Category Archives: WOMEN’S EQUALITY

Brazil: Government of Espirito Santo launches movement to stop violence against women

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from Aqui Noticias (translated by CPNN)

The Government of the State, through the Secretaries of State of Public Security and Social Defense (Sesp) and Human Rights (Sedh), launched, on Tuesday morning, October 10, a movement to raise awareness of violence against woman. The action is intended to promote, together with the society of the state of Espírito Santo, a culture of peace and confrontation of violence.


Photo: Leonardo Duarte / Secom

An advertising campaign will be launched in the media to promote reflection, debate and the protection of women, with the objective of reducing the high levels of violence in the state of Espírito Santo. In addition to this initiative, educational videos on social networks will also be released in the coming months, inviting the most diverse sectors of society to discuss the theme.

In a speech, Governor Paulo Hartung asked that the Movement to Combat Violence against Women be joined by everyone in the society. “The problem is a challenge to the state and we invite everyone in Espírito Santo to join forces: government authorities, institutions, public sector, society and churches. Public institutions have a responsibility to make public policies and make evaluations, but the government cannot deal with a challenge like this by itself. This is not a license for omission, but it is a summons. This is the role of a leader in the face of a calamity such as the violence against women that we face in our State and in Brazil. We have the capacity to change the reality of Espírito Santo regarding these indicators that are a great embarrassment to us. Good government is one that dialogues with society and recognizes its limitations.”

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Question related to this article:

Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

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To this end, the governor stressed that the theme should also be introduced in each family and that it is necessary to mobilize everyone in order to end the culture of machismo in Espírito Santo.

“A child who watches his father assaulting his mother learns the culture of violence. It is this behavior that we need to stop in order to strengthen the culture of peace. The challenge is to turn this action into a powerful mobilization to end machismo and change the culture of “ownership” that men have over women. If we manage to involve everyone in the society, I am sure that each one of us will deal better with his frustrations, losses and life challenges. It is necessary to change the way of thinking of some men in Espirito Santo, and ensure that women do not allow the perpetuation of violence. We have a “homework” for everyone: to remove from the scene the culture of violence and brutality and to promote a culture of peace,” concluded the governor.

According to Secretary André Garcia, the event aims to make this discussion part of the family environment, since the most diverse types of violence against women start within the home.

“It is a set of initiatives to change the current reality, which is worrying: feminicide is the final stage of domestic violence against women. The autonomy of women is repressed by violence when women are treated as objects. Since the government can not do everything, the society needs to help and reflect on how it can contribute to changing that reality,” said André Garcia.

The Secretary of State for Human Rights, Julio Pompeu, emphasizes that the moment has come to invite all the population of the state of Espírito Santo to speak up in the face of any kind of violence against women.

“As a society we can be much better than we are and for this we need to be all committed to change that situation, that we all embrace our movement and that we fight together to end violence against women,” said the Secretary of Human Rights,” Julio Pompeu.

In addition to authorities, representatives of social movements, engaged in the protection of women, were present at the event.

(Click here for the original version in Portuguese)

Latin America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Egypt: Women’s Conference in Gharbia organizes “Women’s Peacemaker” conference

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from Soutalomma (Google translation from original Arabic)

The National Council for Women in Gharbia Governorate organized a conference in the conference hall of the governorate’s General Directorate entitled “Women Who Make Peace Together against Extremism and Terrorism”, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Saqer, Governor of Al Gharbia, Major General Ahmed Saqr, Governor of Al Gharbia, Dr. Saad Al-Zant, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies and Communication Ethics, and Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Dean of the Faculty of Law Tanta University, Dr. Zeinab Abu El Fadl, Professor of Jurisprudence at the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Yasser Qansouh, Professor of Political Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts, and Dr. Rania El Kilani, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Arts and a number of executive leaders at the government level.


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Question for this article

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

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The aim of the conference was to consolidate the role of women in establishing a culture of peace, fighting extremism, stirring brotherly spirit among the people of the homeland, rejecting hate speech, rejecting the other and consolidating the role of women in dealing with the effects of terrorist events and restoring national balance.

