A Kenyan High Court judge, Teresia Matheka has ruled being a housewife a fulltime job that should come with some form of compensation.
The judge who was presiding over a matrimonial property dispute, said that it is unfair for courts to rule that housewives do not contribute anything to the financial progress of the family.
The complainant who is reportedly said to be a divorced lady who sought to have their family property sold and the money shared equally between her and her ex-husband.
The judge said; “It is easy for the spouse working away from home and sending money to lay claim to the whole property purchased and developed with that money by the spouse staying at home and taking care of the children and the family. That spouse will be heard to say that the other one was not employed so they contributed nothing.
“Raising children is a full-time job that families pay a person to do. Cooking and cleaning as well. Hence, for a woman in employment who has to balance childbearing and rearing this contribution must be considered.”
Teresia also urged her counterparts to consider the 9 months of pregnancy when presiding over cases of matrimonial disputes. She stated that carrying a pregnancy is equal to working, noting that some couples have lately resorted to hiring surrogate mothers to bear children for them.
Passing judgement on the case brought before her, Matheka ruled that the property be sold and money shared equally, or one of the spouses buy out the other party by paying half the value of the property that the party is entitled to.