Educate your girls to end teen pregnancy, GBV, Kwale parents told

Kwale parents have been urged to prioritize girl child education as one way of empowering women and fighting teen pregnancy and GBV cases.

Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo said education is the only way women can fight for equal rights in employment opportunities and unshackle themselves from poverty. 

Kombo told parents to do away with outdated traditions and cultures that prevent women from learning and taking part in national development.

Kwale is among the coastal counties where a huge percent of the population is still not taking girls' education seriously despite having county bursary programmes.

Most girls are preserved for marriage and used as a source of family wealth while the boy child's future is prioritised, according to rights organizations.

It is believed many girls are not able to pursue further education because some parents think educating girls is a waste of time and resources since they will be married off.

The rights organizations further state, some parents take girls to school because they fear being arrested and after form four they don't send them to colleges.

As a result, they are left stranded as their future fades through unwanted pregnancies and early marriages.

Kombo told the parents to take advantage of the county bursary programme to change girls' future.

"Let's remove the barriers impeding girls' education and women's leadership and make good use of the county bursaries to transform lives," he said. 

Kombo blamed the obsolete tradition and cultures for the delay of the development not only in Kwale but also in the entire coastal region.

The Deputy governor spoke during the issuance of bursary cheques to Ukunda ward students in the Msambweni sub-county on Saturday.

At least 99 students from Ukunda who were under fully county government sponsorship have graduated this year, majority being girls.

Over 5500 students are under full county sponsorship.

The county has so far distributed more than sh3.3 million bursaries for national schools continuing students through the Elimu Ni Sasa Initiative.

Early this month, the county launched the distribution exercise of bursaries worth 35 million for secondary and university students in the 20 Kwale wards.

A program started in 2013 to sponsor the education of needy students and person living with disabilities to improve literacy levels in Kwale.

Kombo said the county government is steadfast in promoting equal learning opportunities and ensuring girls are not left behind.

He said the county will support girls' education to have more of them graduate in various professions and become responsible leaders.

Kombo challenged women to go for political seats and prove to the world that their leadership counts.

"In the next general elections, we would like to have many girls and women vying for different political positions," he said.

The DG said soon Kwale will be a hub of professions with great demand from the international markets.

He said the Kwale government seeks to strengthen the bursary kitty and scholarship programme for more children to get the desired education and job skills.

Kombo called on the parents to up their parental responsibilities to help the county achieve its development goals.

He said parents should ensure children get the required education and monitor their behavioral change to keep them on the right path.

Kombo said the county is focused on having educated children and productive youth.

He underscored the need for parents to urge youth to go for technical courses to gain job skills and become competent in the employment industry.

He told the youth to shun drugs, violence and observe peace.

Kombo said that the county government is working closely with the national administration to ensure there is peace and unity in the county.

"Youth kindly stay away from criminal activities, and involve yourselves in constructive agendas," he said.