The Parklands Diary

 Image by Markus Winkler from Pexels Every year, on May 1st, workers throughout Bangladesh march under the red solidarity flags to celebrate International Workers' Day along with the whole world. Traditionally marked with rallies, songs, and speeches, May Day commemorates the continuous struggle for decent labor, dignity, and justice. But behind the symbolism is a somber truth: for most Bangladeshi laborers, particularly those working in informal, unregulated, and emerging industries, the promises of May Day in which labor rights are adhered to still remain ineffective. In 2025, the celebration assumes an even more added meaning. At a time of political change and the unveiling of a landmark Labour Reform Commission report submitted to Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus on 21 st April 2025, the moment is opportune to revisit workers' rights not only in the factory, but throughout all areas of work; from home to cyberspace, from rural fields to distant shores and from agriculture to ricksh...

 Image from iStock by Daniel Deitschel INTRODUCTION History is fraught with religious leaders from whom the fountain of law sprung and for ages, there was no clear distinction between religion and law. From Moses in Judaism to Muhammad in Islam, religion has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape in various societies. As Lord Denning contends [1] : “Although religion, law and morals can be separated, they are nevertheless still very much dependent on each other. Without religion there can be no morality: and without morality there can be no law." In light of the laws of the land, article 8 of the Constitution of Kenya states that Kenya shall not have a state religion, effectively making Kenya a secular state. Nonetheless, the ‘people’ in the preamble affirm the supremacy of the Almighty God, thus implying that Kenya is a religious state. What then is the distinction? Is Kenya a religious state or does it in fact have a state religion? This document notes that w...

 Image by Chelsi Peter from Pexels Introduction It is trite knowledge that women have a right to dignity and equality. Yet, despite the simplicity of this demand, the Kenyan society often displays an unusual ignorance towards it. This document investigates the dynamic interplay between law, women, and culture in Kenya, analyzing how legal frameworks have responded to tensions stemming from cultural norms that have historically dehumanized and marginalized women. It underscores the centrality of material conditions—most notably property ownership—as a catalyst for transformative social, economic, and political shifts. The analysis is organized into five critical domains: property rights, succession disputes, the role of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), women’s participation in leadership, and the escalating issue of femicide. Each section evaluates the impact of legal reforms, particularly those enshrined in the 2010 Kenyan Constitution, in enabling women to contest entrenc...