Politics is a dirty game they say, but why should more mad be aimed at women in the game? Its shocking that women need security in an era where violence and intimidation against women is an outdated model of politics.
Following a shocking parliament violence incident, Wajir MP Rashid Kassim got arrested after dreadfully assaulting Wajir County Women Representative Fatuma Gedi.
Witnesses said the MP rained blows on Gedi who sits in the House Budget and Appropriations committee for allegedly failing to push for money for his constituency.
The incident happened at the Parliament parking lot as the woman representative was walking to Protection House in the company of her Homa Bay county counterpart, Gladys Wanga.
Women MPs had to storm out of parliament in demand of justice for Gedi.
https://twitter.com/kinteIii/status/1139143579815858176
Many including men have since condemned the highly disappointing and shameful act.
Any man who assaults a female and raises his hand on her is a worse than an animal.
It’s just unimaginable.
How can an MP attack a female MP? And in th supposedly honorable parliament?
Fatuma Gedi deserves justice!#JusticeForFatumaGedi
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) June 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/johnnjenga/status/1139132676647112705
Violence against women in politics can be physical, sexual or psychological in nature. Both men and women can be affected by violence in politics, but violence against women in politics is gender-based. It targets women because of their gender and the acts of violence are gendered in form, such as sexist remarks or sexual harassment and violence.
Violence against women in politics is a violation of human rights, and by hindering women’s political participation, it is also a violation of women’s political rights.
Formerly,women politicians in Kenya especially during 2017 elections complained of intimidation by their male competitors through hiring of goons and gender discrimination.
Some also suffered physical violence and destruction of their campaign materials while admitting that they were financially constrained.
For instance, Tetu parliamentary aspirant on Jubilee Party ticket Anne Kanyi got attacked by unknown people who also smashed her car’s windows during her campaign trail at Mbaaini, in Nyeri on April 14.
Sheilla Githaiga, who was also the only woman in the County Senate race, learnt harsh lessons and experiences including escaping death.
Ms Githaiga was mobbed by over 30 men armed with batons and machetes on a Monday night in Bellview, Kieni West.
In another controversial incident of political battle that took over the airwaves, a scuffle between former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero and Former Nairobi Women Representative ended up in Shebesh being assaulted publicly.
Drama unfolded at City Hall on a Friday after Kidero allegedly slapped Shebesh during a heated verbal exchange outside his office.
Shebesh, known for her aggressive style, had confronted Kidero over the ongoing county employees’ strike, which had paralyzed operations, over unpaid salaries.
The global fight to promote women’s equal participation in decision-making and to end all forms of violence against women was addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta at women’s conference that was held in Vancouver June 2019.
He commended Canada for its focus on women’s rights, and its projection of this priority through her Feminist International Assistance Foreign Policy, which is anchored in the promotion of gender equality, with a specific focus on women’s rights.
“We know that women’s rights are human rights. But this is not just a rights issue only. It is also an economic, political and moral issue,”Uhuru said.
Truly male Kenyan politicians need to work on their morals in fighting rival female politicians.