In two groups, 28 Maasai women from the Rift Valley Province will travel to Georgia starting in Spring 2008 to develop skills, network with political and community counterparts, and see first-hand what knowledge and organizational capacity are necessary to participate effectively in local government politics and policymaking. Their three-week stay in Georgia will include a wide range of civic experiences, emphasizes Marekia-Cleaveland.
"Put simply, Kenyan women have had few opportunities to participate in decision-making at the national and local levels, even though many of the decisions directly affect them and their families," Marekia-Cleaveland explains. "Although they comprise some 51 percent of Kenya's population, the lack of visible women leaders in Kenya's national and local civic life has contributed to the denial of women's human, political, and social rights. Our hope is that this interactive experience with Georgia women leaders will help empower them with the confidence to contribute in the political arena in ways that improves the quality of life in their communities."
Likewise, starting in Fall 2008 two groups of 16 Georgia women will travel to Kenya to study, make site visits, and reconnect with the Maasai women whom they previously met. "By networking and talking with Kenyan political, nongovernmental, and community leaders, the Georgia participants may gain a better understanding of minority interests and diversity and a recommitment to the ideals of public service," says Marekia-Cleaveland. A final symposium for all participants will include presenters from other African countries where affirmative action programs in women's representation have been implemented, like Uganda and Tanzania.
