Women urged to stop fleeing their families due to economic hardship

Mt Elgon Friday June 9 2023

KNA by Douglas Mudambo

Women in Mt Elgon Sub County Bungoma County have been challenged to stop fleeing their families due to the economic hardships experienced across the country.

Maendeleo ya Wanawake Mt Elgon Sub County Chairlady Mrs. Davine Chepkuto while engaging stakeholders on the status of women and girls in the society at Kapsokwony primary and junior Secondary school yesterday noted that numerous cases have been reported of women fleeing their homes due to economic hardship.

Chepkuto said according to a survey carried out by her office, most women have fled their home citing economic hardships.

She said that since Mt Elgon Sub County borders Uganda, many women have crossed the border to the neighbouring country where they think that life is more affordable.

The chair lady also confirmed that most women run to the nearest urban centers around the sub county which include Kimilili, Kamkuywa and Chwele to engage in prostitution.

"This has led to most of the young girls and boys being left under care of their fathers which has led to numerous cases of pregnancies among the young girls and incest among the boys," said Chepkuto.

The Chair lady noted that the cases started way back during the COVID 19 pandemic and the numbers have increased over time.

The household demographics health survey conducted in 2022 indicated that Bungoma County was leading in team pregnancy cases and ranked number three country wide with Mt Elgon Sub County leading in the county.

According to the records at the sub county children's department case load, a total number of 356 cases were reported between July 1 2022 to April 30 2023 with neglect cases leading by 255 and child maintenance at 104 where both boys and girls are involved.

Chepkuto said from the report, many women fail to provide maintenance to their children due to high cost of living and flee, leaving responsibility to the fathers. She noted that her office will soon start to train women on agri-business so as they can have a source of income to maintain their families.

The chair lady added that part of the training will include planting of short season crops to support them during difficult economic times, adding that they are engaging women enterprise fund to get money to women groups to enable them start farming and business enterprises.

Chepkuto called upon men to stop fighting women due to domestic responsibly but to support them so as they can raise the family together. She called upon both men and women to invest in both boys and girls so as to have an equal society.

The chairlady called upon women who fled from their home to return so that they can benefit from the program that will soon commence, noting that they have already started harvesting Irish potatoes and beans hence there is no more hunger in the area in the coming weeks.

Courtesy ; K. N. A