Implementation of the two-thirds gender rule in Kenya: the implication for women in parliament
Date
2017-01
Authors
Agutu, Lisa Akinyi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the two-thirds gender rule in Kenya and to determine whether there are sufficient mechanisms to implement it.1 this will be done through a specific look at women in parliament. The two-thirds gender rule was included in the Constitution 2010.2 This analysis will be done through a comparative study on the mechanisms implemented in Senegal and Uganda for the achievement of gender parity in parliament. Gender parity concerns relative equality in terms of numbers and proportions of women and men, girls and boys. 3 The methodology used to undertake the research is qualitative through library and online research. The research showed that there are no adequate measures for the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule for women in parliament.4 Recommendations to remedy this includes the enactment of legislation to further elaborate the specific measures that will be undertaken in order to realize gender parity in parliament through the two-thirds gender rule. Such recommendations include Electoral Laws which would ensure that women are included in decision-making and on a larger scale, nomination to stand for elective posts. This would grant them a better opportunity to be elected. A major recommendation is strict enforcement of judicial decisions. The Supreme Court advisory opinion of 2012 gave the Commission on Implementation of the Constitution a deadline of August 2012 to recommend legislation for the realization of the two-thirds gender rule.5 To date there are no Bills that have been tabled concerning the rule. Stricter enforcement would ensure that the two-thirds gender rule is implemented effectively
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws Degree, Strathmore University Law School
Keywords
Two-thirds gender rule, Kenya, Women in parliament, Gender parity