Female genital mutilation, teenage pregnancy, child marriage and defilement have been listed internationally as forms of harmful practices and violation of human rights.
Prevalence of these practices in Kenya remains high despite the government developing laws and policies to address and help end them.
Some of the key laws and policies addressing the harmful practices include the Constitution of Kenya 2010, The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011), Sexual Offences Act, 2006, Children’s Act, 2001 as well as county-specific policies on sexual and gender-based violence and a presidential decree to end FGM by 2022.
However of great concern remains the extent of the engagement of the ordinary mwanachi with these key legislations. Majority of the public, the young and the elderly, are not aware of these laws and policies. They are well known among the elites and specific stakeholders working in related fields, ie, police, Judiciary, gender department, civil society organisations and NGOs.
We acknowledge the efforts of the government and non-state actors who have played a key role in developing the legislation. However more efforts should be directed to their dissemination and implementation. This will help to publicise and popularise the legislation among wananchi.
This can be done through budget allocations by the Executive to support dissemination and implementation, translation of the laws to Kiswahili and local languages as well as using local radio and TV stations to educate the public about the laws and policies.
Teachers should also be empowered to understand the legislation so that they in turn can teach their students about them.
This will empower the public to be informed about what is illegal. It will also enhance case reporting and evidence preservation. This in the long run will play a big role in ending harmful practices in Kenya, thereby promoting the rights and health of young girls and women in our communities.
Youth committee advocate at Reproductive Health Network Kenya
