Breaking the barriers: Parents break the gender myths as Kilifi families reconcile

Kilifi, Wednesday, 17, May, 2023

KNA by Jackson Msanzu

Hundreds of parents in Kilifi County have broken the gender-based myths that contributed to the social oppression of women and children following training on positive parenting in Kilifi. 

Piloting of the parental guidelines training carried out by the state department for Social Development in Ganze, Magarini, and Kaloleni Sub-Counties has shown positive results where family members have reconciled and broken the social barriers to living a positive life. 

During a visit to Garashi village in Magarini, parents Led by Kazungu Chengo told the media that men have changed and are performing house chores, helping in attending to children, and other responsibilities that were left to be done by women. 

This turn of events has brought family stability through cooperation that has strengthened ties among the family members. 

Chengo, a father of 13 children, said that he prevented boys from helping their sisters in doing domestic tasks. He would even take boys’ education more seriously and leave his girls behind but all changed after the training. 

“Since I started attending these teachings, I have seen a lot of changes in how I lived with my family. I followed the teachings and I stopped being harsh to my family. I started having a good relationship with my children, and my wife. We cooperated well and I worked harder to educate my children,” Chengo said. 

“At that time, I had not received any teachings, my husband could not even help me cook. Even if I was sick, I had to get out of bed and cook food for the family. But this time, he doesn't even wait for me to fall sick. If I get tired, he helps me cook for the family,” Rose Nyanje from Zhongwani village said. 

Miss Nyanje added that parents used to lead their families in a dictatorship manner where orders, threats, and severe punishments became the way of bringing up their children. 

Nyevu Fondo, a parent of three children from Garashi village was a depressed woman. Her firstborn son rebelled after she was too harsh on him. 

She explained that her son did not want to talk to her anymore. Her fallout with her son caused emotional pain.

“I was depressed to the level that I used to talk alone when walking in the streets. I was asking myself, why? He was the only boy I depended on to help me but he rebelled against me at a tender age”, she said. 

After attending several parenting sessions, she practiced what she learned. She organized a family meeting where her children got a chance to express themselves. From that day, her life changed and became a happy mother after reconciling with her son and restoring the family love.

“The way he changed, I was so grateful because I knew it was as a result of the parenting teachings so I brought my family closer because I used to be harsh and negative on how I spoke to my children,” she said. 

On Monday, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Florence Bore launched the National Positive Parenting Programme (NPPP) guideline and manual that will strengthen family ties, promote healthy child development as well as enhance good practices and attitudes on parenting. 

Courtesy; K.N.A