Men were encouraged to take part in the fight against Gender Based Violence as an important part of addressing social injustices against women and children.
Dr. Tobias Ogolla (Migori Civil Society Organisations) Programs Coordinator says that most GBV violators in Migori are men, and their participation in the GBV movement is vital.
Ogolla, who was the official at the launch of 16 days of activism against GBV on the theme of ‘Activism against GBV on women and girls 2022’It was noted that male involvement will help to unlock the threat and promote the county’s social economic development.
“Our women experience both verbal and physical violence when they return late from selling their produce at the market place yet these are some of the major activities steering our economic growth and revenue collection,” said Ogolla.
Ms. Linet Atieno is the Migori County Culture director. She stressed that the county’s focus is on protecting girls from rape, teenage pregnancies, and early marriages.
She said that the county has provided bursaries for bright but poor girls to ensure that they receive an education. It is a tool that will help to remove the social injustices that women are subjected to.
Atieno, however, noted that the county formulated Sexual Harassment and Gender Based Violence County Policy (SGBV) but has not been fully operationalized to address key issues that include girl child education, FGM and child labour as key indicators to solving violence and discrimination against women and girls.
The 2019 SGBV policy addressed issues such as HIV and Aids infection, teenage pregnancy, early marriages, and other issues that fuel violence against women.
Mr. Benson Karani (Deputy County Commissioner) outlined that early marriages as well as adolescent pregnancies, FGM and early marriages are the main factors that make women more vulnerable to violence.
He said that pregnancies that lead to domestic violence often force girls into marriage. Karani identified three factors that contribute to adolescent pregnancies. These were lack of cash, a lack of understanding about how to be a mother, and the pain of dropping out school.
Karani explained that if men fought against vice, society could be transformed into a better place for people to live.
However, he cautioned that the multiagency security unit will be on the alert for men who do social injustice to women or girls and will take a ruthless approach to them.
The Administrator urged the girl-child that she speak out about violence as the only way security apparatuses can be alert.
“A lot of our girls have been threatened that harm will come their way if they speak about the social violence and injustice inflicted on them. I want to assure you that these men do these things to discourage you from speaking the truth and if you don’t guilt will always be part of your entire life”, noted Karani.
He stated that the County Executive, GBV Actors and Civil Society Groups, together with the security team, would enforce GBV laws to combat gender-related violations.
Last month the County Gender stakeholder’s Committee Chaired by Migori Director of Gender, Mr. Kennedy Oomo, established that the County has made tremendous efforts to curb GBV as well as FGM, reducing it by almost 50 percent.
However, the committee found that GBV was not the only option, especially for women with lifestyle diseases such as cancer.
Oomo admitted that the committee had received information about cancer patients being chased from their matrimonial homes, while others were abandoned by close family members believing that they have been bewitched.
The County has also seen great success in male involvement against FGM, which has been associated to GBV. The initiative ‘Men Against FGM’ and the involvement of Kuria elders has hugely changed the mindset of the community and according to Mr. Karani, the incorporation of men in the GBV movement will be a stepping stone in the fight against the negative vice.
By Geoffrey Makokha
Source: kenyanews
