By Matilda Atieno
The county government together with its partners launched the Kisumu County Gender Mainstreaming policy one year after the adoption of the Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) policy, the first of its kind.
Kisumu is on track to achieve gender equality and empowerment, a step in the right direction towards a gender equal community. Supported by SDGs Kenya Forum as a partner, the county government together with the Gender Technical working group and the stakeholders put forward ambitious plans to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through the formulation of the Kisumu County Gender Mainstreaming policy.
In a colorful event graced by the County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Elisha Oraro, the Chief guest Mr. Baraka Abdalla who is also the county chief of staff, the CEC member for Education ICT and Human Resource Development, Mr. John Awiti, Members of the County Assembly, Hon. Pamela Odhiambo Chair-Welfare and equal Opportunities, Hon.Seth Okumu, Chair – Administration of Law, Justice and Constitutional and Governance Committee as well as participants including the gender technical working group, stakeholders, state and the none state agencies, Muslim community, youth, people living with disability and members of the community.
On unveiling the policy, the chief of staff Mr. Baraka Abdallah laid out the Governor’s message, appreciating the efforts put in place to see to it that the policy is officially presented for implementation in all sectors stating that the county government is committed to leaving no one behind on the progress of gender equality.
“We are here to collaborate, as well as help implement and strengthen the work on gender equality and women’s empowerment”, said Mr. Baraka.
High Representative, the Speaker Hon. Oraro, recognized that the policy is a journey towards achieving gender equality commitments. The Speaker promised to engage the executive and partners to commit to creating a more inclusive and equal government, noting that the assembly will ensure an engendered budget in all sectors, sentiments that was echoed by the CEC member Mr. Awiti.
Kisumu is a forerunner in the implementation of the Gender mainstreaming policy and many other policies that have been enacted including the PWDs Policy, SGBV Policy, Youth policy and many others.
The Policy focuses on renewing the sense of equality, empowerment, accountability, inclusion and transformative gender equality commitments.
The launch is evidence that Kisumu County commits to putting forth actionable guidelines on how to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
A commitment to gender mainstreaming is one of the most effective ways that governments can support and promote gender equality.
Also present were chief officer, Madam Peninnah Onyango, representative from Kisumu city board, Madam Farida Salim, County officials, the state Department of Gender and stakeholders from private organizations.
