The Rural Woman

Defining a rural woman poses a challenge, is it out of her physical residence or the circumstances she finds herself in. I engaged with an audience at the Quora platform and I got different responses. A rural woman is mostly seen as a person who comes from the rural areas.  There are other aspects of the behavior where a rural woman is considered to work too hard to have a fantasy life. The perspective of a rural woman about the urban woman is that she has a flashy life, she is arrogant, proud, too outspoken and selfish. The inability of her to wrap her mind around the behavior of the urban woman is not only a culture shock but generates the name ‘rural woman’ or her being backward. The urban woman considers rural woman as being ‘polite and humble’, not being able to fend for herself or rather low levels of education or those in vocational training centers. She is considered to be rigid and not open minded, not fluent in English which is used as a yardstick. All these just boil down to stereotypes of rural women to be raw and unrefined.

A rural woman is marginalized by the stereotypes that surround her. Empowerment of rural woman heavily depends on agriculture as her source of income and food. She plays the biggest role in food nutrition and security. She, however, gets subjected to unpaid work as she is mostly engaged as a family worker. But there is more to a rural woman than just agriculture. 80% of the women contribute to agriculture, planting, weeding, and income is earned by the men. The legal and cultural constraints make it impossible for women to own land or participate at the decision-making level to influence how land is utilized. Not every other woman have the interests in farming. The obstacles surrounding her efforts to own land limits her ability to engage in cash crop farming as a source of income. Most of the capacity building and sensitization in the rural areas is done on topics related to agriculture.

A rural woman often picks up triple roles; productive, reproductive and community roles. She shields the heavy burden of reproductive and community roles. She spends her time, fetching water, getting and cooking food, caring for the sick and the old. Low literacy levels continue to create the gap between the urban and the rural woman not forgetting the poor infrastructure and public services offered and fewer opportunities that are available to them. A rural woman is always taken from the village to come and help in the urban areas in child rearing or to take care of the sick. If not the sick are taken to the village and another burden is added to her daily expected gender roles. The amount of time the rural woman spends on the reproductive and community roles sips away all the hope they would have had in either getting a formal education, vocational training or extension, and entrepreneurship training.

Rural women are not homogenous, their dependence on agriculture does not translate to all of them engaging in agricultural activities.

By: Nyabena Susan

International Women’s Day

International women’s day is here, crowning March as the month of women. This day is commemorated annually on the 8^th of March globally to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements realized by women. International Women’s Day was first celebrated on 19^th March 1911, which has realized great evolution, achievements and success for Women’s Rights globally.

The theme for 2018 is “The Time Is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives” with Ultra-Violet as the theme color.

As we approach the end of the African Women Decade (AWD), the themes given by the UN have allowed the government, international, regional and national organizations to implement the different themes.

The themes during the African Women’s Decade;

1.    2011: Equal Access to Education, Training and Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women

2.    2012: Empower Rural Women, End Poverty, and Hunger

3.    2013: A Promise is a Promise “Time for Action to End Violence Against Women

4.    2014: Equality for Women is Progress for All

5.    2015: Empowering women, Empowering Humanity; Picture it!

6.    2016: Planet 50-50 by 2030; Step it up for Gender Equality

7.    2017: Women in the Changing Work of World: Planet 50-50 by 20130

8.    2018: Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activist Transforming Women’s Lives

Kenya has made efforts to implement the different themes of the year by having programs and initiatives. The article will focus on 4 main social thematic area that the Government of Kenya has implemented.

1.   Economic empowerment

Women have benefited greatly since the inception of Women Enterprise Fund in 2007 that has realized the disbursement of KES 8.3 million and the Uwezo Fund KES 5.1 million in 2013 according to President’s Delivery Unit. They have had opportunities and economic access to the funds as start-ups to their business. The ability to access funds having submitted their proposals and business ideas help to curb the challenge they face when in need of credit from the banks or micro-finance enterprises. There is still a gap at the implementation level and the impact of the funds to the women. The use of table banking and mobile banking has been a great avenue for the rural women to save and get credit being the solution of having collateral when using formal banking. The government also has the procurement program that facilitates the youth, women, and persons with special needs-owned enterprises to participate in government procurement. This was done through the implementation of the Presidential Directive that 30% of government procurement opportunities be set aside specifically for these enterprises. It is an Affirmative Action aimed at empowering youth, women, and persons with disability-owned enterprises by giving them more opportunities to do business with Government (President’s Delivery Unit).

