Women in Politics – Udada na Siasa, Jun. 26-30 2017 @ Alliance Française & Goethe Institut

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Dates: June 26 – 30, 2017
Venue: Alliance Française & Goethe Institut

Udada na Siasa – A level playing field?
The Alliance Française Nairobi and the Goethe-Institut Kenya are presenting a series of activities on the topic of ‘Women in Politics – Udada na Siasa’ views from Germany, France and Kenya, from 26th to 30th June.

In a year, when all three countries Germany, France and Kenya have either held their General Elections or will be holding them, this French-German initiative, supported by the French-German Cultural Fund and the European Union Delegation in Kenya, will explore and compare the challenges encountered by women in decision making and political processes in the three countries.

Through panel discussions, digital art installations, twitter conversations, participatory puppet theatre performances and a multi-media film, artists, experts and the general public will reflect on the place of women in politics from the perspectives of the electorate and the politicians.

In France, after the second round of legislative elections on last Sunday, 223 women were elected to France’s lower house. With 38.65% of seats in the National Assembly, the election marks a new record for female representation in the French parliament. It’s good news for equality: Women now hold 223 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly but still falls short of true equality in representation.

In Kenya, women are likely to be elected for the first time to some of Kenya’s powerful governor positions heralding a political breakthrough in a patriarchal society where women have struggled to make gains in the face of violence, intimidation and sexism.

In Germany, although Angela Merkel has been in the office of the chancellor since 2005, only approximately 33 % of the members of the Federal German Parliament are women. The old idea that women should focus on Kinder, Kirche, und Küche—children, church, and kitchen – still holds sway in the country. The way to a political office is solely through engagement in the parties and the male dominated hierarchies. The sexist actions and utterances create a hostile atmosphere towards women, thus discouraging them from political engagement.

How can more progress be made towards a level playing field? Join us next week. For the full programme of activities, click here.

Blankets & Wine Artist Talk: Nneka, Muthoni the Drummer Queen & Fena, Apr. 8 2017 @ Goethe Institut Auditorium

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Date & time: Saturday, April 8th, 1.00PM – 3:30PM
Venue: Goethe Institut Auditorium
Theme: Together for Change – Women empowerment through the arts

Panel: Nneka, Muthoni the Drummer Queen and Fena

About
Nneka is returning to Nairobi for the first Blankets & Wine of the year on Sunday, April 9th. Before you watch her perform, join us at the Goethe Institute this Saturday, April 8th from 1:00 PM for an intimate Q&A panel featuring Nneka, Muthoni the Drummer Queen and Fena.
Nneka will share more about her newly released collaboration album “Republique Amazone”, and the inspiration behind the album which seeks to unite and empower women across Africa to use their talents for the improvement of their communities and the world.

Forum: Empowered yet Displaced, Mar. 14 2017 @ Seminar Room – Rift Valley Institute

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Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Venue: Rift Valley Institute, Kileleshwa
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Entry: Prior RSVP

About
Every year since 2008, the world had become less peaceful. In the Horn and Central Africa, conflict threatens and destroys the lives, homes and jobs of millions of women, men and children, trapping them in a vicious cycle of violence, poverty and inequality. Efforts to address and prevent conflicts and disasters face serious obstacles. In these countries, civil society space is shrinking as both physical and political access is limited and upholding humanitarian principles of impartiality and independence—particularly in conflict situations—remains a key challenge.

By the beginning of this year, it was believed that over 51 million people were forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. This is believed to be the highest number since the Second World War. One-third of the world’s poor live in fragile and conflict-ridden countries. By 2018, this share is likely to grow to half, and by 2030 it could be as much as two-thirds.

On 14 March 2017, the Rift Valley Forum will host a panel discussion and photo exhibition featuring voices of displaced women in South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda and parts of the DRC. The discussion will look into peace processes in the region and the role of the international community in ensuring that peace agreements are implemented.

Discussants
Dr. Cirino Hiteng, South Sudanese Scholar
Shuvai Busuman Nyoni, Director – Africa Leadership Centre
Madame Domitille Barancira, Burundian Women Movement for Peace and Security
Peter Kamalingin , Oxfam- Uganda