THE STRENGTH OF A WOMAN: Happy Mother's Day.

I just read a tweet from one of the many contributors in global debates as we mark the International Women's Day centenary that, women generally contribute some 66% of global labor, they earn some 11% income for that and only own a paltry 1% of property. I can't verify the authenticity of these figures but if we put aside the mathematical accuracies and statistical significance of these figures just for a second and just focus on the message behind the figures, it clearly represents the plight and struggles the  average woman has to contend with whether in Bangladesh, Nairobi, Reo de Genairo etc.
Women make up the largest share of the population in many countries, yet hitherto, they have been unable to moblise their numerical advantage to champion for their rights and the right of the girl child.
The society has continually given the womenfolk a raw deal and a second class citizen kind of position in different spheres of our lives be it in politics, education and even in religious circles. Women have been made to believe that they are never equal to their male counterparts and as such any efforts made towards tipping that balance or upsetting the status quo is perceived as outlandish at best or completely out of this world. In some traditional societies, challenging a male dominated sphere would be interpreted as challenging the culture and norms of such a society which are normally carefully guarded and in favor of men.
In education matters, given a choice between educating a girl child and/or educating a boy child, most parents would sacrifice a girl's education and future at the alter of the boy's. This trend has been seen in virtually all communities with a strong tie to their bequeathed culture and traditions. In countries like Afghanistan for instance, its an offence for a girl or  woman for that matter to walk alone outside without being accompanied by a male relative. This means therefore that, if one wants to even go to school, they must have some male figure accompanying them and if that doesn't happen then it means they'll have to stay at home and remain immobilized. Girls are also prohibited from going to school as this would "spoil" them. In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive vehicles while in Somalia its an offence for a woman to put on a brassier.
The same culture has been used to deny women ownership of property like land which has the immense power of extricating them from the tentacles of poverty and want through economic empowerment that would allow them access to small micro-finance loans for their development.
Politically, the nature of our politics so far has been so murky and controlled by a coterie of oligarchs forming impenetrable circles of influence which conspire to control power and only circulate it to members of the "club" most of whom are cronies and family members. Many political parties have denied women candidates certificates for running as candidates during elections in the guise that they lack popularity and are therefore a liability of sorts. Many women thus have been reduced to spectators with only the radicals getting crumbs in the form of direct nominations which reduce them to puppets since they lack the direct mandate from any jurisdiction. In some cultures, women are either forced to vote for their husbands preferred candidates or denied their suffrage all together. All these goes a long way is denying them that one voice at their disposal for electing the right leaders who understand their issues. The world is awash with exemplary political leaders like Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Angela Merkel of Germany, the late Bhutto of Pakistan and Hillary R.Clinton who is currently US'Secretary of State. All these women & many others in business and science show us that even women have something valuable to offer.
The religious organisations haven't been left behind as far as undermining women is concerned. Many religious organizations adhere to doctrines that prohibit women from occupying certain positions of leadership or strictly coming up with the do's and don'ts as far as their dressing code is concerned. Others still segregate women by either telling them not to mingle with men or setting a aside a designated area where women can occupy while worshiping.
These are just some of the struggles and impediments women go through on a day to day basis. The dynamics vary depending on the environment where one is. But one thing that is clear is that the world cannot continue to ignore women any more. So much has changed with the evolution of the internet which spurred globalization thus enhancing information and knowledge exchange.
If the world wants to achieve the MDGs in the shortest time possible, i'd suggest we empower women. This can only be achieved when all of us work towards that same goal for synergy. It doesn't help much when only women from a certain corner of the world are liberated while the rest are left shackled. This has to be a concerted effort with great focus in countries where women suffer the most. Governments have to review their strategies and safeguard women's rights not only in their programmes but most vitally, ensuring that they are entrenched in their constitutions. Issues to deal with property ownership, maternal health, education for the girl child among many others, are key pillars that would empower women thus enabling them to also enjoy the opportunities that their male counterparts have enjoyed until now.
For this to succeed, there ought to be attitude change especially among men who have been accused of putting up these glass ceilings that impede women development. As the old adage goes, behind any successful man, there's a woman. In the same breadth, i'd coin my saying by noting that, behind any successful nation or mission, there's a woman.
Happy Mother's Day To All Women!

WHY PRESIDENT KIBAKI'S NEWEST ATTEMPT TO CONVINCE THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT A DEFERRAL OF THE KENYAN CASES AT THE ICC IS FUTILE AND WOULD AMOUNT TO NAUGHT.

It appears president Kibaki's knowledge about the dynamics of the UN security council and the voting patterns on issues of importance to the members is as basic and misguided as that of his deputy VP on matters Wikileaks.
There's something in the UN/diplomatic circles known as the veto power. This means if all the five(5) UN permanent members were to cast their votes on an issue considered important, say for instance, the Kenyan attempt/request for a deferral of her cases from the ICC, and it happens that one member votes against that request, the whole project will come to a naught.
Am pretty sure about a few things concerning the way the vote normally goes or rather the patterns, going by how the five(5) permanent members have been casting their votes over the years. Normally, China and Russia behave like 'rebel' council members always at cross-purposes with the wishes of the other three(3) members; the US, Britain and France. These three(3) have been consistent in their voting patterns on issues as controversial as the sanctions to be slapped on countries like Iran breaching the non-proliferation treaty ratified by the world nuclear powers, to measures to be taken concerning terrorism and the politics of the former Yugoslavia and Gorgia's moves for cessation from the larger USSR among many others.
These patterns are largely driven by the politics of the balance of power by the countries(Russia and China's), their history and governance systems and structure largely leaning towards communism contrary to the other three(3) who embraced capitalism for decades now.
If this trend is anything to go by, the attempts made by the president (obviously without consulting the PM and thus contravenes the spirit of the National Accord ratified by the two(2)) are futile considering that the west(in this case meaning the US, Britain and France), abhors the way this country (Kenya) has been run. The high levels of corruption, inefficiencies, human right violations and yes, impunity haven't gone unnoticed even by the whistle blowing site Wikileaks.
I personally reckon that the recent leaked diplomatic cables about US Amb. Ranneberger perception of our leader's commitment to reforms and the full implementation of the constitution, resonates well and are in tandem with those of Barrack Obama and other western countries.
This therefore is another waste of tax payer's money on a mission that lacks a wider public support and can be interprated by the victims of the post-election violence(PEV) as an attempt again by the president and his allies to deny them the much awaited justice. Mark you, we haven't finished auditing what the VP's recent shuttle diplomatic missions to some African countries some of which are in the brink of collapse like Libya and Egypt. We haven't gotten a report from him or whoever sent him there what he achieved and how does that benefit the ordinary Kenyan or is it another blatant display of impunity?
As a country we must not allow such futile moves by the politicians to waste public money yet as i write this article, there are some Kenyans still languishing in Internally displaced people's (IDP's) camps spread in different parts of the country with the government coming up with shoddy attempts at resettling them which in a way violets their human rights and human dignity something the government is convinced they are not doing.
As a country and young people of good will, we must say enough is enough by demanding for accountability and answers from the custodians of this country beginning with those who lead the government.
Lets all be vigilant and act as the third eye.