How do kenyan men treat women

Kenya brought in a new progressive, rights-based constitution in , which provides the legal framework for the government to fulfil basic rights, and for marginalized and vulnerable groups, especially women and children, to claim their rights.

However, women still face challenges including the ability to participate effectively in decision making and leadership and that the majority of the female members of the national parliament and the county assemblies are new to the legislature.

The Kenyan economy remains vulnerable to external shocks and unemployment continues to be a challenge and there are additional challenges for women. In Kenya, female poverty is exacerbated by gender based violence, including sexual violence, rape, physical violence and sexual harassment.

Traditional practices governing inheritance, acquisition of land and benefits accruing to land produce continue to favour men. He also pays when we are sick and is caring at those times. On the weekends he visits his friends and plays and watches football. He is the one in control. But I love him. If you love each other and love your children, you can get through.

Evelyn 40s : My marriage has been fantastic, from the time we got married. The children have not seen violence of any kind in the house. I have 16yr old twins — a boy and a girl — and a 7year old boy. Douglas, my husband, is good with the kids in that he provides for food, medical costs, school fees. I work as a mobile beautician, but in previous generations, it was the father alone who provided [money].

I am glad I can provide too. He will sit and chat with his kids, they love him. We are the same, he and I, we understand one another. But if you make a mistake another side of him comes out.

Calenha 60s : My husband finally left us for good 11 years ago. When I first met Albert he seemed good. But he started drinking and sleeping outside of the home. If I asked any questions he was very harsh, shouting at me, which everyone could hear.

So I just kept quiet. His behavior was too much. He disappeared one day, stayed away for four years, then came back for a while. You know, before he started drinking he was good. But after he started drinking he just wanted to beat the kids. Gender roles and responsibilities tend to be well-defined. The primary responsibility of the man is to support the family financially. The man is considered the head of the household and will rarely participate in household chores.

Meanwhile, women are expected to care for the home and children. In rural households that lack modern appliances, running water and electricity, women are responsible for carrying water and firewood over long distances to bring home to the family.

Some women will engage in paid labour outside of the household, such as running salons or market stands. It is common for men to leave their rural communities to live in urban areas with better employment opportunities. In urban areas, there is more gender equality between men and women. Some couples will share in the household responsibilities.

Women who are educated and engaging in wage labour are starting to seek more decision-making power. A small number of such women are choosing to opt out of some of their traditional expectations as wives. They may hire someone, usually a young female relative, to tend to the household and children. Dating customs in Kenya have greatly changed in recent decades with the advent of technology. Since young people now do a lot of their socialising via social media and text messages, parents and clan leaders have less influence than they did in previous generations.

There is a difference in dating practices between those in urban areas and those in rural areas. Women attend college, and find jobs in cities, and are able to provide for themselves. Nadine says : While my upbringing has taught me that education and career come first, the local women here believe that finding a husband is quite important.

When a woman becomes a wife, her duty is often to tend to the children and her home. My initial perception of Kenyan women was that they are very demure. In the primary school where I teach, the girls are so soft-spoken, it makes me sad. Also, something that I found strange—when a woman is pregnant, people do not mention it. They think it is bad luck to talk about a baby before it is born. Nadine says : Not really. In most places, men and women can be together.

Nadine says : Most everyone can tell I am American, or at least from a Western country. The perception of American Women here is that they are wealthy. Local men are very interested in me, because they are interested in America. America is seen as a kind of utopia, and some American women can be a ticket there. I would be very aware of the advances of local men. Local women are kind, although both men and women can be quite harsh—they think I come from a very privileged lifestyle and I do, all American women are privileged , and so sometimes the resentment comes through.

That being said, many locals are very excited to hear that I am from America Obama is half Kenyan, after all and they ask many questions about where I am from. Other than that, forms of transportation in Kenya are pretty safe. Take recommendations for taxis , always, to be on the safe side and also to avoid being overcharged. Matatus vans are find, albeit very crowded. Buses are safe, also. When you travel, keep all your valuables very close and in your sight.

I left my phone in my backpack pocket for ten minutes, and someone snatched it. Nadine says : Anywhere after dark.