Al-Gharbi stressed in his speech the pivotal role of women in consolidating culture of peace and eradicating terrorism and extremism through educating children especially in light of the circumstances and challenges faced by the country, pointing out the need to observe the behavior of children and work on their evaluation.

The Governor of Gharbia praised the role of Dr. Safaa Mara’i, Rapporteur of the National Council for Women in the West Branch in supporting the role of women through continuing courses to raise awareness of women in all fields and to identify the problems of rural women and to present them to the officials to solve them. During the conference, Al-Gharbia in supporting the role of women in Gharbia province and thanked him for his interest in the activities of the Council, pointing out the role of women in society and facing terrorism through proper education.

Mideast, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Feminist icons join bid to upend Congo’s rape capital reputation

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article by Sebastien Malo from the Thomson Reuters Foundation

Leading feminist figures from around the world lent their support on Thursday to scores of Congolese women gathered in a bid to end the Central African country’s rape epidemic.

Giving women a role in peace efforts in the conflict-torn nation could help address its astronomical rate of sexual violence, they said, which has earned it the tag of “rape capital of the world.”

More than 400,000 women are raped in Congo every year, and much of the sexual violence is considered to be a by-product of years of fighting.

The women, hailing from each of Congo’s provinces and meeting in Kinshasa, linked up via social media with Liberian Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee and Ms. magazine co-founder Gloria Steinem in New York.

Involving Congolese women in ending the nation’s ongoing political turmoil would help establish the law and order needed to prevent rape, they said.

Gbowee, who was co-awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her work for peace and women’s rights, warned against incendiary politics getting in the way.

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Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

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“Peace is more important than any political ideology,” she said.

“You have to tell yourselves ‘For us to start this journey, for us to work together collectively to sustain the peace in Congo, we have to put aside those things that will easily take us from on track’.”

A string of ethnically motivated attacks including rapes has been reported in recent months as Congo’s government has been fighting insurgents in the central Kasai region.

Violence in Congo follows President Joseph Kabila’s decision to stay in power beyond the end of his two-term mandate. It has escalated amid fears that a presidential election may not take place.

Speaking from her native South Africa, Navi Pillay, the former U.N. rights chief who rose to prominence as an anti-apartheid lawyer, said she was reminded of her own country’s struggles in establishing democracy for all.

“I feel for you right now because we also twenty years ago started like you did, we got into a room, all the women,” she said.

“Even though we disagreed with one another, we agreed on the principle points we want which is equality and fundamental rights and democracy.”

Gbowee, Steinem and Pillay were joined on the Donor Direct Action Facebook Live broadcast by television series creator Lena Dunham, actress Meryl Streep and Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, who called Congo the rape capital in comments she made as a United Nations Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict.

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Mexico: Authorities agree on actions to prevent violence against women

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from La Razón (translated by CPNN)

The Undersecretary for Human Rights of the Ministry of the Interior, Roberto Campa Cifrián, met with members of the National Network of Women for a Life Free of Violence in order to follow up on the commitments made by the Government of the Republic to prevent and eradicate violence against women.

The Undersecretary, along with the president of INMujeres, Lorena Cruz, and the National Commissioner for the Prevention and Eradication of Violence against Women (CONAVIM), Alejandra Negrete Morayta, discussed, among other things, inconsistencies between the existing regulations and the General Law of Women’s Access to a Life Free of Violence.

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(click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

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In this regard, the members of the National Network proposed to set up a multidisciplinary task force for the Mechanism of Alert of Gender Violence against Women (AVGM), composed of experts from the ALV, CONAVIM, INMujeres, the National Security Commission, Commissioner of the UN, CONAGO, CONAPRED, CEAV and PGR, in order to ensure the right of women to a life free of violence and to follow up on the governmental actions directed to the entities and municipalities concerned by the AVGM.

They also proposed the installation of a mechanism to monitor the alerts by the civil society in order to assess the implementation of the process; the creation of a Specialized Human Rights Prosecutor’s Office, with broad powers to punish severely any authorities responsible for the impunity of feminicidal violence in Mexico.

They also proposed considering the incorporation of some human rights defenders from the alert process into the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists to safeguard their integrity and security.

