NGO in court to enforce two thirds gender rule in 12th Parliament

Women Rights NGO has filed a case in court seeking to have the 12th parliament implement the two-thirds gender rule.

In the petition CREW says that the composition of the National Assembly and Senate has failed to meet the constitutional threshold of the not-more than two-thirds gender the principle.

Further the petitioners wants the an order directing parliament to pass the necessary legislation to implement the two-thirds gender rule during its first sitting set for next week.

CREWS together with CRAWN Trust (Community Advocacy and Awareness Trust) say that it is in the interest of justice that the matter is heard and determined expeditiously before the swearing-in of the member of the National Assemble and the senate.

They argue that failure to not –more than two-thirds gender principle as stipulated in the constitution amounts to a violation of the rights of women to equality and freedom from discrimination and a violation of the constitution.

“Following the declaration of the 2017 general elections results , the number of elected members of the National Assembly and the Senate does not meet the constitutional threshold and the not-more-than two-thirds gender the principle in either House,” argues the petitioners.

Speaker of the National Assembly, speaker of the Senate and the Ag have been named as respondents in the case.

In the just concluded general elections 23 women were elected as Members of Parliament. However to meet the 2/3 rd gender rule principle the NATIONAL Assembly requires 177 to be of the opposite gender. Therefore with the current 23 women Mp’s , 47 Women representatives and six women members to be nominated to fill half the twelve slots reserved for members nominated by political parties , the total house county is 76 . This creates a shortfall of the 41 women in the National Assembly.

Previous parliaments, have never taken an affirmative action to ensure at least 117 women are in Parliament, the subject has always been politically obtuse and have been put under moratorium by sitting members.

The matter will be heard tomorrow (August 16).