The President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, Sen Susan Kihika has challenged MPs to embrace legal reforms in the advancement of gender equality. 

Addressing over 700 MPs drawn from 150 countries at the opening of the General Debate of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) in Belgrade, Serbia, the Senate Majority Whip urged them to carry out civic education in their constituencies, on the benefits of gender equality.

"As we work on legal reforms, we need to explain to our constituents that these changes are for the common good. This will reinforce trust in our institutions; their relevance and robustness," she explained. 

Sen Kihika also called for the inclusion of women in the forumaltion and negotiation of international and regional treaties. 

The Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka led the Kenyan delegation to the 141st IPU Assembly, comprising Sen Johnson Sakaja, Sen Petronila Lokorio, Hon Patrick Mariru, Hon (Prof) Jacquiline Oduol, Hon David Ochieng, Hon Naisula Lesuuda, Hon Lilian Gogo, Hon Benjamin Mwangi and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Michael Sialai.

The Inaugural Ceremony was graced by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, Sunday evening ahead of the plenary meetings which run 14 - 17 October. IPU exists to empower parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development.