Laikipia residents urged to utilize Policare to reduce SGBV cases

Oct 12, 2023 - 12:25

Students, government officer and other Ant-FGM stakeholders held a procession in Nanyuki town to sensitize residents about the International Day of Girl child, commemorated on October 11, annually. (Photos by Martin Munyi/KNA).

Nanyuki,

Thursday, October 12, 2023

KNA by Muturi Mwangi

The international day of the girl child was marked in Laikipia with a call on residents to utilize the policare office at the Nanyuki police station in an effort to reduce Sexual Gender Based violence(SGBV).

Pupils, students, child activists, government officers and other Anti-FGM stakeholders held a procession in the street of Nanyuki, spreading the message of the theme this year’s celebrations which was “Our Time is Now Our Rights, Our Future.” The day is normally commemorated on October 11 annually.

The theme aimed to connect adolescent girls with stakeholders that champion their rights that include government, Non-government organizations and civil societies.

Ant- FGM board programme manager Nyerere Kutwa termed Laikipia as one of the SGBV hotspot in the country where Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early child marriages and teen pregnancies was prevalent.

“We are here to partner with the schools, community organizations, government and private sectors for us to amplify the voices of girls. Laikipia is one of the FGM hotspot in Kenya,” said Kutwa, adding that there was need to create awareness against the SGBV vices in the county.

Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner who officiated the flagging off ceremony said that FGM was hindrance to girls’ empowerment.

The DCC encouraged the utilization of policare, a one stop shop that addresses SGBV, revealing that the Sh.9 million facility was equipped with judiciary, children’s, doctor’s triaging room and an investigator’s sections seeking to ensure justice is dispensed to the victims on time.

“Today is a day to highlight challenges of a girl child and what they go through including FGM. However, in Laikipia, we are privileged to have policare, a one stop shop that all SGBV cases should be reported to,” said Muli.

Muli said that services at the policare were offered free of charge and residents should not shy away from visiting the facility to report SGBV cases.

On her part, Laikipia county Gender Coordinator Karen Kiogora decried that defilement cases were rampant in urban-poor areas and called on parents to be keen in protecting their girls aimed at ensuring they do not fall victims of SGBV.

SGBV stakeholders also appealed for increased funding to help in the fight against FGM cases in the country.

Courtesy; KNA