Bungoma County, once ranked among the top counties in Kenya for high cases of gender-based violence (GBV), is taking significant strides to combat this pressing issue. A recent boost came through a Kenya-Finland bilateral agreement that sponsored short counseling courses for over 600 stakeholders. These participants, drawn from various sectors including national government, education, and health, gathered at Kibabii University for their graduation ceremony, marking a crucial step in enhancing the community’s anti-GBV efforts.
During the event, Gender Principal Secretary Ann Wang’ombe emphasized the national government’s commitment to addressing the menace of GBV, which has long been a societal concern. She highlighted the economic burden that gender-based violence imposes on communities and expressed optimism that collaboration with international partners, such as the Finnish government, will facilitate meaningful change.
Bungoma County Deputy Governor Jenniffer Mbatiany, representing Governor Ken Lusaka, assured attendees of the county government’s unwavering support in the fight against GBV. She urged graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they gained during their training to actively reduce GBV cases in their communities.
A significant issue raised during the discussions was Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), particularly prevalent in the Mt. Elgon region among the Sabaot community. Mbatiany stressed the need to eradicate this harmful practice, which adversely impacts the well-being of girls in the community. She commended the efforts of Finnish partners, noting their contributions have helped shift grassroots mindsets and challenged retrogressive cultural practices.
Roy Sasaka, CEO of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, spoke about the necessity of supporting affected individuals in initiating development projects through the office of the Woman Representative. He reinforced the importance of providing practical assistance to empower those impacted by GBV.
Bungoma County’s Gender County Executive Committee Member, Caroline Makali, called on the Bungoma County Assembly to allocate additional funds to the gender department. This financial support would enable the implementation of robust programs aimed at curbing GBV and fostering a safer environment for all residents.
