2007 Speeches
Empowering Kenya's Women
Speech by Ambassador Michael Ranneberger on International Women's Day
March 8, 2007
Thank you all for being here this evening to help celebrate International Women's Day. There are so many Kenyan women of great accomplishment here that I cannot begin to acknowledge them all. I do want to acknowledge a very distinguished senior woman within the U.S. Government who is with us this evening: Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Programs Dina Powell. She is accompanied by two male colleagues: David McCormack, Security Adviser at the National Security Council for Foreign Assistance and Economic Security; and Mike Magan, Senior Director at the National Security Council for Reconstruction and Stabilization.
International Women's Day is an opportunity to recognize that prosperity and democracy require the active participation of women in all aspects of civil and economic life, and to acknowledge the vital contribution of women to international peace and security. On International Women's Day we consider the accomplishments and achievements of outstanding women all over the world, but also identify how we can all do more to empower women.
I want to emphasize that the United States is strongly committed to promoting the rights of Kenyan women and their increased participation in all aspects of social, political, and economic life. This is a highly important dimension of the strong and growing U.S.-Kenyan Partnership.
Kenya's Shining Examples
Here in Kenya you have no shortage of outstanding, committed women leaders who are working to improve their country. I want to cite a few outstanding examples from those among us.
Honorable Njoki Ndung'u has become a household name over the last year but, more importantly, thanks to her dedication and perseverance, the subject of sexual abuse of women and children has also become a household topic, bringing this critical issue out of the shadows. As many of you know, on May 31, 2006 Kenya's National Assembly voted to criminalize the worst forms of sexual offenses. The resulting Sexual Offenses Act 2006 is arguably one of the most important pieces of legislation to empower women since Kenya's independence. It is for that inspiring reason that we nominated her for the Secretary of State's award for courageous women. Please accept my warmest congratulations on this well-deserved honor.
I'd also like to salute Jacinta Mwatela who was until recently the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. Ms. Mwatela became the Acting Governor at a critical time in the investigation of suspected money laundering, tax evasion and violations of banking laws at Charterhouse Bank. Although some attributed the suspension of her predecessor, Governor Mullei, to his efforts to investigate Charterhouse, as Acting Governor, Mwatela was undeterred and showed great courage and resolve in pursuing the investigation. Her investigation led to the eventual closure of the bank. You too are an inspiration to empowered women!
Unsung Heroes
I want to recognize from among the many distinguished women present tonight, three unsung heroes. They too are an inspiration.
- Pepetua Mugure Mugambi is a blind acupuncturist and masseuse who was trained in Japan and speaks fluent Japanese. She runs a home clinic in Kahawa West Estate. She was blinded by a measles attack when she was just one and a half years old. Pepetua, we salute your inspirational determination and accomplishment.
- Hellen Anyiso Otolo Oduk is a lecturer on philosophy and gender matters at Kenyatta University. She mentors female students and is the head of the Young Women Initiative at the University. This body brings together female students in a forum to exchange ideas over social challenges facing them. They visit girls' secondary schools to teach their "younger sisters." Hellen, we salute your inspirational leadership and work.
- Jacqueline Machaka is the director of Language Solutions Centre. The school offers language instruction as well as translation and interpretation services. She started the school in 2004 when she was just 27 years old. She is fluent in Chinese and Spanish as well, of course, as English and Kiswahili. Jacqueline, we salute your example of a young woman who has taken the initiative and demonstrated business leadership.
Given that we are entering the electoral season in Kenya, it is particularly appropriate to address the issue of women and democracy. Gains for women's empowerment must be accompanied by commensurate progress in the political realm: women in Kenya need greater representation in politics and governance.
There are many Kenyan women who aspire to be their communities' elected representatives. Running for public office is challenging for the most seasoned politicians, but the barriers are markedly greater for women in Kenya: negative stereotyping, violence, and intimidation continue to impede women's participation both as candidates and voters. Daunting as these challenges are, they must not deter Kenya's aspiring leaders.
