Hello Rich,
Thank you for your question.
My search returned the following results for some background and
biographical information on the new woman Minister of Health of Kenya,
Charity Ngilu. I am including short excerpts from each article,
however, I recommend you read each article in its entirety.
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World Press Review associate editor Sarah Coleman profiles Kenyan
Health Minister Charity Ngilu, who is known for her leadership skills
and support of women's reproductive rights.
From the July 2003 issue of World Press Review (VOL. 50, No. 7)
People
Charity Ngilu: Kenya's Leading Woman
“In Kenya’s new government, Minister of Health Charity Ngilu is
regarded as a powerful player and a role model for a younger
generation of female politicians.”
(..)
“For Ngilu, the appointment was the result of years of hard work. She
was the ninth of 13 children born to poor parents in rural Kenya, and
before entering public life worked as a secretary, a bank manager, and
an entrepreneur, opening businesses as diverse as a bakery and a
plastics factory. She also became a wife and mother of three.”
(..)
“As health minister, Ngilu has made it one of her priorities to
address women’s reproductive rights. In March 2003, she generated
controversy when she told a meeting of the International Planned
Parenthood Federation that abortion should be legalized in Kenya.
Though she backtracked a little after religious groups called for her
resignation, her stance won praise from women’s or-ganizations. “Ngilu
should be commended for calling for increased debate on underlying
causes of abortions in Kenya,” wrote Jane Kiragu, executive director
of the Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya, in a news release.”
World Press: Sarah Coleman associate editor
http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/1125.cfm
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KENYA'S GREAT FEMALE HOPE: CHARITY NGILU By Cassandra Sullivan, Kenya
Cassandra Sullivan worked in Kenya in television production and as a
freelance writer and describes Charity Ngilu in this article.
Here is a short excerpt:
“She is simultaneously unassuming and commanding, the kind of person
who would both blend into and lead a crowd. It is this chameleon-like
character that distinguished Kenyan Member of Parliament Charity Ngilu
from her often one-dimensional opponents in the December 1997
presidential elections. She had made history by running as the first
female candidate.
On the day I met with in her modest one-level home in Kitui, she
seemed almost matronly, dressed in conservative clothes without any
jewelry, her face without makeup and somewhat plain.. . . “
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/3321/win19c.htm
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Charity Kaluki Ngilu: A biographical Sketch
“Early Life: Charity Kaluki Ngilu was born in 1952 in Mbooni, Makueni
District. She attended Mbooni Intermediate School. She later went to
Alliance Girls High School. She completed her O level certificate in
1970 and joined the Government Secretarial College for a secretarial
course. She was employed as the secretary for the Central Bank of
Kenya from 1973 –1975.”
You may read more about her political career here:
http://www.kenyaelections2002.org/politicalplayers/pf_ngilu.asp
Charity Ngilu is also mentioned in Profile of NARC Founding Parties:
Source: Donor Information Centre on Elections in Kenya
http://www.kenyaelections2002.org/politicalparties/pf_narc_founders.asp
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Profile: Mrs Charity Kaluki Ngilu
Party: Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Age: 45 years
“Mrs Charity Kaluki Ngilu made history by being the first woman ever
in Kenya to declare her bid to run for the presidency”
(..)
“Ngilu who is 45 years old, is ninth born in large family of family of
13. She attended the prestigious Alliance Girls High School where she
sat for her O-level examination in 1970. She then attended a course at
Government secretarial college, then joined Central Bank of Kenya as a
secretary, but quit after two years to advance her career prospects by
taking a Certified Public Secretary and business management course at
the Kenya Institute of Administration.
She then took an appointment with Chase Manhattan Overseas Corporation
in Nairobi as an administration manager, where she worked from 1979 to
1981 when she resigned to go into private business as an entrepreneur.
Her first venture was small bakery and restaurant in Athi River
township, and as the business grew she diversified into other fields.
Her main concern now is Ani-Plastics Limited, an extrusion plastic
factory which manufactures PVC Water pipes, electoral conduits and
related accessories in Nairobi's Embakasi area near Athi River on the
boundary of Nairobi and Machakos District.
