Nominated Senator Emma Mbura who claims men intimidate women during campaigns. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Women should stop seeking for sympathy from the public and fully embrace politics, Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) official has said.
MYWO national secretary Elizabeth Maiyeka said the notion that women were a weaker sex should be discarded.“From the time of colonialism there were women in leadership,” she said in Mombasa on Thursday.“If women were leaders at that time when there was no legislative framework supporting their leadership why aren’t we seeing more women in politics now that we have a progressive Constitution that recognises the one third gender rule?” she asked.Although there were still stereotypes that push women away from politics, she acknowledged the fact that many women were embracing art.She spoke one week after women aspirants in Coast region complained of being harassed by male aspirants vying for various elective seats.Nominated Senator Emma Mbura last week told members of the Mijikenda community to abandon traditions that paint women as a weaker sex.Mbura who is eying the Rabai parliamentary seat on a Maendeleo Chap Chap ticket said outdated customs were still clawing back women from joining and excelling in politics in Kilifi.She described how she had been intimidated by her male opponents while campaigning.“They have really dug into my marital status, saying all sorts of bad things about my status, family and life in general,” Mbura said.She said one of her male rivals at a public rally proclaimed how she does not qualify to lead because she was not married and had failed to establish a home.Mbura said from the time she began campaigning, she has endured loads of negative propaganda from her male challengers but thanked the people for standing by her side.“I blame this on our Mijikenda tradition that looks at us women as non-performers in society. Thanks though. We are changing this trend.”