fromBaraza La Taifa

Invitation to the Gender Forum-The Kadhis Courts controversy.

Time: June 24, 2010 from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Nairobi Safari Club, Lillian Towers
Organized By: Baraza La Taifa

Event Description:
“The Kadhi’s Courts Controversy: Debating the (Mis)conceptions”

Greetings from the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
We would like to invite* you to our next Gender Forum which will be titled “The Kadhi’s Courts Controversy: Debating the (Mis)conceptions”.

Debate surrounding the retention of the Kadhi’s Courts in the proposed constitution has raised grave concerns amongst the clergy (mainly from the Christian faith) who argue that their inclusion amounts to the favouring of one religion over others. This debate was further aggravated by the recent judgement of the Court of Appeal that not only vindicated this position, but further declared their existence in the current constitution as being inconsistent with Section 82 regarding freedom from discrimination, as well as further declaring the unconstitutionality of certain sections of the Kadhi’s Court’s Act.

In light of the above, we have invited a panel to discuss the history, purpose and jurisdiction of the courts, as well as their utility in administering justice mainly for the benefit of Muslim women. We further intend to understand the clergy’s position on the matter, and hopefully seek an amicable resolution to this controversy that forms the greatest threat to the passing of a new constitution.

Our panel includes: Abdalla Murshid, Maimuna Mwidau and Bishop Abarijah Kinoga

We expect that the day’s forum will be enriching for all members and participants alike.

ENTRY IS FREE

Regards,

Wanjiku Wakogi

Regional Gender Programme Coordinator

Heinrich Böll Stiftung
Regional Office for East & Horn of Africa, Forest Road, 10799-00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya
E nairobi@hbfha.com

See more details and RSVP on Baraza La Taifa:
http://barazalataifa.ning.com/events/event/show?id=4707499%3AEvent%3A3894&xgi=1WYGT3jCbB7Xlj&xg_source=msg_invite_event