Undersecretary Campa Cifrián, the head of INMujeres, Cruz Sánchez, and CONAVIM commissioner Negrete Morayta endorsed the government’s provision and offered to follow up on the proposals submitted, reflecting the commitment of the Government of the Republic to women and their right to a life free of violence.

Latin America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Women’s Council for Peace in Colombia created by indigenous women

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from FILAC – The Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean

Seeking greater political participation and with the intention of working for peace, especially in their community, but also in the country, the indigenous women of Colombia have created a Council of Women for Peace.


(Click on photo to enlarge)

In Colombia, women belonging to the indigenous peoples of the region consider that they have had to face “armed conflict, psychological violence” and even “conflicts in their home”, according to Margarita Rodríguez, an indigenous representative.
 
The council in question was presented along with appropriate rituals and the name Conamic, National Council of Women of Colombia. The group includes representatives of the 10 Colombian indigenous peoples and will immerse itself in the world of politics with the intention of generating peace.

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Question for this article

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

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In Colombia there are more than two million indigenous people belonging to 102 villages, according to the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia, known by its acronym ONIC.
 
Margarita belongs to the Sikuani people. During the meeting in which they made the council official, she revealed that they have been meeting since 2013 and emphasized that it is not a last minute decision, but something that they have been working for and thinking about for some time.
 
Nasa, Pasto, Tanacona, Sikuani, Misak, Emberá, Wayú, Arhuaco, Pijao and Yeral are the names of the ten peoples that make up this council of Colombian indigenous women.
 
For them, the participation and empowerment of women is important, considering the violent situations in which they have been involved, and especially if it is about achieving peace, said Ivonne González, director of human rights at the Ministry of Interior. She added that “having a group of indigenous women today is fundamental because the activism of women was what led to a gender subcommittee in the Havana agreements.”
 
For her part, a council representative present at the Conamic initiation ritual said that “respect for the life, integrity and security of all women is a fundamental duty of the country. We do not want women killed in our territories or outside them.”

(Click here for the Spanish original of this article.)

Latin America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Gravatá, Pernambuco, Brazil: Combating violence against women now in the classroom

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from the Prefeitura de Gravatá

A partnership between the Women’s Secretariat and the Department of Education will bring to debate the importance of the Maria da Penha Law to municipal schools, as well as raise students’ awareness of the need to combat violence against women, to prevent domestic violence and to build a culture of peace.


Project members: The City Secretary for Women, Taciana Medeiros, is in center dressed in dark blue

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Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

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[Editor’s note: Maria da Penha, a victim of domestic violence by her husband, fought for her attacker to be condemned and is now a leader of the movement for the defense of women’s rights. As a result, on August 7, 2006, the president of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva put into practice the Federal Brazilian Law 11340, now known as the Law Maria da Penha, in which the severity of punishment for domestic violence against women was increased.]

This morning (August 14), a meeting was held with managers and educators of the municipal school system to present the need to develop activities on the subject with children and adolescents and to elaborate a plan of action.

Entitled “Maria da Penha goes to School”, the project works on education as the best form of prevention. The City Secretary for Women, Taciana Medeiros, highlights the participation of students as fundamental for building a better future.

She affirms that “Educating children and adolescents, teaching to respect and live in harmony is the best way to combat violence, we need to invest in the training of conscious individuals.”

Schools must carry out activities by the end of September.

(Click here for the original version in Portuguese)

Latin America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Africa: UN deputy chief says ‘messages of women’ vital to sustainable peace, development

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article from the United Nations

Urgent action is needed now towards the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, as well ensuring their voices are heard in all aspects of society, the United Nations deputy chief told reporters in Abuja today [20 July] as part of a first-ever UN-African Union trip focused on women, peace and security.


Video: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed (second from the left), alongside UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten, and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development of Nigeria, Aisha Alhassan, speaking to the press in Abuja.

Urgent action is needed now towards the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, as well ensuring their voices are heard in all aspects of society, the United Nations deputy chief told reporters in Abuja today [20 July] as part of a first-ever UN-African Union trip focused on women, peace and security.

