2006 Speeches
Remarks for IRI Women's Democracy Network Conference
December 7, 2006
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. First, let me take this opportunity to thank Ms. Van Rest and the International Republican Institute for bringing this amazing group of women together. Participants at this conference represent political parties, government officials, academia, and civil society from 14 countries in Africa, plus the United States and Europe. A gathering of eminent persons by any standard. I am honored to be one of the first to officially welcome you to this reception, conference and, of course, to Kenya. Karibuni
I understand that the goal of the Network is to connect women leaders to help one another. I encourage all of you to take advantage of the conference to identify ways that women can work together to strengthen activities in their own countries and across borders.
There is no doubt -- women are playing a more substantive role in the promotion of good governance and democracy in Africa. We need look no further than the election of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for concrete evidence of the positive changes taking place.
As the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, I want to highlight a few of the many achievements Kenya recently witnessed in advancing women's role as leaders and improving the legal environment for women.
Kenya's own Professor Wangari Maathai continues to demonstrate leadership throughout Africa. She was first women in East and Central Africa to earn a doctoral degree, and she is a source of leadership within civil society through her involvement in the National Council of Women in Kenya and her development of the Green Belt Movement, which has helped women plant more that 30 million trees to conserve the environment and improve quality of life for Kenyans and their communities. The empowering activity of mobilizing women for environmental conservation and community building has the added benefit of increasing empowerment in other areas related to water, equity, reproductive heath, and others.
In 2004, Professor Maathai was accorded the highest honor, the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the promotion of democracy, human rights, and environmental conservation. Never one to rest on her laurels, as Presiding Officer for the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of the African Union, Professor Maathai continues to advocate for the human rights of all Africans.
Second, I would also like to highlight the amazing achievements of Honorable Njoki Ndungi. As many of you may know on May 31, Kenya's National Assembly voted to criminalize the worst forms of sexual offenses, including rape, defilement, child pornography and sex tourism, and sexual harassment. While a few amendments to the bill may have watered down some of the proposed protections, the passage of the bill is a major step forward in establishing a legal framework for protection from sexual violence. It is arguably, one of the most important pieces of legislation to empower women since Kenya's independence.
There is no doubt that this Act passed because it was championed by a diplomatic and courageous leader. One year ago, no one thought a law on gender-based violence would become a legislative priority. Particularly not by a parliament that passes approximately seven pieces of legislation annually. No actually, let me take that back. At least one person believed it would be a priority. She was neither deterred nor distracted by the cynicism of others.
Honorable Njoki Ndungi drafted the legislation, lobbied to get the legislation moved to the top on the parliamentary agenda, mobilized resources so supplemental sessions could be offered to her fellow, and I do mean fellow, parliamentarians allowing them to gain an in-depth understanding of the legislation while raising concerns on specific provisions.
As a result of her sheer tenacity, the Kenyan National Assembly, comprised of some traditionally minded politicians, passed the Sexual Offenses Act. I invite you all to join me in acknowledging Honorable Njoki Ndungi's commitment and success this evening. [applaud]
While this legislation is a fundamental milestone, significant efforts remain to realize a vision that includes:
- reducing incidents of gender-based violence,
- ensuring victims receive quality care and support; and
- bringing perpetrators of such crimes to justice.
While the work ahead may seem daunting, with champions like Honorable Ndungi, I feel confident that Kenya can realize this vision.
Efforts are already underway. I understand that several Kenyan women's rights and legal NGOs announced that they already have drafted an amendments bill to the Sexual Offenses Act to eliminate loopholes that weakened the original draft bill.
At the same time, the Sexual Office Act is not being fully implemented in the courts and there is a need to educate the judiciary and prosecution on the provisions of the act.
I am pleased to take this opportunity to affirm the USG commitment to supporting Kenyans on this journey. We intend to support the implementation of the Sexual Offenses Act, by providing resources to ensure that victims of gender based violence first have greater access to care and support and have a better understanding of their rights. We will also support initiatives to change men's, particularly young men's, attitudes towards gender-based violence. Additionally, the USG is committed to supporting Kenyan efforts to increase the number of sexual offenders prosecuted. The USG will support efforts to improve the quality of criminal investigations of these crimes as well as efforts to effectively prosecute their perpetrators.
The United States commitment in this area extends beyond Kenya. Through the Women Justice Empowerment Initiative, the USG will support similar efforts in Zambia, South Africa, and Benin. Consistent with the philosophy underlying this conference, the USG believes African networking is key to reducing gender-based violence on the continent. Success can be expedited if African countries share their best practices, toughest challenges, and develop solutions together. Efforts to network gender based violence experts are beginning with an exchange of South African and Benin experts in the coming months.
However important these gains are for women's empowerment, they must also be accompanied with commensurate progress in the political realm: women need greater representation in politics. In light of the Network's emphasis on democracy, I would be remiss if I did not mention one of the great challenges Kenyan women will face over the next year - getting elected to office.
Running for elected office is challenging for the most seasoned politicians, but the barriers are markedly greater for women in Africa. When is the last time a man was accused on being an unfit parent because he stood for office?
When is the last time a man was threatened with rape, if he did not withdraw from an electoral contest?
When is the last time a man was forced to run in his wife's home constituency?
Truth be told, while political attitudes towards women may be changing and women's leadership abilities are unquestionably strong, the Kenyan environment is hostile towards women candidates and elections tend to be a predominantly male affair. Negative stereotyping, violence, bribery, misinterpretation of traditional values, and intimidation continue to impede women's participation both as candidates and voters.
If this is a conference about networking, I challenge you to discuss the particular issues these courageous and talented Kenyan women candidates will face in the next year.
In particular, I hope you can share strategies for voter registration and party primaries. In my opinion, these are two critical challenges women will face in the near term.
I hope you have an opportunity to brainstorm on strategies that can be put in place by next February, when the last large push for voter registration is likely to take place. The number of eligible, but unregistered young women is significant. These natural allies must be tapped into if more women are to be elected to office.
Similarly, what are the best strategies for securing your parties' endorsement at the political party nominations? This is where the real elections take place. Unfortunately, Kenyan primary elections are not characterized by transparency or a fair and even playing field.
I am confident that many of the successful strategies deployed in other countries can provide invaluable lessons here, and I know that Kenyan women also have ample best practices to share.
I have no doubt you will have an inspiring and productive conference over the next two days and I trust you will develop concrete plans which allow you to continue to support each other and continue to empower women around the continent and the world. I invite some of the participants to come and brief us following this conference, particularly on strategies to support women candidates in the next election. The USG must define how the USG can support women's efforts in the upcoming election while ensuring our support is impartial and effective, and this conference an excellent opportunity for women leaders across Africa to share their best practices in this regard.
My thanks again to IRI for the privilege of being here with you all tonight and my best wishes that this conference will mark the beginning of a truly open and fruitful dialogue on the role of women and democracy throughout Africa. Thank you.