Education enrollment and retaining of women and girls in schools has increased significantly and realized great transition of girls from primary to secondary to tertiary education through the Affirmative Action by reducing their entry points and girls. Having an increase in women and girls literacy levels places them on the platform to compete for resources. 

2.   Social Inclusion and Empowerment

The cash money transfer to the elderly, persons living with disability and orphans and vulnerable children has helped reduce the burden on women as caregivers. The money helps to facilitate access to different basic services for the vulnerable community.

Customary traditions and practices have reduced great. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been legalized and anyone who perpetuates FGM is considered to violate Children’s Rights. Safe houses for young girls escaping from early marriages have helped to retain the girls in school.

3.   Political Inclusion

The Constitution of Kenya (2010) recognizes women’s social, economic, cultural and political rights in all institutions of governance including political party structures and other organs of decision making. It emphasizes on the two third gender principle in all appointive and elective positions and decision making positions to eliminate gender discrimination and inequality.

Representation of women in the parliament has reduced the gender inequality gap. At the Cabinet level, women hold 25.5 percent of the positions while 37 percent hold high-level positions in the judiciary, 34 percent Principal Secretary Positions.

Women’s Representative Potions has allowed women to identify gaps and issues of fellow women at the county levels and addressing them

4.   Health

Provision of free maternity services program in public hospitals has increased safe deliveries nationwide by skilled health providers. Beyond Zero Campaign by the First Lady H.E, Margaret Kenyatta made access to health services by the rural women. The NHIF expansion services also allow the free maternal services to be covered and give pre and post-natal services.

Women in Kenya should make efforts to embrace the opportunities, services, and resource made at their disposal for their development. The national and international instruments should be used to make the government accountable for the implementation of Women Rights.

I urge women to come out and participate fully economically, socially and politically. Advocating for women rights who are not willing to come upfront poses a challenge to implement the different policies and instruments.      

By: Nyabena Susan

                                             

Defining Gender; Demystifying Gender

Defining Gender

Key concepts

Gender refers to the socially constructed characteristics and attitudes that affect the relationships between women, men, girls, and boys that include the norms, roles etc. Gender determines ‘right’ from ‘wrong’ in a society; it influences career choices, employment opportunities that women and men decide to venture into and their relationships with society. The gender norms vary from one society to another.

Gender has always been misunderstood to be the promotion of women only, however, we should always remember that gender is both women and men and their access and control over resources.

Sex is the biological difference between women and men. This is mainly the physical factors that include the reproductive conditions or hormonal changes.

Gender equality; is the opportunities that are available for both women and men to have access to and control of social, economic and political resources.

Gender equity; is realizing the different needs of women and men, girls and boys and putting their preferences and interests into consideration in access to opportunities and resources. It puts into consideration the reality of women and men’s lives and ensures they have equal opportunities.

Gender mainstreaming; is the assessing the impacts of any projects, planned actions including legislation and programmes on women and men through all process from the planning stage to the implementation and reporting. Gender mainstreaming ensures the participation of women and men in all process of program implementation to ensure that all their needs are put into considerations and that inequality is not perpetuated.

Gender norms are beliefs and attitudes about women and men, girls and boys that are learned and passed from one generation to another. They vary from one society to another.

Gender roles are responsibilities that are ascribed to women and men at the household, community, and workplace of any given society.

Social Institutions that construct gender

Gender is constructed from the family to schools, religious institutions, state, and media. Gender construction emanates from our day to day interactions which defines what is expected, allowed, valued and culturally correct in the society which trickles down to gender relations and power.

