By Philip Mwakio
MOMBASA, KENYA: National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has said the term ‘Women County Representative’ is discriminatory and vowed not to encourage its use in parliamentary deliberations.
Speaking in Mombasa during an induction workshop for women parliamentarians under Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa), he said: “I find it a demeaning title and it should be revoked as all honourable women members are here by their equal rights just like the other elected leaders from single constituencies,” he said.
Kewopa have gathered in Mombasa for an induction workshop on how to conduct House business.
Members of the National Assembly and Senate arrived in Continental Resort on Fridayfor the induction workshop, which will also be used to elect new office bearers today.
They include elected and nominated legislators from the Senate and National Assembly.
Some 65 legislators are attending the induction workshop whose theme is ‘Laying the Foundation for an Effective Female Legislator’.
The National Assembly Speaker, his Senate counterpart Ekwe Ethuro and Leader of Majority in Parliament, Adan Dualle were the chief guests during the official opening of the forum yesterday. ‘’I am delighted to join you as we celebrate very special achievement. With an increased number of women in both Houses, we are bound to see a great improvement in the way women issues are to be tackled,’’ Mr Muturi said.
He pointed out that the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution has ensured many changes with women now having a constitutional basis to claim their rights.
“Issues that woman parliamentarians have been struggling to highlight have now to be addressed as a matter of law and policy,’’ he said.
The Speaker said for the first time in the history of Parliament, there shall be women members in the Parliamentary Service Commission apart from having a lady serve as the Deputy National Assembly Speaker.
Mr Ethuro said that it was up to women members to be proactive in offering service to the society.
