BY MANUEL ODENY

Gender stakeholders in Kenya have been challenged to come together to help fight sexual gender based violence in the community.

Stakeholders. from both government and private sector, have been urged to come together in helping arrest cases of gender based violence in the country.

“As leaders and gender stakeholder let us unite in one accord to continue the fight, government is doing a lot and we need to add to this support,” Benter Ombwayo, the coordinator at Micontrap-Kenya said.

She was speaking in Migori town on Monday during a conference by the organisation which brought government officers, media, police and other civic organisations.

In Migori, Micontrap-Kenya helps fight against sexual gender based violence in Migori and Narok counties among the Kuria, Luo, Maasai and Somali communities with Female Genital Mutilation being key.

The conference is also organised by PAWA and FOKUS Norway.

The conference was organised with an aim of “advancing collective action to end violence against women and girls.”

“We call for all of us to rise up, prevent, protect, defend and make sure they (Women ,Girls) are safe from any form of violence,” Ombwayo said.

Agatha Jane, a police officer from the Kehancha Police station in Kuria West sub-county said because of FGM they crime desk is overwhelmed by cases of FGM.

“We are also facing cases of sexual violence, parental neglect, school drop out and general family breakdown when women and girls are not protected in the society,” Agatha said.

The two said they are concerned that girls and women still get subjected to cruelty and have their rights abused as society still insist on hiding behind harmful culture and traditional practices.

“The most stressful situation, is that immediately after FGM/Cut practice Girls at whatever age are regarded as women ready for marriage,” Agatha said.

The meeting comes as Kuria and Maasai girls have been facing FGM with police and the stakeholders overwhelmed.

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“This time during the Christmas festive season we were overwhelmed to control FGM in Kuria region,” Janet Achieng, a nurse said.

“Community leaders especially elders still remain obstacles to the change desired for a better society,” she added.