Fida seek women, children-friendly systems

By Maureen Mudi

A rapid response system should be set in place to secure women and children during war and violent situations, the Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida) has recommended.

It was also suggested that a fund be set aside to restitute women who suffered loss of livelihood and property during post-election violence.

This was contained in the 2008 Fida Kenya annual report and research on women’s land property rights in Kenya.

Ms Roseline Odede, a Fida member and part time lecturer at Moi University suggested in the report that sleeping arrangements in the camps be sensitive to conjugal rights.

The report said many women found themselves homeless and landless during the violence.

Parents’ home

"Kenya is mostly a patriarchal society and it is almost impossible for a woman to go back to her parents’ home," said Ms Odede.

During the research, 74 cases of women landowners whose property was destroyed found themselves displaced.

Lucy Muricho, Fida’s Programmes Officer, Public Relations and Communications noted that the Government should put in place supportive infrastructure to ensure women equally gain from development issues.

"Women have found it difficult to access credit facilities as only one per cent of land titles belong to them," she said.

The official added that only five to six per cent of titles are owned jointly while men own the rest.

She said supportive infrastructure in finance, politics, leadership, governance and sports need to be put in place, especially in the context of negotiating for the new constitutional reforms.

The Fida officials said research had proved women own business accounts for about 48 per cent of micro, small and medium sized enterprises, but only earn 57 per cent of income male businesses earn.