Coast Women in Development executive director Betty Sharon at a past event. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
Female MCAs in Mombasa have been urged to take gender related issues seriously while conducting their businesses in the county assembly.
Coast Women in Development, a Coast-based women organisation, said the first county assembly failed to address gender issues in the county.Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, the organisation’s director Betty Sharon said female leaders tend to forget issues facing fellow women once they get into in power.Sharon said women and children issues should top the female MCAs’ agenda when engaging in different debates in the county assembly.She said female leaders should focus more on how to engage women in development issues as well as fight for the rights of children in the society.“The first county assembly failed us. We do not want to experience the same in the second county assembly,” said Sharon.Sharon who has been very vocal in championing women rights in the Coast region said the few women in power and especially in the county assemblies should venture more into creating and providing more space for fellow women and protecting their interests.“We want to see our women leaders championing for our rights so that we attain the gender parity in the county. They should not be drowned into power and play empty politics,” she added.Sharon said development, women empowerment and youth employment are some the issues that the 16 female MCAs in the Mombasa County Assembly should focus on.She further urged them to ensure children enjoy their basic rights, including the right to education.