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.

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.