First Lady lauds Kisumu County on gender strides

Kisumu County assembly has developed policies to champion the rights of women, minority groups and persons living with disability.

Among them is the Kisumu County Women, Youths and Persons Living with Disability Act. This came out during celebrations to mark International Women’s Day Kisumu Chapter in the county last week.

First Lady Dorothy Nyong’o who led the celebration urged the County assembly to develop more policies that champion women’s rights.

She said that although the county had come up with the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Act, there more still need to be done to ensure women are actively involved in county activities.

“As we celebrate the strides made so far, let’s not forget to steer forward a more intense national conversation in realizing women’s rights,” she said.

Empowerment

Governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o, Education County Executive Committee (CEC) Dr John Obiero Ogone, Health CEC Prof Judith Otieno Miguda, the County Assembly chief whip Pricillah Misachi were among the guests.
Dr Ogone urged other CECs to ensure women empowerment is on the frontline in their departments.

The county also celebrated women empowerment breakthroughs they had achieved last year, including the adaptation of the Sexual and Gender-based violence policy.

“It is important to note that Kisumu was the second county to build a comprehensive policy framework to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence at the local level,” said Ms Nyong’o.

The policy calls for sexual and gender-based violence interventions including financial allocation and human resource.

Young mothers

The county also set up sexual and gender-based violence centres at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital and the Ahero Sub-county Hospital. It plans to set up baby care spaces in vocational training centres to help young mothers.

At least 20 Community-based and non-government organizations including Plan International, Women working with Women, Women Concern Centre, Arm strong women, Maendeleo ya Wanawake who were represented at the event, called for women participation in the county government.