Kenya, France and Germany are holding elections in 2017. Through the French-German project, explores and compares the challenges faced by women in political processes in the three countries. Can a level playing ground for political participation across gender lines be achieved through affirmative action and women empowerment? Do women voters vote for women? What role can the media play in challenging stereotypical narratives and covering success stories? Can minority women join politics and be elected at the national level? Should the focus be solely on women – aren’t men and the partriachal structures the issue? How can men give up political privilege?

These and other questions will be tackled over a number of events from 26th to 30th June at Goethe-Institut and Alliance Francaise.

Monday, 26th June: Panel Discussion at Goethe-Institut at 6.30pm

“Stand, speak, act, vote: How to empower women for political particiaption. Perspectives from Kenya, France and Germany.”

The panel will feautre experts and practitioners from the three countries: Pamela Mburia, Marlene Coulomb-Gully, Juliane Leopold, Jane Anyango Odongo, moderated by Jacqueline Adhaimbo Oduol.

Tuesday, 27th June: Gender Forum at Alliance Francaise at 4pm

Men lead, women follow. The shackles of partiachy across the globe and locally.

This discussion is in partnership with the monthly Gender forums of the Heinrich Boell Foundation and will explore the role partriachy plays in women and politics and some of the ways men can help to dismantle it.

Wednesday, 28th June: Unveiling of the Digital Artworks at Goethe-Institut and Alliance Francaise Auditorium at 6.30pm

Digital artists from each of the three countries has been commissioned to create a multimedia artwork, reflecting their country’s socio-political context, working on the evolution of women’s roles in politics and looking at differing and overlapping challenges. The artists are Judith Darmont (France), Sonya Schönberger (Germany) and Jepchumba (Kenya).

Friday, 30th June: Participatory Puppet Theatre at Alliance Francaise Auditorium at 7pm

In partnership with Buni Media, the performance will explore the dynamics of women’s participation as candidates, voters and politicians in Kenya through the use of life size puppets. A moderator will invite the audience to interact with the puppets in a debate to seek solutions.

All the events will be free and will be complemented online through a Twitter conversation in the three countries. The conversation in France will be moderated by @femmessolidaire on #sielleétaitélue, in Germany by @marthadear on #FrauenandieMacht and in Kenya by yours truly, @mwendesusu on #ifsheiselected.

mwendeLifestyleAlliance Francaise,Elections,Feminism,Goethe-Institut,Heinrich Boll Foundation,Kenya,Udada na Siasa,Women in Poltics
Kenya, France and Germany are holding elections in 2017. Through the French-German project, explores and compares the challenges faced by women in political processes in the three countries. Can a level playing ground for political participation across gender lines be achieved through affirmative action and women empowerment? Do women...