Ms President Reality TV Show
Summary:
The legal framework in Kenya has laid a firm foundation for the realization of the principle of gender eqaulity and equity. For instance, equity, equality and non-discrimination are among the national values and principles of governance carried in article 10 of the constitution. This is in addition to various articles such as 27(3) and 81(b) among others. However, these constitutional and legal standards for gender equality and equity are yet to be met. There remain in particular cultural and socialization barriers which through decades of precedent and preference for male leadership continue to hamper significant advancement of leadership by women in Kenya. Concerted efforts to alter decades long entrenched attitudes and norms regarding women and leadership are a necessity - Hence, The Birth of Ms President. Ms President is an entertaining, educating and thought-provoking 26 episode reality TV series that aired on a leading National TV station in Kenya from January to July 2019. The series was used to portray to a national audience the capacity and ability of women to lead effectively. Through a series of tasks and challenges, contestants (all female) displayed their leadership capacity and ability. Through an elimination process that incorporated viewer's votes and a jury decision, one contestant emerged the winner, "Ms President". Hopefully, this series will change the mindsets of Kenyans towards women in leadership and impact positively on women vying for political seats in the future. All episodes can be watched here on Youtube.
Background/Objectives:
Ms President intended to raise awareness amongst a mass audience of Kenyans on role that women can and should play in leadership. It intended to empower and inspire women and girls to take lead in voicing ideas about how to confront today's challenges in Kenya, for instance bad governance, corruption, non-employment e.t.c. The series provided a chance to view intelligent and articulate women competing for the highest leadership position in Kenya, 'The Presidency.' This aimed at changing Kenyans' perception and attitudes towards leadership by women in communities and in the country.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Initial results from Ms President I.Ms President gave contestants leadership skills including self-confidence, public speaking skills, campaigning capacities and knowledge on governance II.Ms President gave the contestants and the finalists in particular credibility and endorsement from national and local leaders. It received backing and endorsement from The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, who hosted the Top 5 finalists in statehouse and asked them to accompany him while on an official visit. III.Ms President Show received widespread local and international media visibility and precipitated media discussion/commentaries on the issue of women and political leadership IV. Ms President has opened up leadership and/or career growth opportunities to the contestants.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
In work on women empowerment, it was the first time that such a reality TV format has been adapted and used by an organization in Kenya. There are many women ready to step up to the plate and display their capacity and ability to lead evidenced by the 1040 applications received. There is an audience for the Ms President show on TV evidenced by the average weekly viewership of 3.5 million for the TV show. There was a great peak in social engagement with the show towards the end when the public were invited to vote for their preferred candidate.
Abstract submitted by:
Simon Kamau
The legal framework in Kenya has laid a firm foundation for the realization of the principle of gender eqaulity and equity. For instance, equity, equality and non-discrimination are among the national values and principles of governance carried in article 10 of the constitution. This is in addition to various articles such as 27(3) and 81(b) among others. However, these constitutional and legal standards for gender equality and equity are yet to be met. There remain in particular cultural and socialization barriers which through decades of precedent and preference for male leadership continue to hamper significant advancement of leadership by women in Kenya. Concerted efforts to alter decades long entrenched attitudes and norms regarding women and leadership are a necessity - Hence, The Birth of Ms President. Ms President is an entertaining, educating and thought-provoking 26 episode reality TV series that aired on a leading National TV station in Kenya from January to July 2019. The series was used to portray to a national audience the capacity and ability of women to lead effectively. Through a series of tasks and challenges, contestants (all female) displayed their leadership capacity and ability. Through an elimination process that incorporated viewer's votes and a jury decision, one contestant emerged the winner, "Ms President". Hopefully, this series will change the mindsets of Kenyans towards women in leadership and impact positively on women vying for political seats in the future. All episodes can be watched here on Youtube.
Background/Objectives:
Ms President intended to raise awareness amongst a mass audience of Kenyans on role that women can and should play in leadership. It intended to empower and inspire women and girls to take lead in voicing ideas about how to confront today's challenges in Kenya, for instance bad governance, corruption, non-employment e.t.c. The series provided a chance to view intelligent and articulate women competing for the highest leadership position in Kenya, 'The Presidency.' This aimed at changing Kenyans' perception and attitudes towards leadership by women in communities and in the country.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Initial results from Ms President I.Ms President gave contestants leadership skills including self-confidence, public speaking skills, campaigning capacities and knowledge on governance II.Ms President gave the contestants and the finalists in particular credibility and endorsement from national and local leaders. It received backing and endorsement from The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, who hosted the Top 5 finalists in statehouse and asked them to accompany him while on an official visit. III.Ms President Show received widespread local and international media visibility and precipitated media discussion/commentaries on the issue of women and political leadership IV. Ms President has opened up leadership and/or career growth opportunities to the contestants.
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
In work on women empowerment, it was the first time that such a reality TV format has been adapted and used by an organization in Kenya. There are many women ready to step up to the plate and display their capacity and ability to lead evidenced by the 1040 applications received. There is an audience for the Ms President show on TV evidenced by the average weekly viewership of 3.5 million for the TV show. There was a great peak in social engagement with the show towards the end when the public were invited to vote for their preferred candidate.
Abstract submitted by:
Simon Kamau
Source
Approved abstract for the postponed 2020 SBCC Summit in Marrakech, Morocco. Provided by the International Steering Committee for the Summit. Image credit: Media Focus on Africa