Family and kinship is the first agent of socialization that greatly constructs gender. Children get ascribed to the different gender roles; a girl is expected to spend more time with the mother and the female relatives in the kitchen, cooking, fetching water and farming and venture into clerical work, customer care and cleaning services as their career options. They are to be timid, weak, and emotional and avoid any activities that place them in the public arena. Women being in private spaces limits their potential to participate in programs that benefit them. They believe they cannot hold any leadership positions nor are they allowed to participate in decision-making forum, the result is a big gap in women empowerment. Boys, on the other hand, are expected to be tough, not to express their feelings, act as warriors, and be out with their father and male relatives to provide for the family. There is a lot of pressure in men to provide for the family in our day of economic struggle, they are forced to engage in illegal activities just to provide for the family. Men have a shorter lifespan than women also due to the societal expectations for the provision of the family even when they are not capable.

Children spend more time in school with their teachers than their guardian and parents. School defines the gender roles and identity of children from playing and interacting with other children and care providers. Taking an example, when children are playing, it is deemed appropriate when the girls play together same with the boys, when the paradigm shift, there is an ‘excitement’ or ‘concern’ that will be directed to the girl reminding them to maintain their ascribed space. As children transit to higher learning institutions; boys are encouraged to take up mathematics and science-related courses, while girls are encouraged to take languages, social sciences, and humanities.

The state and political sphere construct gender by maintaining the status quo, the internal and external peace of the boundaries of the society. Most political parties will nominate men over women to represent them as flag bearers. Women get associated with the success of their marriages for them to be considered fit for political candidacy as compared to men. The lack of understanding of what gender is has made many politicians who are women to take up the roles with the notion that they have to be aggressive.

Media plays a key role in influencing gender roles and identities. The advertisements always have the men being the hero and venturing into careers that relate to sciences; a pilot, banker while women appear in advertisements on household items; kitchenware, acting as caregivers, not forgetting being depicted as sex tools in different movies or songs. This ends up shaping the reality, behavior, and expectation of their gender roles and career options they decide to venture into.

Religious and cultural institutions have also contributed to defining gender roles. Different churches have women serving as ushers as compared to men being pastors and priests. At Sunday school, a majority of the teachers are women as compared to men. Other institutions women are not allowed to worship together with the men, as they are seen to be ‘unclean’ due to their menstrual period.

Patriarchal systems develop from the gender roles that the children grow up into. The women tend to see themselves as inferior and not be able to participate in leadership roles or any decision-making sessions while on the other hand, boys pick up on roles that put them at the power level.

Mechanisms used for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment

To achieve gender equality, we must recognize that gender is often SITUATIONAL, this means, and that anyone can be vulnerable depending on situations.

The different mechanism that has been used to promote gender include:

National and international legislation; these are policies that focus on the gaps that affect the vulnerable groups. They include; the Beijing Platform of Action, Convection on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the African Union Gender Policy National Gender Policies.

Affirmative action; it is the protection of a vulnerable group from discrimination within a society. Women, youths, persons with special needs and refugees have benefited from affirmative action, by having more opportunities made accessible to them.

Gender platforms; that gives the vulnerable groups a voice, which leads to actions and enjoyment of their rights.

Note: Gender is women, men, boys and girls; refugees and persons with special needs. The Key is to move from a focus on DIFFERENCE to a focus on RELATIONS.

By: Nyabena Susan

POLITICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Women’s participation in politics makes a difference in development and economic growth. There are different views, talents, and perspectives that they bring into politics that shape the political agenda. Changes in how parliaments operate reflect the positive impact of the presence of women: an improvement in the language and behavior in parliaments; different prioritization of issues and policies; gender sensitivity in all aspects of governing, including budgeting; and the introduction of new legislation and changes to existing laws[1].

Political rights cover three substantial manifestations:

·         The right to vote and to be elected;

·         The right of everyone to participate in the administration of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;

·         The right to equal access to public service.

This implies the full participation and representation of women in the effective exercise of political power and in decision-making processes in all spheres of public and political life, on an equal basis with men and without any discrimination[2].

Both men and women face political violence when running for different political positions. The difference is that when women’s violence is associated with their gender, having the notion that they ought not to hold a political position as opposed to men’s violence that is associated with greed and competition. There is a direct relation between power and gender based violence which is evident in our patriarchal society.