The mother of three, married to an engineer husband, comes from a poor
family knows the pain of poverty from first-hand experience. She
strongly believes in education and grassroots economic development as
the main vehicles for social and economic emancipation.“
Source: Kenya Elections
http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:Jfw9X02hPkYJ:www.elections.co.ke/ngilu.htm+%E2%80%9CCharity+Ngilu%E2%80%9D+%2Bprofile&hl=es&ie=UTF-8
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Charity Ngilu
Kenyan government minister
Family Name Ngilu
Given Name Charity
Gender Female
Country Kenya
Positions:
Minister of Health - Kenya (Jan 2003 - )
Leader - National Party of Kenya
Source: The Africa Center
http://www.africaexpert.org/people/data/person14058.html
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Here is another profile by Wambui Kimani - 1150 words
“Mrs. Charity Kaluki Ngilu appears set to go down in the books of
history as the first woman to contest for presidency in Kenya. On her
vision for Kenya as president, she concedes that first priority would
be equitable distribution of power and wealth. I would not run the
country like my personal property, but as a trustee of the people,…”
http://www.peacelink.it/users/npeople/nov/pag9nov97.html
**************************************
CHARITY NGILU Minister for Health
“Fondly known as Mama Rainbow – after the rallying cry of Kenyans
desperately hoping for change through the ballot box – Charity
Ngilu is a symbol of the Kenyan woman who has shattered all the
stereotypes of women in politics. She made history as the first
Kenyan woman ever to contest presidential elections in 1997. . . .”
Source: Africa Woman
http://www.africawoman.net/files/10feb03/AW9.P1.pdf (page 1)
http://www.africawoman.net/files/10feb03/AW9.P2.pdf (page 2)
Africa Woman Newspaper Edition 9 in pdf format
http://www.africawoman.net/africawomanpdf/edition9.html
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2003 Country Review – Country Watch
“Charity Ngilu is the new health minister. She is one of three women
named to cabinet portfolios in Kenya's new executive branch of
government. She is a veteran opposition politician and long time
Kibaki ally.”
Social Democratic Party (SDP), Charity KALUKINGILU; social-democratic
Source: Kenya 2003 Country Watch
http://aol.countrywatch.com/pdfs/reviews/B3LQ43Q3.01b.pdf
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Charity Ngilu:
“The assertive first woman presidential candidate was born in 1954.
She first got elected to parliament in 1992 on a DP ticket. However,
she later contested the 1997 elections on a Social Democratic Party
(SDP) ticket and got an impressive fifth position in a male dominated
political arena. She has had no experience in government circles so
far, but commands following particularly from the Eastern Province.
Last year, Ngilu decamped SDP following disagreements with the top
party leadership and formed the National Party of Kenya (NPK). In the
event the unity efforts of the opposition through NAC fail, she will
most certainly participate in the presidential race.”
http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:rAwN59-RPx4J:www.newpeoplemedia.org/Feature%2520Service/English/Back_issues/npfs_jul2002.htm+%E2%80%9CCharity+Ngilu%E2%80%9D+%2Bprofile&hl=es&ie=UTF-8
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Current News:
“The Kenyan Minister for health has been on the forefront in the war
against HIV/AIDS and recognizes that the input of Faith Based
Organizations can go along way in making significant gains in this
fight. She's the first Narc gvt. Minister for Health, and the first
female Health Minister.”
http://www.aacc-ceta.org/aids/
March 05, 2003
Ngilu leads crusade to legalise abortion in Kenya
By Victor Bwire
http://www.eastandard.net/archives/March/wed05032003/headlines/news0503200301.htm
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Search Criteria:
Kenya Minister of Health
“Charity Ngilu”
“Charity Ngilu” +biography
“Charity Ngilu” +background
“Charity Ngilu” +profile
I hope this helps. If anything is unclear please request clarification
and I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you rate my answer
and close the question.
Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
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