Trans Nzoia Parents asked to guard their children against the Triple Threats

Kitale,

Wednesday, November 1, 2023,

KNA by Maurice Aluda

The government has urged Parents in Trans Nzoia County to be in full charge of their children to guard them against any threats that can interrupt their education, this follows the long holiday for students spanning to over two months.

Trans Nzoia County Commissioner (CC) Mr. Gideon Oyagi appealed during the County Technical Working Group Committee on Triple Threats meeting held on Tuesday at a Kitale hotel.

The meeting themed, “Scaling up of the Teenage Pregnancies, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, HIV/AIDs and Child Protection (TAC) Initiative commonly referred to as Triple Threat,” brought together various stakeholders concerned with children's issues.

Addressing the press on the sidelines of the meeting, CC Oyagi the main objective of the county technical working group Tuesday forum was to provide a status report regarding the Triple Threats as well as deliberate on strategies and measures for combating the same.

According to the county commissioner, the meeting was informed that early teenage pregnancies were the biggest threat, citing a sharp increase in reported cases in the county.

 “The meeting has exhaustively looked into the three threats, teenage pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence, and HIV/AIDs. However, early teenage pregnancies have been labeled as the biggest threat in Trans Nzoia County,” remarked Oyagi.

“If adequate measures are not in place to curb the problem of early teenage pregnancies, the county will continue to experience an increased number of young girls falling into this trap,” cautioned Oyagi.

Appealing to parents, guardians, and stakeholders to scale up efforts aimed at protecting young girls against early pregnancies, the CC highlighted some of the challenges associated with this threat.

 “Besides dropping out of school or difficulty juggling school with a child, chances of affected girls getting infected with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDs are very high,” he warned.

The county boss further identified the cost of raising a child, change in social status, the possibility of family conflict, and changes to mental health as some of the difficulties experienced by teenage mothers.

 “Therefore, I am strongly appealing to parents and guardians to take serious child protection responsibility to prevent our young girls from falling into such kinds of problems,” urged Oyagi.

He instead encouraged girls in the county to put more focus and emphasis on their academics, describing education as the only sure path to future prosperity.

Oyagi also urged members of the public to ensure they embraced available methods and protective tools to avoid getting infected with the dread of HIV/AIDs disease as guided by the Ministry of Health.

 “We are advising members of the public against any behaviors that might increase stigma among those affected by HIV but instead do whatever is possible to help them feel part of the society for them to lead healthier and happier lives,” remarked Oyagi.

Speaking at the same event, National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) North Rift Regional Coordinator Mr. Bernard Kigen asked parents not to feel shy but instead engage their children in sexual education, especially during this long holiday.

“It is regrettable to note the majority of parents countrywide have left the role of sexual education to teachers,” observed Kigen. 

The official disclosed the technical working group had resolved to mount regular adolescent conferences aimed at educating the youth to enable reduced escalation of cases associated with the Triple Threats and their impact on the county.

Courtesy; KNA