Political violence manifests in physical violence (being mugged, stripped naked), abuses that target marital lives and physique, sexual abuses (mostly being rapped), either them or their children being kidnapped during their term in office and some end up being killed if they do not back down from the political race, economic violence, losing businesses and properties and when in political positions, other political partners make it difficult for them to partner in economic development projects.

The root causes of political violence;

·         Institutional causes; having laws that either restrict women from participating in the public sector or not having laws that defend women who take the risk to venture into the political world.

·         Socio-cultural causes; these emanate from the gender roles that are ascribed to women and girls. They are expected to take roles that put them in the private sectors as opposed to men that get the advantage of being in the public sectors.

Source: Violence Against Women in Politics A Defense of the Concept Mona Lena Krook and Juliana RestrepoSanín

Men are seen as the main perpetrators of violence against women in politics, but the psychological violence, (mostly verbal abuses) are led by the fellow women. Women face a significant amount of cyberbullying from social media platforms where users attack their gender roles as opposed to judging them by their quality of leadership. Motives are different depending on an individual’s interest. Men see it as a threat to the positions that they are running for.

Political violence against women goes unreported in fear that it may portray weakness and a liability to their political parties. Others fear the discrimination from the public and to be seen as incapable of handling challenges and the pressure that comes with the political position.

“Expressions, actions and practices of physical, psychological, sexual, economic and symbolic sexual violence faced by women who exercise their right to political representation, especially in local areas, this is done in order to frighten, pressure, or discredit them and force them to act against their will. In many cases, this is meant to make them resign their elective offices and/or to make political decisions with which they disagree; in others, to make them support discretionary decisions in the management of power and resources, against all ethics and standards of public management and the functions that public servants must fulfill” (Machicao, 2004, page 5).

The psychological trauma women experience leads to loss of lives and dignity; they are either raped, stripped naked and sometimes even they get killed. Such abuses make it difficult for them to participate in politics and affect their marriages and their children’s development.

Economic development and empowerment are hindered; Their motherhood tends to suffer; women dedicate most of their time to nurturing their family, engaging in politics has put them in a difficult situation of whether or not to take up the political positions over their families. In the end, they’d rather choose their family than the political positions. They lose the great opportunities that they have to build up their careers and develop economically.

The society at large suffers; women in elected positions are always under a lot of pressure in terms of their performance and often lack support from their male counterparts in the office. As a result, they may misrepresent the needs of the public and especially the needs of women in order to gain support from their male colleagues. In turn, the society is negatively impacted because the needs and expectations of women and the public will not be met.

Democracy is also suppressed. Violence discourages women to run for office which denies them the chance to participate in forming the government; hence they are unable to participate in decision making. VAWP is a violation of human rights which is a core principle of democracy.

Degradation, humiliation, and belittling of women engenders a sense of fear and insecurity in women victims. It prevents women from leading independent lives, curtails their movement and determines their dressing manner. It also increases vulnerability and dependence. The overall effect is that their potential goes unrealized and their energies are stifled as violence prevents women from participating fully in the life of the family, community and society at large.

Recommendations

1.    Implementation of specific laws that cater to women in politics, their ability to participate in politics freely without the fear of discrimination. The government can also partner with organizations that focus on the same line of work.

2.    Civic education to political aspirants; political parties are urged to have capacity building for their women political aspirants. Consider friendly timing that does not affect their gender roles.

3.    The media should work to create more awareness and be gender sensitive to the political aspirants. They should avoid language that demeans women or focuses on their personal lives instead of their political work.

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[1]UN Chronicle: Women in Politics - The Fight to End Violence Against WomenVol. XLVII No. 1 2010 February 2010

2UN Chronicle: Women in Politics - The Fight to End Violence Against Women Vol. XLVII No. 1 2010 February 2010

By: Nyabena Susan

Blogger/Gender Expert

Child Support in Kenya

CHILD SUPPORT IN KENYA

Child support has been one of the greatest challenges faced by men and women when they are separated from their partners or get divorced. This article will focus on services given by the Children Offices in Kenya that ensure children are supported by their parents.

