By Emmanuel Maleve
On Thursday 23rd March 2023, Kitui Woman Representative Dr. Irene Kasalu was elected the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) Secretary General in the 13th Parliament.
Leah Sankaire, the Kajiado woman representative, was elected the Chairperson. Hon. Beatrice Elachi, the Dagoretti North Member of Parliament , was elected the Deputy Chairperson in the National Assembly while senator Catherine Mumma was elected vice chairperson in the Senate.
Also elected are Hon. Phyllis Bartoo (deputy secretary), Hon.Caroline Ngelechei ( Treasurer), Senator Beth Syengo (Deputy Treasurer), Senator Crystal Asige (PWDs Representative) and Hon. Umulker Harun (Youth Representative).
KEWOPA is a membership association of all women parliamentarians drawn from across all political parties – both elected and nominated- in the Senate and National Assembly.
The mission of the association is to promote the advancement of parliarmentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance.
The group also facilitates the networking of women parliamentarians for the socio-economic and political development of Kenya.
KEWOPA achievements in both houses include contribution towards the realization of the family Marriage Act 2014 and the Matrimonial Property Act 2013 and Protection Against Domestic Violence Act.
The association is also credited for spearheading the push for the realization of the two thirds gender principle as proposed by the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2015.
Other achievements include the development of the gender responsive budgeting guidelines for Parliament and the development of a Members Handbook on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
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