,” Wausi said.

Other Members of Parliament present in the meeting were: Baringo County MP.  Jematiah Sergon, Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur, Moiben MP Phylis Bartoo, Mandera County MP Umul Ker Kassim, Ol Jororok MP Michael Machira, Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze and Yatta MP Basil Ngui.

Also present were Kenya Young Parliamentary Association CEO Mr. Anthony Buluma and Gender Mainstreaming Consultant, Anyona Gichuru.

Photos from a meeting convened by Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and the Institute of Public Finance (IPF. PHOTO/Parliament.