Why FIDA suit could force parliament to have more women

Photo:Courtesy

Parliament could be forced to nominate more women to meet the two-thirds gender threshold if a case filed by Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida) is successful.

The women lawyers are questioning the composition of the current Parliament, arguing that with just 23 female MPs, 47 women representatives and three senators, the House falls short of the gender requirement.

The Constitution stipulates that any elective or appointive body should not have more than two-thirds of its members from one gender.

But it has been a tough struggle for women to have Parliament enact the legislation.

This is the second time Fida is fighting in court for more female representation in Parliament.

The Supreme Court last year ordered Parliament and the Attorney General to ensure that the legislation was enacted.

But Fida said in their suit that the 11th Parliament totally disregarded the orders and did not pass the legislation.

Through lawyer Eunice Lumallas, Fida has sued the speakers of the two houses of Parliament – the National Assembly and Senate – alongside Attorney General Githu Muigai and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to have more women nominated to increase representation.