“It is about action. It is about implementation,” Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told the press in the Nigerian capital, where she also spotlighted the importance advancing gender equality as a precondition for sustainable development for all.

During the joint AU-UN high-level trip, which will move on from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ms. Mohammed will be accompanied by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the Special Envoy of the AU on Women, Peace and Security, Bineta Diop.

“It is a new era,” Ms. Mohammed continued, “a new era where we have many tools at our disposal.”

“We know that from the economy to stability and peace, we are not able to achieve our goals if we are only investing in half of the population. “Human resource is a major asset of a nation and a continent. Women often account for half. But they lack the investment we need,” she added, urging that women’s voices be heard in all aspects of society.

Ms. Mohammed cited various challenges, which went beyond abject poverty to encompass high maternal mortality rates, extremism and education gaps.

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Question for this article

Does the UN advance equality for women?

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“What we really want to do is to hear and bring the messages of women – women in decision-making, women who bear the brunt and carry the burden of many of the tragedies that we see – to see how we can come out of this, how we can be a constructive partner in finding the solutions to sustainable development,” she stressed.

According to Ms. Mohammed: “It makes economic sense. It’s not charity. It is about rights […] it’s a huge part of our economic development.”

Over the past two days, the deputy UN chief met with the acting President and key ministers on these and other issues that affect development.

nvesting in Sustainable Development Goals can help prevent conflict
From the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria’s north-east to the conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, she said conflicts drain the country’s economy of resources that could be better used for development.

“Without peace we cannot have development. Whatever investments that we are putting into development we are seeing them eroded by the lack of peace,” she underscored.

Ms. Mohammed also spoke about meeting with young refugee girls, who, living in camps, fled tragedies, including some of the freed Chibok girls. “We heard stories that young girls should not have to tell, and these have been a tragedy for all of us,” she lamented.

However, the deputy UN chief was inspired by their spirit as they “refuse to be victims and are survivors with a future that is bright.”

“We saw girls […] who talked about their dreams – no longer their nightmares,” she said, adding that while challenges remain as there are many girls still left behind, “it shows that there is hope.”

Ms. Mohammed underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships with Nigeria and the African Union for a scaled-up response to support women and girls who face these tragedies.

Turning to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she emphasized that by investing in them, “we can look at the root causes […] we can prevent the conflict from happening.”

Also, as present conflicts are resolved, the SDGs provide an opportunity “to invest in the day after, to make sure that we are building back so that we don’t lose the dividend of peace.”

Africa, United Nations, WOMEN'S EQUALITY,

Eliminating sexual violence in conflict through the International Criminal Court

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from the Coalition for the International Criminal Court

19 June marks the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. It is the second time this International Day is celebrated, and this year’s theme “Preventing Sexual Violence Crimes through Justice and Deterrence” commemorates the advances that have been made through international justice, not in the least through the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to eradicate these heinous crimes.


The documentary “The Uncondemned” profiles the Rwandan women, lawyers and activists who helped bring about the first prosecution of rape as a war crime © The Uncondemned

SGBV: A conflict strategy

Conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a widespread weapon of war—seen in conflicts in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Darfur and Syria, to name but a few. It is used to terrorize, to degrade, to punish communities and to ethnically “cleanse.” Women and girls are predominantly the victims; but men and boys are also targeted and suffer. Survivors are often marginalized and stigmatized, with little hope of seeing their attackers brought to justice.

“Sexual violence is a threat to every individual’s right to a life of dignity, and to humanity’s collective peace and security. … Let us therefore use this day to rededicate ourselves, on behalf of every survivor, to ending sexual violence in conflict and providing peace and justice for all.” — UN Secretary-General, António Guterres

The Rome Statute: Prosecuting the perpetrators

Encouragingly, the past four years have seen much more visibility for SGBV on the international justice, peace and security agendas since the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2106 in June 2013, which recognizes the centrality of ending impunity for the prevention of SGBV in conflict and encourages states to strengthen accountability at the national level.

