Your gender shouldn't be an obstacle to success – Malit to Homa Bay women

Female gender does not incapacitate and prevent women from achieving their dreams, Homa Bay Gender & Social Services executive member Sarah Mali has said.

She argued that the world has transformed and women can fight for the available job opportunities as their male counterparts.

Malit wants women in Homa Bay to come out and fight the barriers that contribute to discrimination that have continued to deny them access to such opportunities.

Some of the obstacles include poverty and lack of economic opportunities, negative norms and cultural practices such as child marriage and teen pregnancies. Women are also taken as a weaker sex.

Others are violence against women and girls, inadequate access to education and healthcare and food insecurity.

Among the listed barriers, Homa Bay is still grappling to address teen pregnancies and sexual gender-based violence.

Despite the challenges, Malit asked women in the county not to succumb to such gender parities and fail to seek the available opportunities.

“It is important for women to come out and face the world. Being a woman shouldn’t be a reason to debilitate you from achieving your ambition since you’re equally capable,” Malit said.

Speaking when they marked this year’s International Women’s Day at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay town, the executive member called on partners and other stakeholders to fast-track ways of eliminating inequality between women and men.

The celebration theme was ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.’

Some partners present included ChildFund-Kenya, Homa Bay Gender Violence Recovery Centre and Breakthrough Action among other organisations.

Accompanied by her chief officer Dolphin Ochere, director Evelyn Ododa and the county assembly chairman on committee gender Paul Bari, Malit asked for a working together to address gender inequalities.

Homa Bay is striving to reduce the disparities by being gender inclusive. Governor Gladys Wanga has appointed three women in her cabinet, four as chief officers and more than 10 as directors.

The devolved unit has also introduced a full scholarship program called Fins to Swim that supports the education of bright but needy girls and boys.

Homa Bay is also among the counties in Kenya which elected three women as MPs and Wanga as governor in the last general election. This is seen as a way of reducing gender inequality.

“Let’s focus on how to bridge the gap of gender parities. The election and appointment of women into such offices is a true picture of a progressive society towards achieving gender equality and women empowerment,” she added.

ChildFund-Kenya project coordinator Mary Ochieng said they are focusing on improving the development outcome for children in the community.

“We’re focusing on creating a nurturing environment for young boys and girls in equal measure. A strong foundation would guarantee a brighter future for them as adults,” Ochieng said.

Homa Bay Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) programmes coordinator Dennis Mwanzia said they are committed to addressing gender violence as a collective to benefit society.

Mwanzia they are investing in women to break barriers and ensure equal opportunities for harnessing the untapped potential in society.

“Let individuals, communities and policymakers prioritize and invest in women-centric initiatives,” he said.

Breakthrough Action social behaviour change technical office Janet Akech said they are emphasizing the need to include adolescent girls in decision-making in regard to their reproductive health and education.

“Information on reproductive health will ensure girls are kept in school and empower them in education,” Akech said.

The MCA said the county assembly approved legislation that ensured women are included when constituting municipality board membership.

“There is legislation, still under public participation, that will ensure women traders are supported by being given startup capital to do business,” Bari said.