By Mitchel Atieno
Gender Based Violence and Femicide cases are rising with several cases of rape, violence, teen pregnancy and school dropout reported in most regions.
According to Steve Kathaka of the National Syndemic Control Council, Kisumu County is leading in HIV with about 131000 infected. These called out for a campaign program which is a collaborative call from His excellence President William Ruto and Women members of parliament both in the National Assembly and the Senate who spearheaded the grassroot initiative to engage with the communities including elders, youths, women, young adults, teachers, boda boda operators, widows and widowers and the police.
The meeting kicked off in Nyakach subcounty, through the office of the Senate led by the nominated member Sen. Catherine Muma and Kisumu County Minister for Sports, Gender, Culture and Youth Affairs Hon. Beatrice Odongo. The engagement forum aimed at discussing solutions towards preventing, responding with different ways to reduce Gender violence and Reports on Femicide.
Speaking during the interview, Senator Catherine Muma addressed the inappropriate sexual activities going on amongst the young generations. “Sex education curriculum to be implemented in schools for the younger generation to learn the consequences of engaging in sexual behaviors” Suggested Sen Muma.
In her remarks, Ms Beatrice Odongo stated that reporting the GBV and Femicide cases helps to substantiate the allegations and to record data hence raising an alarm on the happenings in our society. Ms. Odongo exceeded by stating the policies the government is working on to achieve a rational outcome in issues of GBV and Femicide.
“As a county, we are trying to work with the Gender Sector working group to ensure that we do alot of sensitisation so that people learn the outcomes, we are also working on the Sexual Gender Based Bill which is at the National Assembly and it entails how to reduce issues Gender based Violence and Teen pregnancy “. Said Minister Beatrice Odongo
The council of Elders representative also noted that development in Nyakach can only improve if cases of HIV infections, Teenage pregnancies and school dropouts are reduced.
The Community health Promoters and the Health care workers also pointed out on policies they would implement to help in curbing GBV in Kisumu including evidence protection, strict follow-up after reporting and ensuring that safe houses are built to assist in such cases.
The meeting recommended creating awareness in the community as a key measure in combating GBV and femicide noting that the promotion of policies and more programs through government initiatives to educate the community.
