Society Mirror in the New Age: 2013

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Activism

Global Campaign Against Gender Violence Launched in Kenya

By Erick Diang’a

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was launched on 25^th November 2013 to run till 10th December 2013. The United Nations set this year’s theme as; “From Peace in the home to peace in the world: Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women.” This was in response to the atrocities contributed by the forces in their bid to end violence in warring nations. The movement also wants community policing to take center stage in fighting violence against women in the society.

UN General Assembly designated 25 November as activism day in a 1999 resolution inviting governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem.

The campaign comes when African nations including Kenya have experienced violence against women almost to the extreme. The recent case of a young school girl gang-raped by six boys in western part of Kenya has not faded in Kenya’s judicial memory. Similarly, the killing of a woman in Nairobi’s Kawangware estate by husband over coerced conjugal submission is still fresh in residents’ minds.

Kenya Vision 2030 and the Second Medium Term Plan (2013-2017) where gender based violence has been prioritized with an aim of reducing gender disparities and addressing associated vulnerabilities upon implementation, will see our country a step ahead in mitigating violence against girls and women.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning, Ms Anne Waiguru graced the day urging stake holders and interested bodies to implement the need to focus attention on enhancing awareness on violence against gender. She mentioned gender-based violence as one of the most pervasive human rights violation in the world.

“Our aim is to champion for the vulnerable groups in the society such as women, children, disabled, and the elderly; they fall victims of offences such as: domestic violence, sexual assaults, Female Genital Mutilation, early marriages and widow inheritance,” she said.

Ms Waiguru stated the efforts made by the government to strengthen legal systems in combating gender-based violence in Kenyan communities. She emphasized on three legal systems. With regards to the laws that govern women’s rights, her ministry has reinforced the sexual offenses Act of 2006, the counter trafficking of persons Act of 2010 and the prohibition of FGM Act of 2011. These acts are defensive against crimes committed towards the susceptible feminine gender.

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon embraced bodies and individuals who have raised voices to end violence against women.

“Violence against women and girls directly affects individuals while harming our common humanity. In response to this global challenge, I launched my UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign in 2008. Since then, partners around the world have joined our drive to protect the human rights of women and girls to live free from violence.

I welcome the chorus of voices calling for an end to the violence that affects an estimated one in three women in her lifetime. I applaud leaders who are helping to enact and enforce laws and change mindsets. And I pay tribute to all those heroes around the world who help victims to heal and to become agents of change.” Said Mr Ban Ki-Moon.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

The calendar

A three-day weekend receiving validation in most countries

By Erick Diang'a

The international calendar has for long considered a week to consist of 7 days and a year to have 365/366 days. With the emergence of different religions and commemorations in the world, ideas on marking specific holidays seem to alter the initial Gregorian weekend calendar.

In Kenya's major cities, where Saturday and Sunday are the weekends, Friday is almost receiving a similar treatment as the two due to party mood that goes with it. People in either private or government offices dress to least portray Friday as a working day; some prefer leaving offices early to welcome the weekend ahead. Weekend edition programmes on TV Broadcasts also display such on Friday evenings - a move that by default challenges the perceptions of viewers on Friday as a regular working day.

Islam and Christianity recognize Sunday (Yawn al - aHad) in Arabic as the first day of the week. However, Muslims segregate Friday as the holy day for worshiping Allah. The basis of choosing Friday as the worship day roots back to the Qur’an’s recital where Adam was created on Friday, entered Paradise on Friday, together with Eve landed on this planet on a Friday and died on a Friday.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia Muslims observe Friday and Saturday as weekends while Iran commemorate Friday only as their weekend, Muslims in Turkey appreciate the western calendar that obeys Saturday and Sunday as the resting days of the week. However, they include Friday which they consider the greatest of the three.

Saturday and Sunday are the recognized weekends for Christians with a majority worshipping on Sunday. Catholics have since abode by Sunday worships while a branch of Christianity, Protestants with origin in Germany, have varied opinions on the day of worship. For instance, William Millar - founder of Seventh Day Adventist Church denomination, depicted biblical verse in Genesis stating that God created for six days and rested on the seventh day which was a Sabbath. The denomination believes in beginning of Sabbath as from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

Seventh day Adventist church in Tonga is the only SDA Church known for holding church services on Sunday contrary to what was stipulated by Mr William and associates. The change of Sabbath day in Tonga has received international complaints. Tonga-south Pacific island’s kingdom has 176 Islands, 36 of which are inhabited. It’s the only constitutional monarchy in the pacific declared by King George under British protectorate in 1875.

In Hinduism each day of the week is associated or dedicated to a particular god. Hence Hindus worship on all the seven days of the week. However Monday, Friday and Saturday are the days in which most of the Hindus go to the temple for special Puja or worship.

In Gambia, President Yahya Jammeh added Friday to the regular weekend of Saturday and Sunday. From Gambia’s The Daily News, the president summoned public workers to work for only four days to have enough time for farming, worshipping and resting.

"This new arrangement will allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture - going back to the land and grow what we eat and eat what we grow, for a healthy and wealthy nation." President Yahya said. The declaration took effect from first January 2013 amid oppositions raging from Gambia’s law makers who claimed the move would thwart economic stability of Gambia due to reduced working hours.

Friday, 11 October 2013

International Day of the Girl Child

Girl child’s day marked amid rights contravention in our society

By Erick Diang’a

International day of the girl child is celebrated today 11^th October 2013 despite the ugly incident witnessed in Kenya’s Western part that went viral on social media and making headlines in newspapers.