In Kenya, child support is guided by the Children’s Act, 2001 (No. 8 of 2001) (Cap. 141). In the Act, the interest of the child is given the utter most importance 4(2).

The Children’s Act 2001 is implemented by the Ministry of East African Community (EAC), Social Protection and Labour. Issues on Children’s Rights are covered under the State Department for Social Protection at the national level and the counties and sub-counties it is implemented by the Children’s Office which is headed by a District Children Officer (DCO) who is supported by the Children Officers (CO). The children office offers different services ranging to: mediation, counselling, home visits and court reports.

On child support, the Children’s Office is responsible for ensuring that the basic needs of the children are met. Section 23 of the Children’s Act, covers Parental Responsibility. According to the Children’s Act 2001, “parental responsibility” means all the duties, rights, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and the child’s property in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child. The duties referred to in subsection (1) include in particular— (a) the duty to maintain the child and in particular to provide him with— (i) adequate diet; (ii) shelter; (iii) clothing; (iv) medical care including immunization; and (v) education and guidance.

When seeking for child support the Children’s Office is usually the first place one is expected to visit, though other people prefer going directly to the Court of Law. Child support can be filed by either parent, guardian or custodian. At the Children Office, a ‘summon letter’ is issued which is to be delivered to either the mother or the father of the child. They are then expected to both appear on the date stated. They are assigned to a Children’s Officer who will act as a mediator, if the parents come to an agreement, they sign an “agreement” which is a legally binding document that holds accountable each parent on the responsibilities agreed upon. For the mediation; parents are made aware of the most basic needs of the child; health, education, shelter, food and clothing. This is expected to be shared equally between the parents.

·     Health; mostly covered by the father of the child unless the mother opts to. The father is advised to get an insurance card for the child to reduce the use of physical cash between the mother and the father.

·    Education; also covered by the father of the child. This includes all that appertains to education, from the school uniforms, stationery, school fees. One key issue to highlight is, the father takes the child to a school that he can afford regardless of the mother’s choice.

·      Shelter; the child is required by the law preferably to stay with his mother. Key attention should be given that the child is to reside at the physical location of the mother. In this circumstances, the mother pays her own housing rent. This is encouraged to reduce any complications that can come about when the mother of the child decides to remarry.

·       Clothing; the mother is expected to cater for the child’s clothing

·       Food; both parents take half of the cost to provide a balanced diet for the child.

Points to note:

• When the father pays for child support, he is entitled to child visits.
•  In cases where it is the father who stays with the child, the mother is expected to support the father in providing for the child that includes taking care of clothing, and food and is also entitled to child visits.
• Fathers can get custody of the children if they can prove that the mother is not capable of taking care of the child.
• As a mother, if you abandon your child or deny your child parental care and love, you are liable to answer to the law.
• When a child turns eighteen, it is difficult for them to seek support unless in circumstances that warrant support beyond them being eighteen years of age.

Link to Children's Act :http://www.childrenscouncil.go.ke/images/documents/Acts/Children-Act.pdf

By: Nyabena Susan
Blogger/Gender Expert

HIV/AIDS AND YOUTH

HIV/AIDS AND YOUTH

HIV/AIDS AND YOUTH

Last week Friday 8^th December 2017, I did a PowerPoint presentation at the African Union Commission headquarters to celebrate the World AIDS Day with on theme: Africa Unite to end AIDS, Speak out, No to stigma and discrimination; Prevent new infections. My focus was On HIV/AIDS and Youth.

This is my presentation that I converted to word. Some of the issues need much in-depth and I will do articles on them later.

Introduction

HIV; Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS; Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

The African Union 2017 theme: Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in youth highlights the importance of involving our youths in developmental activities in the continent. The youth play a major role when it comes to sensitization, they are good peer educators facing the same challenges with their; use of social media and access of information also plays an important role to access of education to the youths.

Statistics

•       5 million young people are living with HIV.  41 percent of new HIV infections is among the young people, every 30 seconds, another young person becomes HIV-positive.

