KENYA: One Woman's Turbulent Journey to Success

[Guest guest]

KENYA: One Woman's Turbulent Journey to Success

By Miriam Gathigah

NAIROBI, Mar 2 (IPS) – Mount Elgon in Western Kenya is one of the most

marginalised regions in the country. It is so marginalised that it is the only

area where not even an inch of tarmac road has been constructed.

The area is characterised by violent conflicts over land, as well as

retrogressive cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and

early child marriages. The education of the girl child was, until recently,

frowned upon and the very idea of a female child serving her father a meal was

considered disrespectful and an abomination.

It is from these harsh conditions that Masis has risen, against great

odds, to be a formidable force in the fight for women's empowerment.

Born in 1970 into the Sabot community – a strongly patriarchal society who live

in part of Western Kenya and the Rift valley – Masis has experienced

the full brunt of women's marginalisation.

" I grew up very much aware that women's place in society is to be seen and not

heard. We could never even sit before men, let alone speak, " she says.

" A boy child would be given every opportunity to grow and develop, whereas a

girl could be married at 12 years, so that she can provide cattle which could be

sold to raise his school fees, " she further explains.

Female genital mutilation, she says, was a norm. It was expected and believed to

be a mark of growth and a ritual that would set a girl apart from those who were

yet to undergo the practice. " Women who had never undergone FGM were considered

children and could not get married, " she explains.

Fortunately her father enabled her to go to school, though her presence there

was seen by many in the community as an embarrassment to her family and a shame

to her family, as girls were not supposed to go to school.

Despite not being able to attend school consistently for various reasons, among

them the death of her mother while she was about to sit for an exam that would

determine whether and where she would attend college, she excelled and was able

to later join Moi University to study for a Bachelors degree in Community

Development.

It was at this institution that she developed a passion for community work and

after graduating in 1994, she became very vocal in encouraging her community to

give the girl child an opportunity to go to school.

" It wasn't easy but it had to be done. Women were very supportive because they

could see that education had improved my life and made me a different person.

Having undergone FGM myself, I used that experience to denounce it, to say that

it is education that sets us apart and refines us and not FGM, " she continues.

As her profile grew as a women's rights crusader, elders from her community

approached her as they felt she had what it took to lead. This planted the seed

of politics in her.

" It was the first time I seriously thought of pursuing politics, I was strongly

encouraged by the elders' support of me because that meant that my entire

family, including the in-laws, would follow suit and they did, " she says.

" I immersed myself into the world of politics and in 2002 ran for a

parliamentary seat in Kwanza Constituency. "

It is an experience that the mother of five will never forget. " In spite of the

great support I enjoyed from key players, my family, elders and supporters, the

road to the election date was marred with threats and intimidation " , she

explains.

" I was subjected to all manner of abuses. I was even told that 14 youths would

be sent to rape me " . I kept going and even won the party nomination. " I was

running on a Kenya African National Union ticket. "

While everything seemed to work in her favour little did she know that this was

the beginning of the end.

" I received a phone call after the executive of the party decided that they were

not interested in women's leadership and that the number two of the party would

take the party nomination. He would take my place, " Massis explained.

" I was very surprised but stood my ground until I received another phone call

from one of the most powerful politicians, who didn't mince his words. He said

that not only was he not interested in women in leadership, but with me being

young at 32, I had an entire future to pursue my dream. "

The certificate was given to somebody else even though it rightfully belonged to

her. She took the matter to court but already the electoral commission had

completed its work of receiving papers from aspirants, thereby excluding her.

Although she was down, she was not out and in 2004 she was at the Bomas Talks on

a new constitution as a delegate.

Having experienced the harsh terrain of the country's politics, she saw this as

an opportunity to help set up structures that would make easier for women to

enter politics and not face discrimination and be intimidated by political

parties.

As chair of the Transitional and Consequential Committee, she was in a position

to give insights to the Talks based on her experience.

Meanwhile, she continued with her work of denouncing FGM as well as working with

women's organisations such as the Rural Women Peace link and the Caucus for

Women Leadership to build the capacity of women.

" My key message has always been the significance of education for the girl

child. In my community, it has always been extremely difficult for the girl

child to access information. I wanted to see that change which led me to begin

an organisation called Tears of Women Organisation " , she continues.

" The name encompasses the pain and difficulties I have been through and I don't

want another young girl to have to try so hard and to endure so much in order to

have a decent life.

