This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
On August 18, 2019, a woman's decision to bring her baby to Parliament sparked a heated debate, highlighting the entrenched misogyny in Kenya's professional spaces.
Imagine a man walking into Parliament with his toddler, unable to find childcare. The reaction would be vastly different, with endless admiration and trending hashtags.
Yet, women are often subjected to biases and ridicule for taking care of their children in public. This is a perfect example of how misogyny is deeply ingrained in our society.
Male MPs' treatment of a colleague who brought her baby to the House was unacceptable, affirming the extent of misogyny. It's a manifestation of patriarchy that must be fought.
As long as our lens is misogynistic, women will be subjected to biases, regardless of their position in society. This is why femicide was on the rise in the first four months of 2019, and why women are often victim-blamed in the media.
It's time to acknowledge that Kenya is deeply misogynistic and that hatred for women is rife. We cannot change while we still don't see women fully as people and understand their needs.
It's saddening that in 2019, breastfeeding areas and crèches are still not at workplaces, and that truly caring for women and their children is a reserve of those within our blood relations only.
