Women in politics and leadership barely report cases on gender motivated political violence extended to them during their political career. In most cases they hold it in and suffer in silence.

Themed around the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence, women leaders and Members of County Assembly (MCA) from Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho and Baringo counties came together to reveal the challenges they have encountered while seeking space in the political world.

The sessions were filled with emotional stories that brought some leaders to tears, leading them into a moment of consoling each other. These leaders had a lot to share on their encounters of violence in their political career.

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Sharing on their experience while in Nakuru during the Deepening Democracy -Focus on Women in Leadership, one MCA from Bomet, revealed how she was forced to undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) just for her community to accept her and vote her in.

“I have been in politics for six years now and it has been a tough political career. I caved into the pressure and disapproval of my community, that of me not qualifying as a leader if I had not undergone the cut. Consequently, I went through the cut and vied for the MCA position,” she says.

In addition, she notes that it was disheartening for her seeing that members of her community disapproved her leadership capabilities because of a cultural practice.

Online trolling, FGM, verbal abuse, physical abuse, being objectified, political sabotage and harassment during campaign were captured as some of the violence met by these leaders.

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In an interview with Mtaa Wangu Becky Gitau from Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) says they are roping in women in politics because, in line with this year’s theme ‘Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls’ they felt women leaders in the grass roots are sometimes left out in the fight against GBV, where as they are exposed to violence in their line of work.

She notes that GVRC is bringing on board women in leadership to amplify reporting on GBV cases so that their voices can also be heard.

“It has been difficult to come up with policies that can protect women in politics against violence since the cases go unreported. Our special focus today was on GBV on women during the elections. Our hope is that these women get to report these cases so that in future we can have policies formulated to protect them, which would be a great milestone,” says Ms Gitau.

Nakuru County Gender , Social Services and inclusivity Chief Officer, Gladys Kamuren during the Democracy -Focus on Women in Leadership forum on December 4, 2023.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Echoing her sentiments Nakuru County Gender, Social Services and inclusivity Chief Officer, Gladys Kamuren noted that there is a need to change the narrative on GVB against women in politics so that more women can embrace politics.

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“To achieve the two-third gender rule, violence against women in politics needs to be tackled. It is empowering to know that one can step into this space and be safe from harassment from male counterparts. Women are deserving of these seats and their positions should be respected,” she says.

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How women grapple with forced FGM, objectification, when seeking political seats

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