This is election year in Kenya. Kenyan women running for electoral office face a barrage of tactics designed to intimidate and terrorize them into withdrawing. The tactics range from threats and verbal intimidation, to harassment and obstruction as they campaign, to brutal violence. Last Friday, Flora Igoki Tera, Parliamentary Candidate for the North Imenti Constituency in the Meru district of Kenya, was attacked and tortured by a gang of 5 men, near her home. During the assault, her torturers repeatedly warned her against running for office.
Please take action and email the Electoral Commission of Kenya at eck@nbnet.co.ke
Your email will go to straight to the Commission, putting international heat on them to take action. More importantly, it will be personally delivered to Flora Tera, at the Gender Violence Recovery Unit of Nairobi Women’s Hospital. These messages will be vital fuel for her healing and her courage, as she continues her campaign. We have provided suggested text below. Read more about the situation here.
Dear Ms. Tera,
I want to express my deep outrage and sadness at the terrible attack you have suffered. Please know that you are not alone, and this atrocity will not go unchallenged. People around the world are sending you their support.
[ADD YOUR OWN WORDS]
I am a member of the following groups / international listserves / online communities / networks, to whom I have circulated this information, and appeal for justice.
September 18, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Dear Ms. Tera,
I want to express my deep outrage and sadness at the terrible attack you have suffered. I wish you well, and i hope you recover soon.
What I can say is that we cannot let them win. The few men in our society who continuously want to push us to the sidelines will not win. No, we CANNOT let them.
I urge more women to join Ms. Tera, and run for all levels of office. There is power in numbers. Lets see if they will come for all of us.
Ms. Tera, God be with you.
Kinya Mururu
September 18, 2007 at 6:03 pm
This is a copy of the email I sent. I’m concerned for this and I hope she recovers soon.
I’m an American citizen with a Cuban-American background who just heard that a woman candidate for a political office in your country was attacked by a gang and told not to run. Is your country anti-women? I’m wondering why can’t your people be open to a woman leader. Isn’t our mothers the ones that lead us and guide us at birth into a new world of discovery. I wonder why can’t those skills women develop from generation and generation can not help in communities across the world. I hope you consider my opinion and its not a letter telling you how to run your world. However consider when kids are sick , sad or in our darkest moments –our mothers have always been the leaders and supported us. Please let this be a letter of support for the idea of a female candidate in your part of the world. Let your people enjoy all the liberties and joys of life. Many blessings to you and your families ……
September 18, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Dear Ms. Tera,
My heart is with you as you recover from the terrible attack on you. May the men who tortured you learn the meaning of peace; may their hearts open to that which they do not currently know, and may they feel shame.
I am so proud of your courage and persistence. Frankly, I don’t know how you do it. It is only by the brave acts and suffering of people like you that the world changes for all of the rest of us.
Much love,
Lisa Nichols
September 18, 2007 at 7:13 pm
To the Electoral Commisssion of Kenya,
I urge you to take action to protect brave candidates such as Mrs. Tera from attacks and other acts to intimidate and terrorize. Their desire to lead and to help build a stronger economy will benefit all Kenyans.
Mrs. Tera,
Your cowardly attackers have dared to strike a rock. Your courage and that of your sister women around the world who step forward to make a difference clearly create fear amond the weak, evil and corrupt who conspire in packs like rabid dogs. They know their days are numbered.
If Africa is to develop and occupy her rightful position in the world, she must employ all of her resources. It is sad to bear witness repeatedly to so many efforts to hold women back. Discrimination against women and aggressive and vile abuse deny the continent over half of the energy, creativity and wealth it so badly needs. We need all available hands to build strong economies and to create a future that offers hope for the African child.
Please find strength in knowing that you are not alone. There is an army behind you that will continue to raise its voice individually and collectively to expose and fight against injustice. We will continue the struggle working to support and to lift up women and girls to their rightful place as leaders, nurturers and transmitters of the culture.
With sincere wishes for a speedy recovery,
September 18, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Dear Ms Tera,
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of your attack. However, I feel hopeful when reading your words of strength, courage and perserverence. Your bravery and committment is inspiring and I am thankful for all that you do which helps all women in this world.
May your strength by everlasting and your recovery swift.
September 19, 2007 at 11:57 pm
What happened to Flora Tera is a disgrace to your country. She was trying to make her community better and yet thugs were allowed to beat her to make a point.
The country needs to take a stand and put these men behind bars. Make it illegal to attack women.
Thoughts and prayers are with Flora. This blog has been exchanged between many women including the American Association of University Women and Retired Teachers organizations.
September 20, 2007 at 4:11 am
Dear Ms Tera…I am a man and live in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA….I respect your skill and intelligence…I am so sorry that men in your country are afraid of a smart woman…Please take care, get well soon, please…You are not alone, but you are in your pain…Can’t tell you what to do, but I appreciate your efforts…Intelligent woman scare some men, thats because you are more intelligent than them..Men can be assholes, and often are..I hope you run for office again, but can appreciate why you wouldn”t…You are a very brave lady, and I hope you heal quickly..Please take care, I really do appreciate your bravery.. Chris Nadeau
October 3, 2007 at 9:18 am
It’s a regretable act by cowhearted bunch of panicky human beings. We wish you well with the struggles of changing the world to be a better place. Keep the fire burning……Geoffrey