Much simpler, but no less profound than becoming a member of parliament, is the basic act of participating - registering to vote, and then voting; raising issues with your elected officials and then holding them accountable for their actions. Using your networks, you can get the message out, and mobilize women to get their names on the voters' list. Women are half of this country - you are a formidable voice that must be heard!
Another example of the incredible impact of empowered women is found in an area of significant concern to both Kenyans and Kenya's friends: corruption. The World Bank concluded, based on a 1999 study, that the greater the representation of women in a country's parliament, the lower the level of corruption in that state. Researchers found that women are less likely to sacrifice the public good for personal gain. Increased female participation in government leads to more honest government - one more reason, among many, why more women belong in public office.
Tonight, I am pleased that we are making several announcements of new U.S. initiatives to support women's empowerment. I'll touch on two of them, and Assistant Secretary Powell will discuss another on exchanges that is related.
Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative
While the incredible women here tonight have made significant strides in improving gender equity in Kenya, there is more work to be done. I am pleased to take the opportunity of International Women's Day to reaffirm the United States' commitment to supporting Kenyans on this journey. Tonight I am proud to announce a new program which we think will have significant and lasting impact in improving the lives of women in Kenya.
The Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative will work to assist the existing efforts in Kenya to combat sexual violence and abuse against women and to empower them in society. Kenya, along with Zambia, Benin, and South Africa has been selected to benefit from this initiative.
As you all know, the causes of sexual violence are complex and varied but common contributing factors include: lack of awareness; laws and practices that discriminate against women and limit their access to economic and judicial resources; judicial systems ill-equipped to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual violence; and inadequate services to assist victims of sexual violence. The United States is planning on providing $4.0 million in assistance for the first year of implementing this program in Kenya to protect women and to empower their role in society. This will be used to increase awareness of the need for women's justice and empowerment by addressing attitudes towards women, preventing violence, and educating Kenyans on their legal rights.
The program will bolster women's justice and empowerment by strengthening the capacity of the legal system to protect women and punish violators by training police, prosecutors, and judges in sexual violence and abuse cases. This initiative will also raise women's awareness of their rights, and increase the availability of essential medical services and counseling programs for victims of sexual violence.
Combating Female Genital Mutilation
We will ensure that the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative also addresses one of the worst forms of violence against women: female genital mutilation. While this practice has rightfully been outlawed in Kenya, it remains a scourge in many parts of the country. In support of the implementation of the anti-FGM legislation, we have partnered with Kenyans to mainstream anti-gender-based violence activities, including FGM, in the healthcare system.
As a further step in our support for combating this horrendous practice, we will provide assistance for the run to raise awareness against FGM to be held in April in the TransMara by the non-governmental organization Cherish Others, headed by Ruth Konchellah who is here with us tonight. I am pleased that the U.S. is continuing to support the efforts of Cherish Others, which has already saved many girls in the TransMara from FGM. Ruth and her team have worked hard to spread the message of the horrors of FGM to young women themselves, but also, and perhaps just as importantly, to their parents. I plan to participate in the run that Cherish Others is hosting. I hope that this event will help inspire everyone to redouble efforts to combat this awful practice. FGM has no place in the modern world!
Ensuring that women are empowered to combat and overcome violence is fundamental to human dignity and a critical factor for achieving sustainable economic development and social harmony. This is the challenge to you as women leaders in Kenya: to intensify your participation in the democratic process, to make Kenya a safer place for women with a more responsive justice system, and to build a society that respects women's rights and the profound contribution women make in their communities.
As you engage in the difficult work of dedicated and committed women, know that the United States stands by you and so many other women struggling against stereotypes, and tradition, and outright discrimination. Through the Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative and other programs we will intensify our partnership with Kenya's women, helping to empower them as they continue building Kenya's bright future.