BUNGE LA MWANANCHI WOMEN SOCIAL MOVEMENT REPORT ON CONSTITUTION

VENUE : KIAMAIKO THAYU PRIMARY SCHOOL

DATE : 16TH JULY 2009

TIME : 9.00 AM TO 3.00 PM

SUBJECT : WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CONSTITUTION

The forum began at around 9.30 am with a word of prayer conducted both in Islamic and Christian. Thereafter the community in charge sang the National anthem in solidarity of the hard task and challenges facing them. There was introduction by every participant as Ruth Mumbi prepared to present a small history of Bunge Women Movement.

ABOUT US

Bunge women movement was developed as an alternative voice for a participatory platform in sharp contrast to the general absence of an organic. Women movement space for political representation and opportunity of dialoguing around their permanent socio-political and economic issues.

The women living contrary to their men compatriots began at Kiamaiko slums under the umbrella of Kiamaiko Young Women. The women in community organizing followed the footsteps of their comrade brothers to offer themselves as a viable alternative platform to challenge the corruption riddled and ethno-factional nature of the Grand coalition government and official party politics.

The women movement endeavors to educate the women masses on our socio-economic dilemmas their link to politics is and what solutions politics is supposed to produce to them. Hence the movement is supposed to raise the political consciousness and enable them make informed political decisions. The women are now calling upon fellow Kenyan women to open new chapters around the country and make their voices heard.

About constitution and constitution making process

Constitution: The women defined it as a document that binds and protects its citizenry.

Constitution making process: The Bunge women who attended the forum claimed that the Lancaster Constitution was never participatory, as women were not represented. They further went ahead and claimed that the men who attended were short changed and had the women participated, today, Kenyans would not have been complaining about new constitution. They also claimed that the views they gave to CKRC were also changed at Bomas hence delaying the process.

KIAMAIKO WOMEN DECLARATION ON constitution

We the Kiamaiko Bunge la Mwananchi women social movement on this 16th day of July having examined the numerous contradictions imposed on the average Kenyan women the imposed poverty, under development and deprivation of Kiamaiko and women around the country; bearing in the mind that the rising food and other commodities prices are the direct result of increased Grand coalition government aggression against oppressed Mwananchi.

Realizing and understanding that transition from one government to another during the past 45 years has only accelerated the pains and sufferings of the Kenyan poor women. We hereby resolve on the following:

1. That free available and quality education must be provided for and to all Kenyans children. The women also insisted that the private schools should be abolished and new educational curriculum that speaks to the history, culture and development requirements of Kenya and its people must be developed by the progressive African intellectuals and adopted by all schools.

2. Those free, available and efficient healthy care facilities must be provided for all Kenyans. There was a popular vote amongst the women that all private hospitals and chemists should be closed as this is where the Government drug is normally channeled.

3. That right food should be placed as a bill on its own and not as currently constituted under the bill of rights. There was also an agreement that the bill should clearly state what actions should the Mwananchi take should the government fail to provide food for all its citizens.

4. That better conditions of services and employment including the development of minimum wage for all Kenyans must be included in the constitution.

5. That specific employment opportunities and social programs that would genuinely address the problems of the youth’s unemployment and their inclusion in all areas of development must be enshrined in the constitution.

6. That specified programs that elevate and promote the interest, dignity and position of Kenyan women in our communities must be developed adopted and supported.

7. That land should be nationalized to enable the Kenyan women produce food in abundance for the stability of the nation.

8. That the current crisis created by continued looting of Kenya by Kenyan elites and certain political clique

9. And particularly the political class, have to be resisted and defeated by any measures necessary.

10. That water is a natural resource that is available in the country therefore there should be no water in the country a constitution that will protect the environment. All private companies selling water should be shut down.

11. That a better and affordable housing system should be put in place to protect the landlord and the tenants.

12. That the price control should be introduced in the constitution to avoid the hike of basic food prices.

13. That there should be a recall clause for all political elect offices to improve efficiency on political offices. (President, MPs, councilors etc)

Way forward

The women agreed that they will be meeting every Monday evening at their parliament to educate more and more women for a joint action on the resolution passed.

To network with other CBOs and CSOs within the constituency educating them on the resolutions passed with an aim of organizing a Bunge Women Constituents Assembly.

The meeting came to an end at around 4.00pm. Members ate their lunch and therefore dispersed the meeting was attended meeting was attended by 250 women and MEW (MEN FOR EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN) was represented.

Ann Muniu gave the votes of thanks by congratulating FAHAMU for making the event a success by sponsoring the Bunge la Mwananchi Women Social Movement fully, it was also agreed that a further meeting with to empower and educate the women should be arranged.

REPORT DRAFTED BY
RUTH MUMBI KIAMAIKO YOUNG WOMEN RESOURCE CENTER
RAHMA WAKO KIAMAIKO BUNGE LA MWANANCHI SOCIAL MOVEMENT
VICTORIA ATIENO MATHARE MUMS PAMOJA TUNAWEZA