A 16-year-old pupil was last month gang raped by a group of six boys who later dumped her into a ditch. This is one in a million humiliations committed but go unreported to the authorities or reign in the public domain after conditions have intensified beyond control.

The result of the heinous act has left the girl in hospital for fistula treatment-a risk she would have avoided were Kenyans ready to cooperate with the local government to condemn such acts in equal measure. The blame could turn to residents and teachers following a report that teachers of the boys compelled police officers from arresting the boys claiming that the suspected rapists were sitting for their examinations.

Girl child has faced much more than defilement, in some African communities, girls aren’t given equal treatment as boys; their social rights have been violated to an extent that some do not get access to education. Gender stereotyping has taken a central stage in influencing social rights of girls by farther taking a different course depending on region and situation. At this age, it’s a disgrace to make out higher possibilities of girls facing gender segregation as a way of highlighting superiority of boys and inferiority of girls in the community.

United Nations set the theme of this year’s celebration basing on educating a girl child to allow them achieve their goals in life just like boys to close up gender inequality. Information Communication Technology is one of the subjects that UN wants girls to venture in, to address their challenges to responsible bodies on time before the issues go out of hand. Girls are to be social media friendly to share their experiences and get updated on the significance of effective communication skills in their lives . Lack of communication strategies is a factor that has deprived young girls from knowing and understanding their fundamental rights: rights to education, proper healthcare and expression are some of the fundamental privileges that girls are entitled to but most girls go without comprehending such tools due to the gap between them and communication gadgets. Most are subjected to hard labour, slavery and denied access to religious places of their choices.

Meager means of transport to schools has also contributed to children not attending to lessons along with healthcare facilities in marginalized areas. The UN pledged for nations to make it certain that transport means is made available for children in order to reach learning institutions regularly. Life skill education to youths should be offered to girls for empowerment on ways in which they can nurture better leadership skills and peaceful coexistence. Such trainings should be part of t lessons offered in schools for the objective to be effective.

Girls’ Empowerment could be achieved if various organizations and bodies respond appropriately to curb abuses girls are exposed to. Churches, counseling bodies, human rights groups and forums are vital in instilling girls with the knowledge about their social rights. Late in life, girls should be aware of legal rights to own property such as parental lands and that the constitution allows them to subject men to child upbringing in cases of divorce.

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Mr & Miss University 2013

Mr and Miss University hunt accomplished in style

By Erick Diang’a

The colourful pageant for Mr and Miss Zetech 2013 was held at Nyayo Gymnasium in the evening of Saturday 20th September, 2013. The festival was curtain raised by ZETECH talent search competition winners in various genres including dancing, singing, standup comedy and spoken word finalized a day earlier (September 19).

ZETECH College’s Mr Robert Onyango of Agriculture House Campus and Valencia Wanjiru of Stanbank Campus were the ultimate winners crowned in this year’s Mr and Miss ZETECH contest. Suleiman Benjamin and Selestine Awuor held the first runners up positions while Song’ony Felix and Aisha Amakia clutched second runners up positions. Former castle bearers, Mr Ashok Sanny and Emaculate Aquinatta handed the shield to the new king and queen ceremoniously marking their one-year term in throne.

To segregate winners from losers, a number of qualifications considered by judges were prioritized according to their (judges’) own rulings. Categories of challenge included: casual wear, career wear, African wear and evening wear. However, that wasn’t a reason for victory, winners had to put on display their intellect by responding to random environmental and societal questions shot by the judges.

This year’s audition attracted interests of 21 contestants who otherwise splendidly exhibited their talents thereby scooping certificates of explicit performances. The gala was characterized by cheerful mood and jubilations from diehard who flocked the party in their hundreds to witness and psyche up participants. The Gymnasium was vibrant with both cameo and floodlights twinkling from all corners as participants choreographed dressed in full fashion fabrics. Happiness befell ZETECH students and staff as they watched despite the rainfall that pounded Nairobi City accompanied by cold- from the look, the latter ceased to find chance to creep into the hall.

The crowd was entertained by renowned Kenyan artistes; Wyre, Willy Paul, Juliani, Habida, Khaligraph and T-Broz. Disc jockey Crème De La Crème (George Njuguna) rocked the house with the latest hit mixes.

All was in good shape with MC Obina Ike Igwee from Easy FM leaving audience in stitches amid performances.

The presiding judges held the session by adjudicating what the contestants deserved at the end of the exercise. Judges foreseeing the event were some of the celebrities with expertise in the field of pageantry. The seven judges were Mr Odah Okello, former World Kenyan 2002-2007; Ms Susan Onyango, Miss Kenya 2011; Ms Martine Kappel from True North Leadership; Mr Erick Omondi, Asian based international model and a performing artist; Mr Kevin Omondi, International Model; Mr Leakey Odera, Director of Pambazuka Entertainment Limited and Ms Leah Tesfamariam, first runners up Miss World Kenya 2011.

The Principal Mr Edwin Wamukoya embraced the performances and urged students to develop their careers through art to earn living. “I pass my sincere gratitude to those who saw it wise to give support to our own students in the contest. I would like to throw challenge to students who overlook social events since they are the sole platforms that link an individual to success. In as much as you engage in class work, take advantage of these events since they may plunk your destiny in better places,” said Mr Wamukoya.

Also present were Chairman ZETECH College Mr Ken Mbiuki, The Academic Registrar Mr Alphas Adoga, Business Development Manager Mr Moses Maina and campus Administration Managers.