•       The vast majority (3.8 million/76 percent) of young people living with HIV or AIDS (YPLWHA) are in sub-Saharan Africa

•       Globally, only 34 percent of young people ages 15-24 have comprehensive and correct knowledge of how HIV is transmitted – leaving these youth not only vulnerable to HIV, but to believing myths about HIV and HIV positive people.

Preventive Measures

•       A - Abstinence from sexual activities

•       B - Be faithful to one partner

•       C - Condomize; use of condoms

•      Drugs - Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); truvada drug that is taken by individual who are at high risk of HIV infection to reduces the chances of them contracting the disease and Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) that is administered to individuals that suspect to have been in situations that have exposed them to the virus.

Challenges facing HIV control in Africa

•  Challenge of stable political support and engagement of policy makers; every government comes with different priorities in developing their countries and not having policies that binds the different governments to commit to support HIV victims is quite a big challenge

•      Inadequate legal protection and legal enforcement of fundamental human rights and individuals living with and at risk of HIV; cultural practices that violate human rights are at the high levels of exposing individuals to the infection

•   Low HIV and sexual health knowledge; most of the youth especially have been exposed to the risk of HIV infection due to lack of sexuality education when they were growing up

•    Parental consent for youths below the age of 18 years; some of the health care facilities still need parental consent to allow youths under the age of 18 years to access HIV/AIDS services. Most live without knowing their status

•       Describing gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation d sexual health

•    Youth-specific services are rarely available and healthcare providers may have little experience dealing with the young people dynamics

Socio-economic Impact of HIV

•      The premature deaths of young adults has a great negative impact on the economic growths

•   Increased dependency on older generation, diminishes human capital and cuts   productivity growth

•       Education; Erodes the supply of teachers and dilute the quality of education

•    Severe strain on government budgets to spend on health and social welfare; limited resources are depleted and public investments fall

Sexuality Education on Young People

Sexuality education is a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs, and values. It encompasses sexual development, sexual and reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image, and gender roles.

Comprehensive sex education teaches abstinence as the best method to prevent contraction of HIV/AIDS, STIs and preventing unintended pregnancies but also teaches on condoms and contraception as ways to reducing the risks to contract HIV/AIDS, STIs and prevent unintended pregnancies.

Youth need to be educated about adolescent development, sexuality, anatomy and physiology, the basics about STIs, and the choices involved when engaging in sexual activity.

Benefits of Sexuality Education

•       Increases understanding of sexuality by youth

•       Reduces HIV and other STI infections

•       Reduces unwanted pregnancies

•       Having the option to delay sexual activity till when ready

•       Understanding the importance of using condoms if sexually active

Risk on Serodiscordant Couple

Serodiscordant couples (one partner is HIV positive while the other is HIV negative) are at a higher risk of being infected.

Regular testing for couples allows them to know their status and be able to take preventive measures and live as a healthy couple. With the new discovery of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs, discordant couples are able to live together without the fear of being infected if they take the drug consistently.

Strategies Deployed by African Union to Control HIV

•  Improving Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SHRH) information, education and communication through: the institution of effective behavior change communication and information sharing mechanisms that targets the adolescents and youths

•     Investing in SRHR needs of adolescents, youth and other vulnerable and marginalized populations

•   Establishing strong-evidence based integrated national monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Policies by the African Union

·      Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria In Africa By 2030; To end the AIDS as a public health threat by 2030;

·     Maputo Protocol of Action (MPoA); mainstreams and harmonizes SHRH into national, sub regional and continental development initiatives and African policy making to improve well-being and quality of life on the continent

References

•       United Nations: Key actions for the further implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development United Nations, New York (1999) (A/RES/S-21/2)

•       United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Opportunity in Crisis: Preventing HIV from early adolescence to young adulthood. New York: Unicef; 2011. Accessed November 1, 2011 from http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Opportunity_in_Crisis-Report_EN_052711.pdf

•       Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Global Report. Geneva: UNAIDS, 2010. Accessed November 1, 2011, from http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/ documents/20101123_GlobalReport_full_en.pdf

By: Nyabena Susan; Gender Specialist