Gender Forum: Two-third gender majority principle in political representation

On Thursday, 27th November 2014

At the Nairobi Safari Club, University Way, Nairobi

From 4.00 pm to 6.30 pm

ENTRY FREE

Twitter @HbsNairobi #genderforum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbsNairobi

Discussion Panel:

1. Martin Oloo - Constitutional Lawyer and Lecturer, Parklands Law Campus, University of Nairobi and Partner at Oloo and Oloo Advocates
2. The Africa Women Studies Centre of the University of Nairobi
3. FIDA Kenya - CSO representative in the Attorney General's Task-force on the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule
4. The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association
    

A working group was formed early 2014 by the Attorney General's office to provide guidance in legislative measures needed to guarantee the application of the two-third gender rule in the National Assembly and Senate. The taskforce brings together representatives from the Ministry of Devolution, the IEBC and Parliament's Legal Committee, The Commission on Administrative Justice, the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution, the Registrar of Political Parties, the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association and the Federation of Women lawyers (Fida-Kenya).

The Gender Forum will discuss the following key questions:

• What processes or engagements are ongoing toward defining a suitable framework for achieving the two-thirds gender majority principle for National Assembly and Senate? What are the timelines?
• What proposed mechanisms are being explored?
• The forum will explore existing legal and policy provisions that enable or otherwise hinder the actualization of gender equity in representation.
• Will the legal framework in discussion meet the needs for representation of Article 100 groups? (marginalised groups)

About the Gender Forum

The Gender Forum is a monthly public dialogue convened by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung since 2001, encouraging dialogue on pertinent national issues with a gendered lens. It brings together scholars, law makers and implementers, civil activists, government institutions, students and the general public, aiming at sharing knowledge and inspiring gendered analysis of policy and programmes. The forum also convenes in Kisumu in partnership with KEFEADO and has recently travelled to Taita Taveta and Kajiado Counties in response to County interests.