GBV: Protect the vulnerable, women and girls, says CS
What you need to know:
- Public Service and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia concerned over increasing cases of GBV during the Covid-19 pandemic period.
- Asked administrators to remain vigilant to bring to book perpetrators of GBV crimes.
- Noted the resurgence of FGM in communities that practice the cultural rite.
- Urged Kenyans to hold the family institution with the dignity and honour it deserves.
Public Service and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia has raised concern over increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) during the Covid-19 pandemic period.
Speaking at Kathwana in Tharaka Nithi County while issuing donations to Covid-19 response committee, Prof Kobia asked administrators to remain vigilant to bring to book perpetrators of GBV crimes.
She noted that many people have lost jobs and livelihoods affecting family relations.
Prof Kobia said there is also a resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in communities that practice the cultural rite and pointed out the Ameru region as one of the hotspots for the outdated practice.
“The family has always been the institution of safety and refuge during calamities but to the contrary, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the institution has turned into a dangerous place where members have become vulnerable,” said Prof Kobia.
Family institution
She said cases of domestic violence, early childhood pregnancies and incest have increased and urged Kenyans to hold the family institution with the dignity and honour it deserves.
The CS noted that with the escalating cases of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, there is a need to protect the vulnerable in the society, especially the girl-child and women.
She said President Uhuru Kenyatta is committed to ending FGM in the country by 2022 and asked administrators and the other sector players to ensure those violating the rights of girls and women face the full force of the law.
The CS issued Sh11.4 million cheque to 38 women groups through the Affirmative Action funds.
She said Uwezo Fund will also be issuing cheques worth Sh5.9 million to 93 groups in the county, adding that the money is meant to cushion women businesses and their families, especially during this time of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said his government is committed to ensuring the vulnerable people are supported during the pandemic.
Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene lauded President Kenyatta for his commitment in ending FGM and urged locals to shun from the illegal ‘cut’.
Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner Ms Beverly Opwora said since January, 35 cases of GBV cases have been reported and 27 defilement cases.