(END/2011)

http://www.ips.org/africa/2011/03/kenya-one-womans-turbulent-journey-to-success/

[Guest guest]

KENYA: One Woman's Turbulent Journey to Success

By Miriam Gathigah

NAIROBI, Mar 2 (IPS) – Mount Elgon in Western Kenya is one of the most

marginalised regions in the country. It is so marginalised that it is the only

area where not even an inch of tarmac road has been constructed.

The area is characterised by violent conflicts over land, as well as

retrogressive cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and

early child marriages. The education of the girl child was, until recently,

frowned upon and the very idea of a female child serving her father a meal was

considered disrespectful and an abomination.

It is from these harsh conditions that Masis has risen, against great

odds, to be a formidable force in the fight for women's empowerment.

Born in 1970 into the Sabot community – a strongly patriarchal society who live

in part of Western Kenya and the Rift valley – Masis has experienced

the full brunt of women's marginalisation.

" I grew up very much aware that women's place in society is to be seen and not

heard. We could never even sit before men, let alone speak, " she says.

" A boy child would be given every opportunity to grow and develop, whereas a

girl could be married at 12 years, so that she can provide cattle which could be

sold to raise his school fees, " she further explains.

Female genital mutilation, she says, was a norm. It was expected and believed to

be a mark of growth and a ritual that would set a girl apart from those who were

yet to undergo the practice. " Women who had never undergone FGM were considered

children and could not get married, " she explains.

Fortunately her father enabled her to go to school, though her presence there

was seen by many in the community as an embarrassment to her family and a shame

to her family, as girls were not supposed to go to school.

Despite not being able to attend school consistently for various reasons, among

them the death of her mother while she was about to sit for an exam that would

determine whether and where she would attend college, she excelled and was able

to later join Moi University to study for a Bachelors degree in Community

Development.

It was at this institution that she developed a passion for community work and

after graduating in 1994, she became very vocal in encouraging her community to

give the girl child an opportunity to go to school.

" It wasn't easy but it had to be done. Women were very supportive because they

could see that education had improved my life and made me a different person.

Having undergone FGM myself, I used that experience to denounce it, to say that

it is education that sets us apart and refines us and not FGM, " she continues.

As her profile grew as a women's rights crusader, elders from her community

approached her as they felt she had what it took to lead. This planted the seed

of politics in her.

" It was the first time I seriously thought of pursuing politics, I was strongly

encouraged by the elders' support of me because that meant that my entire

family, including the in-laws, would follow suit and they did, " she says.

" I immersed myself into the world of politics and in 2002 ran for a

parliamentary seat in Kwanza Constituency. "

It is an experience that the mother of five will never forget. " In spite of the

great support I enjoyed from key players, my family, elders and supporters, the

road to the election date was marred with threats and intimidation " , she

explains.

" I was subjected to all manner of abuses. I was even told that 14 youths would

be sent to rape me " . I kept going and even won the party nomination. " I was

running on a Kenya African National Union ticket. "

While everything seemed to work in her favour little did she know that this was

the beginning of the end.

" I received a phone call after the executive of the party decided that they were

not interested in women's leadership and that the number two of the party would

take the party nomination. He would take my place, " Massis explained.

" I was very surprised but stood my ground until I received another phone call

from one of the most powerful politicians, who didn't mince his words. He said

that not only was he not interested in women in leadership, but with me being

young at 32, I had an entire future to pursue my dream. "

The certificate was given to somebody else even though it rightfully belonged to

her. She took the matter to court but already the electoral commission had

completed its work of receiving papers from aspirants, thereby excluding her.

Although she was down, she was not out and in 2004 she was at the Bomas Talks on

a new constitution as a delegate.

Having experienced the harsh terrain of the country's politics, she saw this as

an opportunity to help set up structures that would make easier for women to

enter politics and not face discrimination and be intimidated by political

parties.

As chair of the Transitional and Consequential Committee, she was in a position

to give insights to the Talks based on her experience.

Meanwhile, she continued with her work of denouncing FGM as well as working with

women's organisations such as the Rural Women Peace link and the Caucus for

Women Leadership to build the capacity of women.

" My key message has always been the significance of education for the girl

child. In my community, it has always been extremely difficult for the girl

child to access information. I wanted to see that change which led me to begin

an organisation called Tears of Women Organisation " , she continues.

" The name encompasses the pain and difficulties I have been through and I don't

want another young girl to have to try so hard and to endure so much in order to

have a decent life.

(END/2011)

http://www.ips.org/africa/2011/03/kenya-one-womans-turbulent-journey-to-success/