Men have been urged to join the battle against gender-based violence (GBV), to redress societal injustices affecting women and children.
The majority of GBV violators are men, and their participation in the GBV movement will be crucial, according to Dr. Tobias Ogolla, the Programs Coordinator for Migori Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Ogolla, who presided over the beginning of the 16 days of activism against GBV with the subject “Activism against GBV on Women and Girls 2022,” said that male involvement will help to end the threat and advance the nation’s social and economic growth.
“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.
The director of culture for Migori County, Ms. Linet Atieno, emphasized that the county is committed to protecting young women from harmful traditions including female genital mutilation, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage.
She reaffirmed that the county has been giving scholarships to gifted but underprivileged girls in order to ensure that they receive an education, as a means of overcoming the social unfairness that women experience in society.
Atieno pointed out that despite the county’s efforts to address important issues like girl child education, FGM, and child labor as key indicators to resolving violence and discrimination against women and girls, the Sexual Harassment and Gender Based Violence County Policy (SGBV) has not yet been fully operationalized.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25, marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign that continues through December 10 Human Rights Day.
All governments are urged to commit to taking action in the four essential policy areas of Fund, Prevent, Respond, and Collect.
Male participation in the fight against the FGM vice, which has been linked to GBV, has also been extremely successful for the County.The inclusion of men in the GBV movement will be a step in the battle against the harmful vice. The initiative “Men Against FGM” and the involvement of Kuria elders have significantly changed the mindset of the community.
