- According to the Network for Adolescents and Youth of Africa programme officer Dorcus Mwachi, the Bill was presented to the county assembly in 2018.
- By June this year, the county had registered 4,000 fresh cases, according to county ambassador of menstrual hygiene Christine Mwaka.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
Some Kwale activists now want the new county government under Fatuma Achani’s leadership to effectively address gender-based violence.
They want the county to pass the Gender Bill to enable them to create rescue centres and fund their operations in a bid to quell the vice.
The activists had previously presented the Bill in the county assembly but it had not yet been approved.
According to the Network for Adolescents and Youth of Africa programme officer Dorcus Mwachi, the Bill was presented to the county assembly in 2018.
Kwale is among the coastal counties leading in teen pregnancies.
Last year the region recorded more than 9,000 teen pregnancy cases.
By June this year, the county had registered 4,000 fresh cases, according to county ambassador of menstrual hygiene Christine Mwaka.
The highest number of cases were reported in Kinango constituency as per the statement issued by county gender officer Nelly Amoite.
Led by Matuga Sauti ya Wanawanake chairman Mwanakombo Jarumani, the activists said Achani has no time to waste but to sign the Gender Bill to help save Kwale children.
"We want the new governor to go through the Bill and sign it because things are getting worse," she said.
Jarumani said the county should take seriously issues of GBV because it not only affects girls or women, but also families and friends surrounding them.
She said majority of the cases involve incest and rape cases by close relatives hence the need for the victims to be separated from the culprits.
Sodomy cases are also reported in the region.
Jarumani said the Bill would enable the county budget for rescue centres, which will sufficiently assist in dealing with the vice.
She said at the moment, the victims don't get proper justice because perpetrators interfere with the cases.
The activist said some parents of the affected people and the victims receive threats forcing them to withdraw the cases in court.
She further said the victims also undergo too much stress and depression while living near people who harmed them.
"These people are always traumatised going to court and returning to live with the culprits. It makes them feel uncomfortable," she said.
In July, some NGOs, led by Mwachi, petitioned political leaders to include issues of GBV in their manifestos.
The NGOs alleged that the burden of fighting GBVs was left to them with less work done by the county and politicians.
Mwachi said stakeholders believe private organisations are financially stable hence less assistance given to them.
"Our leaders are not doing enough to fight GBVs. Everyone thinks that NGOs are well facilitated and have resources," she said.
She also called on a collective commitment to tackling such cases in Kwale.
Mwachi added that most victims don't get the desired justice because they live among the culprits.
She also appealed to the next county leadership to ensure the Gender Bill is passed to save girls' future.
Mwachi said the incoming governor and MCAs should stay positive on matters of GBV and provide necessary assistance to end the vice.
(edited by Amol Awuor)