The Parliamentary Network Secretariat had a chance to sit down with Senator Joy Gwendo. She was elected to the Board of PN at the 2015 GPC in Washington, D.C. Senator Gwendo is a champion of women’s empowerment and a successful journalist. We were able to interview her, posing questions about what she sees for the Network in the future, as well understanding being able to get more personal with the Senator from Kenya.

How is the Parliamentary Network relevant and important to you and your colleagues internationally?

The Parliamentary Network is important to me because of the platform it gives me to learn best practices from other members of parliament from advanced countries. Considering our Parliament is operating on a bicameral system which is a new thing after the 1st attempt that failed in 1963, my colleagues also get a chance to learn much from interactions and meetings with Members already in this system.

In what ways can the Parliamentary Network positively impact the development debate in the coming 2 years?

The Parliamentary Network can positively impact the development debate by engaging Member countries in sessions on money management and better funding sources. In this way, energy will be targeted towards development once availability of funds is enabled.

When did you begin to engage with the Parliamentary Network and what were the reasons to become a Member of the Board at the Network?

I started engaging with PN two years ago and I wanted to be on the forefront of these discussions as well as be at the decision-making table. Thus, I decided to try my luck in the board elections and it was an overwhelming success.

Do you have any thematic interests that you would like to concentrate on as a Board Member? How would you like to see your interests addressed within the Parliamentary Network?

I am interested in women empowerment. And if at all Members of the Board would find a way of sponsoring an empowerment program in my county then it would be my Joy.

Do your constituents see the effects of international development cooperation? If yes, how?

Not much yet but I look forward to a few things I have in the pipeline.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like dancing.