After three years of impactful work in Bungoma, Kilifi, and Samburu counties, the Kenya-Finland bilateral program aimed at curbing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will officially conclude this February. The program, which has been instrumental in addressing GBV and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), has recorded remarkable success, particularly in Bungoma County.
Speaking during a post-mortem meeting to evaluate the program’s achievements, Dr. Josephine Obonyo, Secretary of Gender at the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, acknowledged the significant progress made. She highlighted that duty bearers, including psychologists, mediators, and community leaders, have been trained to tackle GBV cases effectively.
Dr. Obonyo emphasized that the government is committed to sustaining the program beyond its official end date. She revealed that counter-funding measures have been put in place to ensure the continuity of initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable groups.
“We are looking forward to the next GBV report from Bungoma. The preliminary findings indicate a significant drop in cases, which is a great success,“ she stated.
Bungoma County Deputy Governor Jennifer Mbatiany commended the program’s impact, especially in addressing FGM among the Sabaot community. She noted that through community sensitization efforts, elders and stakeholders have collectively agreed to abandon the harmful practice.
“This program has been a game-changer in our fight against FGM. Through education and engagement, we have seen a shift in mindset, and we are optimistic that this change will be permanent,” Mbatiany affirmed.
Finland’s government representative, Annu Rantala, expressed her optimism about the program’s achievements. She lauded the collaborative approach that brought together various stakeholders, ensuring maximum impact in the targeted regions.
During the event, West Media Limited was recognized with a Certificate of Excellence for its role in sensitizing communities on GBV issues. This writer was also honored for delivering compelling stories that have contributed to raising awareness.