Uasin Gishu government is developing a new gender policy that will help combat gender-based violence, promote gender inclusivity and women empowerment.
Governor Jonathan Bii is keen on the new policy that will help to advocate social, economic and financial inclusion of women in economic matters, as well as encourage male involvement in gender and community issues.
The proposed Gender Policy Development implementation roadmap was presented to the Gender executive Antony Sitienei through the Gender Policy Development committee.
The committee shared the roadmap on development of the policy and introduced the partners involved in the process, among them, Reprodrive, Norta, Smatkkey and Kerio Rights Organizations under the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network umbrella.
Speaking during the meeting, Sitienei assured the committee of the goodwill and support from the executive led by the governor.
"We are happy with your commitment and progress so far to ensuring that we have the gender policy in place as soon as possible," he said.
He urged the committee to be inclusive when coming up with the policy document, engage stakeholders, heads of departments, county assembly committee and gender champions, as well as the public through public participation.
"The committee should expedite the process and follow timelines keenly so that we can have the policy in place by November," Sitienei said.
Gender chief officer Eunice Suter said the document will be crucial upon completion because it will help in empowering women to be able to assume leadership roles, among other benefits.
“The new policy will also help us combat gender-based violence promote gender inclusivity, advocate social economic and financial inclusion, as well as encourage male involvement in gender and community issues,” she said.
Governor Bii has committed himself to introduce programmes and projects that will empower women to actively participate in economic development of the county.
“We know women have better capacity, commitment and the drive to help transform our communities in matters development and that is why we want the new gender policy in place to help us drive our agenda,” he said.
Gender director, who is also the chairperson of the committee, Joywin Sang, deputy director Kimingi Wainaina and Tecla Biwott from State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action were present.
