Kenya women stage 'sex strike' to end rift in country

Political violence has killed more than 1,000 and left thousands homeless in Kenya. Women have started a campaign to end this violence by withholding sex from their husbands and partners.

Kenya has been in political turmoil since the nation's Dec. 2007 elections. Prime Minister Odinga has accused Mwai Kibaki, the president, of stealing the election. The two share power for now. Nationwide protests have led to more than 1,000 deaths and have left 600,000 homeless. Women’s groups in Kenya have come up with a novel way to end this violence: They're staging a week-long “sex-strike.” They want leaders to patch up their differences and work together. In total, 10 women's organizations have urged women to withhold sex from their husbands and partners. They are also urging the government to help promote women’s rights issues in the country. Rukia Subow, chairwoman of the Women’s Development Organization, believes the boycott will force men to push the government to make peace. Subow told Agencies:

"This is a national boycott to show that the women of this country have resolved to push for reforms...We want an urgent solution to the political problems facing this country."

She said her group will also pay prostitutes to participate in the strike. The wife of the prime minister, Ida Odinga, said on Thursday she would join the strike to protest against divisions between her husband and the president. Odinga said:

"This should not be seen as a punishment to men, it is a measure that is aimed at drawing their attention to the real issues."

The wife of President Kibaki has not announced her intentions.