Nominated MP Cecily Mbarire has underscored the need for the society to embrace women leadership especially in the political arena for better leadership.
Mbarire said women have a unique ability of wearing many hats in their roles such as balancing careers and household care and are thus well poised to offer the much needed solutions and transformative leadership at the national scale.
She said this is the change that the country needs to yearn for as it gears up for elections by ensuring more women are elected in political seats which will also go a long way in achieving the elusive constitutional gender parity.
“We must have a change this time round and that change starts with you the voters,” the MP said on Tuesday when she graced the International Women’s Day celebrations at St. Joseph Kitololoni Catholic church in Makima Ward, Embu.
Mbarire who also took the platform to popularize her gubernatorial bid also challenged all aspiring leaders to champion for women rights when elected in office.
She said there is a need for leaders to put in place social protection measures for women especially those in the informal economy who suffer myriad challenges such as hunger, unemployment and water crisis which is personal to them as they are the ones responsible for the resource for their family survival.
The MP promised that once elected into office, her main areas of focus will be provision of water both for domestic and irrigation use as well as provision of adequate and proximal medical care.
Father Nicholas Makau called on politicians to desist from engaging in hate and mudslinging politics to avoid plunging the country into chaos as elections draw near.
“Hate politics is retrogressive and only serves to divide people,” Father Makau said even as she also called on men to respect women vying for various seats.
During the celebrations, hundreds of area residents benefited from a free medical camp organized by the church where they were screened for various diseases such as cervical and breast cancer, blood pressure and diabetes.
The beneficiaries were also given tips on healthy living including proper diet and exercise to prevent lifestyle diseases.
This year’s International Women’s Day was organized under the theme, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”