Challenges And Prospects Of Women’s Political Participation In Governance In Africa: Case Study Of Kenya

Abstract

Women’s role in governance has for a long time been downplayed not only in Africa but in the world. Women are viewed as second class citizens who’s role in the society is to accept the status quo and obey their male counterparts. They have been taught that it is in the men’s place to be right. That they are the ones who make the laws, implement them and punish whoever is acting contradictory to the law and for the women to be the foot-soldier and only obey as their told. Women have not been taken seriously when it comes to governance with some having to force their way so that their voices are heard. Some of these women have taken on advocacy roles so that they improve the environment for future generations. Women face a number of challenges when participating in political sphere. They lack the proper knowledge with which to make informed decisions, patriarchal norms which always serve to oppress the women and lack of proper means to access power. Over the years women and more so women in Kenya have overcome such adversaries to take part in the country’s politics. While there is still a long way to go, great strides have been made from when the country gained independence to date. It is however important to evaluate ourselves (the country) at every milestone and determine if that is where we want to be and if not what should we have in place in order to have the desired goals. Despite the hurdles that women face, they have had tremendous impact in the country’s governance where they have been actively involved. It has been proven that an all-inclusive participation in the society is the right way to go in as far as governance is concerned. The only thing that varies from country to country is the political will to make this a reality.