ENGENDERING POLITICS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MOI UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL GENDER SYMPOSIUM, JANUARY 2010.

ENGENDERING POLITICS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 BY

Godwin Ong'anya,

Cell phone +254 723 877 098

Email gonganya@yahoo.co.uk

Department of History, Political Science and Public Administration, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya, P.O BOX 3900-30100.

Abstract

Women have been victims of the paternalistic society for time immemorial. They have been subjects to their male counterparts, in a societal system that constructed them to be always submissive to men. They have been living in the platonic cave, indoctrinated to believe that they are inferior creation as compared to men. With the enlightenment that came with the scientific revolution, the women folk were emancipated in some way through the discovery of their status as equal to men in all aspects with regard to intellectual capabilities. The major difference is with the biological make up, which has so little to do with the service to society. The struggle by feminists has encouraged women to stand and be counted in political leadership. The society has noted many women who have performed exemplarily in the society, some of them as bread winners in their respective families. In politics, history has success stories put women on a clean path. Different governments have come up with programmes that are aimed at empowering women. An example is Kenya, which has come up with the Women Development Fund. However, a raging debate questions the fairness of this fund with regard to discrimination that the policy discriminates against men.

This paper discusses the arguments for gender parity, noting the biological differences between the two genders, as well as acknowledging the superb work of women in society. It also analyses the fear of discrimination against other groups in society in relation to spearheading gender debate in favour of the feminine gender. Lastly, the paper concludes with recommendations on measures for a sustainably strong society, where both males and females live with mutual respect rather than mutual suspicion.