Gender equality issues have been the forefront of action in most developed countries for the past few decades and have led to the increase in the status of women. One reason why this is true is because of the development and availability of information technology to women in first world countries. Women were and are able to organize activities and support groups to help women financially, emotionally and through education, to help them gain equality. Though this seems as if it is a natural trend in the progress of women's rights, it is far from being this simple in most underdeveloped countries. Countries such as those in Africa and Asia require assistance from those that are developed and from world organizations in order to create the technology needed to organize support oppressed women.
Providing information to organizations and women in Kenya is not so simple. Some background is necessary in order to understand why. Women living in Kenya are granted very few rights and are economically marginalized, holding few jobs other than those centered around childrearing. Women essentially have no voice. Women have also had little voice in the political arena. There has been only 6 female members in the Kenyan parliament and the first woman cabinet member was only recently elected in May of 1995. Women account for 52% of the total population and 60% of the voting population, so why haven't women gained at least some civil and political equality? The answer partly lies in the political and social structure of Kenya.
First of all, the state of Kenya is fairly new. Before gaining independence in December of 1963, Kenya was primarily agricultural. During the 1940s, there was a decline in soil fertility as well as an increase in taxation. These factors withdrew many men from their homes and into labor for wages. Women, instead of taking on the impossible task of managing crops, took on jobs that were involved in trade. Soon, education and employment replaced agriculture and ownership as a source of status and economic security.
In 1963, Jomo Kenyatta became the first president of the newly formed state of Kenya. There was nonstop political opposition in these formative years due to tribal unrest, particularly against the Kikuyu and Luo tribes whose members held powerful positions in Kenya's government (such as the president). To stop opposition, the government banned all political parties other than the dominant Kenyan African National Union (KANU). In essence, Kenya became a dictatorship. The succession of Daniel Arap Moi to the presidency in the late 1970s promised gains but soon proved to be just as oppressive as the past. All groups must register with the government and must have permits to meet, otherwise the members are subject to severe punishment. This makes it difficult for groups to form to change the status quo of women. Women who have tried to run for public offices in the past have been severely harassed and women's organizations have had little success in establishment. Demonstrations of any form against the government are met with violent opposition from the police.
Before gaining independence in December of 1963, Kenya was primarily agricultural. During the 1940s, there was a decline in soil fertility as well as an increase in taxation. These factors withdrew many men from their homes and into labor for wages. Women, instead of taking on the impossible task of managing crops, took on jobs that were involved in trade. Soon, education and employment replaced agriculture and ownership as a source of status and economic security. As stated above, this was not an easy task.
Despite the hardships of women forming groups in Kenya, many have and are being utilized by many women. The Kenyan Women's Finance Trust (KWFT) was established in 1981 by professional Kenyan women in banking and law. This organization provides women in business with the technical assistance and credit needed to establish or expand their businesses. The main goals of assistance are to help women increase their income, develop their business, and to generate employment. The Kenyan Women's Finance Trust is affiliated with Women's World Banking (WWB). WWB was established in 1979 to provide access to finance, information, and markets for women entrepreneurs across the world.
The Center for Women in Information Technology and Economic Research (CWITER) promotes the use of electronic communication to educate women's organizations and NGOs in Kenya. The main goal of CWITER is to "create and facilitate a global network of women and the NGO community in Kenya" to increase communication between groups. CWITER does this through the following: Create awareness of available technology, provide information resources, bridge the information gap between organizations with networking tools and those without, address and create solutions to problems faced by African women in the information technology field. This organization also offers conferences on internet training and the latest electronic communication facilities.
Mandeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) is dedicated to improving the status and conditions for women in Kenya. It conducts energy programs and assists women's groups throughout Kenya. This organization is also lobbying to ban female circumcision in Kenya.
The above is not a comprehensive list of women's organizations in Kenya. These organizations are some of the most prominent and established groups. Many organizations are international NGOs which assist groups such the WWB. International support from the World Bank and IMF needs to be improved. The Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) created to help Kenya develop economically does not include women in the plan. Women in Development (WID) and Gender and development (GAD) are both organizations backing the capitalist route of development suggested by the World Bank. These organizations insist that womens' practical needs (access to food, clothing, housing, and child care) and strategic gender needs are included in any policies or plans created. They have examined case studies and found results of increased womens' autonomy and self esteem, but without support of internationally connected women, the struggle to be heard would fall on deaf male-dominated governmental ears. Women are finding the media and influence of other international women's organizations to be the key factor in their fight for equality.