August 27, 2011

Hundreds of Kenyan Women March to Parliament to Secure 2/3rds Rule


A police officer guards the doors of parliament, as Kenyan women
activists demand access to their legislators.

Nairobi, Kenya-Hundreds of grassroots women leaders from across Kenya marched to Parliament on the eve of the country's one-year anniversary of the Katiba or New Constitution to fight for women's equity and the retention of delegated women's elected seats in the constitution.
Waving copies of the new constitution, wearing green scarves (the color green being symbolical of hope), and loudly chanting, the mass of women stormed into town, blocking streets before they attached themselves to the gates of parliament, demending their rights to at least 1/3rd of all elected seats in any governing body as deemed lawful in the country's constitution. As recently as Thursday, parliamentary lawmakers had argued that the 2/3rds rule should be eliminated, as women would not be able to meet the quota in 2011---thus deeming the government unconstitutional.
Four female and one male Members of Parliament eventually greeted the women to collect a petition of signatures and to show their solidarity with the women in fighting for their lawful rights to be represented by at least 1/3rd of all elected positions in government.
Grassroots women leaders sing and chant on their bus ride to Uhuru Park the starting point for their march to parliament in the capital city of Nairobi, Kenya.


Women circle together in prepartion for their march to parliament to protest the ammendments that parliament is proposing. Such amendments would not be able to be passed without the vote of the people in a national referendum.

As they gather for the rally to Parliament, women review copies of the new Constitution, which celebrates its one year anniversary.
Hundreds of women takeover the streets near city center in Nairobi, Kenya as they approach the Parliament.

Hundreds of women takeover the streets near city center in Nairobi, Kenya as they approach the Parliament.
Women storm the gates of parliament, waving copies of the new constitution.
A police officer guards the doors of parliament, as Kenyan women activists demand access to their legislators.

Grassroots women leaders from Kenya clasp the iron posts of the gate as they demand the opportunity to speak to their legislators in parliament.
Male parliament staff watch the growing gathering of women at the gates to the inside of the parliament.
As several women Members of Parliament approach the gate entrance, police push protesters back.

Ms. Martha Karua, a Member of Parliament and the only female presidential candidate in Kenya, expresses her support for the women who have gathered at the gates of parliament.

Women surround a male Member of the Kenyan Parliament as he joins the group that has gathered to rally.