Kewota: Early marriages remain a threat to girls' education

The government and other stakeholders have been challenged to do more to empower female teachers working in the Northeastern region and promote girl child education.

The Kenya Women Teachers Association(Kewota) which fights for the welfare of teachers says that matters of education cannot be left to the government alone.

Kewota national coordinator Danstan Saboke said that girl-child education was still under threat due to retrogressive cultural practices like FGM and early marriages remaining the biggest threat.

He was speaking at County High School in Garissa on Saturday during the official opening of the office, where branch officials were also elected.

“The numbers don’t lie. We have seen the transition of girls from the time they start schooling to the time they get to college. The numbers drop drastically, an indication that something terrible happens to them along the way that leads to them dropping out of school,” he said.

“What that means is that we will not have enough female teachers and other professionals in years to come if we don’t arrest and correct the situation before it is too late. This calls for a concerted effort from all of us."

Saboke, who is also the national programming officer, said that young girls who have been abused must be assisted to go back to school and be offered psychological support.

He also said that many female teachers were suffering in silence after being subjected to gender-based violence.

Saboke said the new office will work closely with stakeholders to tackle the challenges that both female teachers and girls face.

“On behalf of Kewota, I want to give an assurance that we will remain steadfast in not only enhancing the living standards of women in the teaching profession but also promoting girl child education," he said.

Abdi Barre Aden, the Deputy Principal County High School said administrators and teachers from the region are ready to support Kewota.

Zeinab Ramadan a teacher from County High School and the Kewota coordinator-Garissa Chapter urged the TSC to support them in improving the welfare of teachers especially those working in ASAL counties.

Kewota which was first registered in 2007 was founded by women teachers who wanted a strategic community to bring together women working in the education sector.

The lobby also sought to deliberate on ways to address and advocate for women's needs and to provide an avenue for women teachers to grow professionally, economically and personally.