Kenyan women have been urged to use their God-given strengths and tenacity to stand up and fearlessly fight for their constitutional rights, including vying for senior elective positions.
NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua, Kilifi Deputy Governor, Flora Mbetsa Chibule, and Senior Counsel Lilian Mwaura, called on women to stand firm for their values by doing what is right and rejecting any attempts to make them feel inferior and of less value to society.
Speaking at a Malindi hotel during the launch of Ms Karua’s memoirs, ‘Against the Tide,’ the three leaders emphasised that, just as women have resilience in their families, they can be effective in public affairs.
Ms Karua, who is also a Senior Counsel, reminded women that God had given them the resilience to run their families, including bearing and nurturing all leaders in the world, and that they should use that resilience in public affairs.
“I would like to remind women that they are already resilient since they are running their families. All kinds of leaders, male or female, are brought up by women. Women can therefore use that resilience in public affairs – nation-building and political affairs,” she said.
She added: “You (woman) are already resilient because you are running your home. Move out and also build the nation, and when it comes to elective positions, stand up and vie for it,” she implored.
She encouraged schoolgirls to work hard in their studies in order to realise their ambitions and participate in nation-building in the future.
Ms Chibule told women and girls that they can be anything they wish, but reminded them that they need confidence, good character, and fearlessness to succeed.
Senior Counsel Lilian Mwaura said Ms Karua’s book was very inspiring, noting that she had personally fought for the advancement of women in the country for the last 40 years after realising that women were being marginalised because they did not know their legal rights.
“That is why, together with my friend Martha, we founded the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kenya Chapter which has helped a lot of women,” she said.
“So, for me, I have been an advocate for gender equality; and when I see somebody like the Kilifi Deputy Governor is a female, I feel proud. I see what I fought for has borne fruit,” she said.
In her memoirs, Karua shares her motivating journey from a small village in Kirinyaga to the high corridors of power in Kenya. The book offers an in-depth look into her relentless pursuit of social justice, her struggles against corruption, and her vocal opposition to political injustices.
It illustrates Karua’s steadfast dedication to upholding the rule of law, respecting human rights, and combating corruption.
The book also showcases her individual challenges and successes, giving readers an insight into the perseverance, integrity, and bravery that have characterised her career.
By Emmanuel Masha