Kenya is in the middle of a heated debate about the two thirds gender rule Bill as women in the country fight to have equal representation especially in government. As the National Assembly plots to reject the Bill, perhaps those opposing it should listen to Oprah Winfrey.
The former talk show host yesterday joined Graca Machel, Mandela’s widow and an advocate of women’s and children’s rights, at the Soweto campus of the University of Johannesburg. Speaking at the Is’thunzi Sabafazi ‘Dignity of Women’ event, Oprah paid tribute to Nelson Mandela and promoted gender equality at the event in South Africa, where she opened an academy for girls in 2007.
Oprah, who recently lost her mother Vernita Winfrey is also expected to deliver a special keynote address at the Africa’s first-ever Global Citizen Festival in honour of the anti-apartheid leader and South Africa’s first black president, Madiba.
The December 2 event, which will be held at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, is the culmination of Global Citizen’s “Mandela 100” campaign in partnership with the House of Mandela; a series of global events honouring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela in his centenary year.
Clearly, those opposing the two third gender Bill should look at other countries in the world that are trying to empower women and the girl child and maybe borrow a leaf from them. Gender equality is not abut women having more power or domination. It’s simply about equal representation for both male and female.
Isn’t that a win win for both genders?