Kirinyaga in financial inclusion campaign to fight GBV

The Kirinyaga government has started financial inclusion campaigns in war on gender-based violence.

The meetings bringing together opinion leaders from both genders are meant to educate families on prudent ways of handling their finances.

This, the county says, will avert quarrels triggered by finance issues that arise in many homes and at times turn ugly.

The initiative by the county comes as the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day.

The forums spearheaded by gender and youth executive Millicent Nyawira, have been emphasising on matters of financial inclusion, succession, emerging economic opportunities and women empowerment and protection.

 This year’s International Women’s Day is themed “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”.

Nyawira said the topics covered in the local forums are in line with the theme.

“We have been speaking to women and men on financial literacy, emphasising on economic empowerment, proper inheritance and succession planning to mitigate conflicts within families,” she said.

Parents have been urged to open up to their children about their possessions and how property should be shared equally and fairly.

Evans Muriithi, an opinion leader who took part in a public dialogue in Baricho subcounty, said the initiative equipped them with knowledge on ways to handle and invest their money as well as having stable homes.

He attributed the many succession disputes in Mount Kenya to ignorance and poor planning.

“I appreciate the county government’s effort for championing GBV issues in an inclusive manner that incorporated men,” he said.

Nyawira said Governor Anne Waiguru is committed to fighting GBV.

 The county government is building a GBV recovery centre at Kerugoya Hospital, she said.

Elizabeth Njenga of Rainforest Alliance, a partner in the programme, said they have invested in empowering the community to understand market opportunities available.

They have also been encouraging farmers to diversify their sources of income from tea and coffee farming to other agricultural ventures.

 Women go through challenges in financial inclusion and succession due to patriarchal systems, she said.

“The main issues affecting women include succession as the system is still patriarchal and it is mostly men who own land, thus women find it difficult getting financial inclusion or even loans," she said.