As this year’s women’s day dawns, the feeling that as a nation, there is little we can celebrate about our women is displeasing and a resounding wakeup call for reverse discrimination.
With most of our women nursing consequences of societal disregard, domestic violence, gender biased cultural practices, discriminating institutional and government policies, the celebration of achievement as far as women empowerment and progress is concerned does not hold water.
Currently, poor Benita Bata is agonizing at Makindu hospital after she was rescued from after her husband allegedly set her on fire. At the beginning of this year, a 29 year Salome Kanini succumbed to servere burns and lost her life after her estranged husband allegedly set her ablaze over a domestic tiff.
A young Nadome from Tiaty, Baringo county, recently escaped female genital mutilation and is recovering gradually from the trauma. A 13-year old from West Pokot escaped early marriage planned by her father and had to trek 200 kilometers at the beginning of this year.
Many more unheard younger girls in various regions across the country are being forced into FGM, sexual relations with adults and early marriages.
Despite our female politicians contriving these hurdles and standing firm in politics, they have received disgraceful insults from some of the male politicians who have referred to some of them as sexually immoral.
A lot is happening in disregard of the woman in our nation but what worries more is the sluggish response from concerned authorities and society at to correct the situation.
After Dr Mugo was allegedly caught pants down sexually abusing a patient, he was later released on basis of lack of evidence.
As the world celebrates women’s day, Kenyans should be assessing progress, recommending resolutions and considering embracing affirmative action as far women empowerment is concerned because women are the backbone of social and economic growth of a nation.