Adopted in 1998, the Rome Statute was one of the first international treaties to extensively address conflict-related SGBV as crimes against humanity, war crimes and, in some instances, genocide. From the beginning of her term in office, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has been proactive in addressing the gender-justice gap and made the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes a priority as witnessed by her Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes, the first ever such document for an international court or tribunal.

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Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

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“The message to perpetrators and would-be perpetrators must be clear: sexual violence and gender-based crimes in conflict will neither be tolerated nor ignored at the ICC. We will spare no effort to bring accountability for these crimes and in so doing, contribute to deterring the commission of such heinous crimes in the future. As a matter of policy, the Office will systematically include relevant charges in its cases on the basis of evidence of criminality.” – ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

The Rome Statute also contributes to accountability and redress for SGBV through its catalytic effect at the national level. This means that if a state ratifies the Statute and incorporates its far-reaching SGBV provisions into domestic legislation, these crimes can be prosecuted by national courts. By supporting the universality of the Rome Statute and the incorporation of Rome Statute crimes into domestic law, states and civil society can help ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are held accountable. Many have argued the potential for such a shift in domestic legal culture to promote gender equality more broadly by strengthening women’s rights and increasing their access to justice.

The ICC: Inclusive gender justice

Another example of the Court’s catalytic effect is the vastly under-reported and misunderstood SGBV against men and boys in conflict. It is very difficult to even just talk about SGBV related issues in any culture, an issue that is exacerbated when such violence targets men and boys. The ICC’s Rome Statute, which is explicitly gender-neutral in its description of what constitutes sexual violence, is seen by many as a potential leader is bringing this conversation home to the domestic level.

While there are encouraging signs that conflict-related SGBV is finally getting the attention it so badly deserves, civil society will continue its efforts to ensure the eradication of sexual violence in conflict remains at the top of the international agenda. Commitments made at the UN and elsewhere need to turn into action and accountability. States need to provide greater support to stakeholders in addressing the root causes of gendered violence, strengthen efforts for redress for victim-survivors and ensure that women and gender perspectives are always part of prevention and peace processes.

And the ICC is doing its part. The Court handed down its first conviction for rape as a war crime and as a crime against humanity in March 2016 – against former Congolese rebel militia leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. By developing international jurisprudence on SGBV, the ICC is showing that sexual violence can no longer be treated as a collateral crime; helping destigmatize victims; and working to deter the future commission of such heinous acts.

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

global, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

UN: New films on Global Goals spotlight women’s journeys of resilience

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article from UN Women

On 12 June, the Leave No One Behind Coalition, together with UN Women launched four new films that show how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a set of 17 global goals unanimously adopted by governments worldwide—can truly transform the lives of women and girls.

The films show that notwithstanding the barriers, women and girls are finding ways to forge ahead.


Eunice and Josephine

Trapped in the informal sector, Eunice and Josephine had to leave their jobs working in the flower industry in Kenya because the chemicals used were making them ill. In the film, which focuses on economic empowerment, we witness their struggle to find work and feed their families.

Juddy’s story

Juddy talks about overcoming her disability to become an entrepreneur. She is now a leader in her community, teaching other women how they can empower themselves and overcome poverty. Her story shows what is possible when we tackle inequalities

Josephine and Cecilia

Josephine and Cecilia, made difficult decisions to flee their homes to avoid Female Genital Mutilation and early forced marriage. Their story shows the importance of education and tackling harmful practices. Josephine, who is now studying for a degree in law, is a role model for other girls in the community

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Question for this article

Does the UN advance equality for women?

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Tracy

Tracy grew up in one of the poorest areas of Nairobi, but is a talented clarinet player. Tracy joined an orchestra, which provided her with a scholarship and opened new doors for her, showing how quality education and opportunity can transform lives.

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The SDGs can be achieved if policies are implemented to unlock the potential of women and girls. The films are intended to raise awareness and spark dialogues in the lead-up to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2017, in New York. Governments and the international development community will come together to review SDG progress.

The Leave No One Behind Coalition is urging governments to put the women and girls who are furthest behind first, to make sure that they have the same life chances as everyone else.

The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs present a roadmap for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment over the next 13 years. The 17 “Global Goals” that are deeply interconnected, have the potential to end poverty, tackle climate change and other pressing challenges, and once and for all, close the gender gap in homes, schools, the economy and politics.

