APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA in the public and private sphere, weak enforcement of laws and policies and attitudes and biases among men and women that reinforce acceptance and prevalence of violence against women and girls. While there are emerging areas of progress, it should be expected that since gender inequality hinges on decades of systemic and structural issues, change will occur but with sustained efforts over time. 2.62 There is evidence that more public service and justice institutions are embracing institutional reforms that create gender responsive environments. The justice law and order institutions are working within the framework of the new laws to address structural and attitudinal barriers to justice. The focus on victim justice models bodes well for vulnerable women and girls who seek justice from an empowered position. Capacitating these institutions with human, financial and technological resources to function optimally at the national and county level is critical. 2.63 Affirmative action measures have been undertaken in the area of education, health, and entrepreneurship. There have been gains numerically in women’s participation in these sectors and there is hope that good practices will be replicated and upscaled. However, in the political arena, the participation and representation of women has continued to evidence setbacks particularly at the national level. To date, despite Constitutional guarantees for affirmative action from 2010, women’s representation in Parliament as a gender is below the constitutional minimum requirement of a third. 2.64 The low presence of women in politics has generated a common rhetoric that women are their worst enemies. This is widely subscribed to without due regard to the structural barriers that inhibit women’s participation at this level. Part of the problem seems to lie more in the socialization of society whereby both genders view men as natural leaders rather than women. Additionally, in some regions there is so much hostility overall that women who compete with men for political office face physical danger and stigmatisation. The use of money and patronage networks to influence choice in politicians and voters has predisposed those with monetary clout to have an advantage, which inturns affects women negatively. 2.65 The Review Mission sensed genuine desire among key respondents, to comply with the constitutional provision popularly referred to as ‘the two-thirds gender rule’. Interms of how to practically deal with the matter has been the more challenging part. To Kenya’s credit, compliance with the constitutional provision was achieved at the lowest level of representation – the Ward Representatives (MCAs) through the nomination of an extra 700 women as MCAs. 2.66 There is need for reforms at the party level to adopt gender inclusive and empowerment practices. Some parties are embarking on identifying, recruiting and training women of from the grassroots to vie for positions in future elections. Other positive practices by parties have been to utilise women leaders to encourage, inspire and mentor experienced women. The urgent compliance with the two-thirds gender rule by legislative and other measures will be critical for the 2017 elections to be deemed legitimate, credible and constitutionally compliant. | 47 |