At the heart of the Global Goals is a commitment to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’. Too often, it is women and girls who are left furthest behind, with fewer opportunities to escape poverty, violence or restrictive cultural practices. Conversely, without empowering women and girls, the Global Goals cannot be achieved.

United Nations, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Kenya’s pastoralists look beyond patriarchy to property rights for women

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article by Wesley Langat for Thomson Reuters (reprinted by permission)

Norah Chepkulul, a single mother of two young sons, stands outside her home, a grass thatched hut surrounded by cactus-like euphoria trees on the dusty Maasai Mara road in Kenya’s Rift Valley. She has just finished milking her four cows and has asked the boys to keep an eye on the goats corralled in the little compound.

A few years ago, a single mother taking sole responsibility for her family would have been a rare sight among the pastoral Kipsigis and Maasai communities. Traditionally, the predominantly herder societies are patriarchal and men are the decision-makers and managers of land and stock. But over-grazing and the sub-division and privatisation of land and its transfer to agricultural use has forced herder communities to accept and adopt new land strategies, including applying for security of tenure and women in land transfer and inheritance.

“Getting married these days is no longer a priority,” Chepkulul told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “I am not married and being a single mother is not easy. I stay at home with my four children as a mother – and as a father, too.”

Deeply-rooted obstacles in society, along with the big gap between new laws against gender discrimination and local custom and tradition however continue to be a problem for women.

Chepkulul, is one of the lucky ones. Her family acknowledged her daily battle to feed, house and educate her children and gave her a plot of land to work, flying in the face of cultural traditions.

“My family members saw the economic challenges I faced in bringing up my children, felt pity, and gave me a small portion of land to farm and put my house on,” she said.

“Sometimes when there is a financial challenge at home, for example hospital bills for the parents, you’re told to sell that cow and any other assets.

“For my brothers that is considered the last option – there is no equality at all. I wish they could realise that my children are the same as theirs.”

Local priest, Mathew Sigilai, believes that the combination of economic pressure and new gender equality laws in Kenya is slowly eroding deep-seated cultural beliefs.

“Things have changed and the population has grown and nowadays, getting married is not guaranteed,” he said.

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Question related to this article:

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

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CHANGING ATTITUDES

“As a parent, if my daughter is not married, I will not chase her away. Instead I give her a farm or a cow to earn a living and start off her life like a son.”

Chepkulul’s neighbour, 56-year-old Juliana, recalls her youth, a time when things were even tougher for unmarried women.

“When you were not married, it was difficult to find accommodation or a home. You would not be allowed to stay with your parents. Sometimes a neighbour sympathised with you and offered you an old house,” she said.

“But later, when they wanted it back, you had to leave and find another place … that was life for unmarried women, they were considered outsiders.”

A 2014 World Bank report, Gender at Work, showed that legal discrimination against women on inheritance and property rights remains common in many areas of the world, including the Middle East, North Africa, parts of South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.

However, between 1960 and 2010, the report said, Kenya had slashed the number of discriminatory laws against women’s property ownership and rights by more than half.

Purity Wawerua, a retired Kenya Wildlife officer who belongs to a different tribe agreed there had been important progress in women’s inheritance rights among the Maasai.

Land used to be a major source of disputes, particularly after long marriages ended in divorce, she said.

“When (the woman) goes back to her parents’ home, it becomes a problem,” she said. “Thanks to the new Kenyan constitution, equal rights are given to both genders.”

However, according to Mitchelle Oyuga, of the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya), there is still room for improvement.

“People have become quite aware that children are equal and it’s a provision in the new constitution,” she said.

“You are allowed to farm, to do any kind of work on that farm, but when it comes to selling the farm, women are given secondary rights,” she said.

At her home in the Rift Valley, Chepkulul agrees and says that speaking up for themselves remains the most difficult hurdle for many women.

“When you despair you feel like speaking out but no one can understand what you’re going through,” she said.

“Sometimes I have been thinking … that if God had really created human beings equally, there would be no discrimination on gender and all people would have been the same.”

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY