At least 500 students from ten schools in Kisii and Nyamira counties have benefited from the annual Human Rights Education Programme sponsored by Amnesty International Kenya.
Speaking to the press at Kisii School on the outskirts of Kisii town, Amnesty International Board Member Charles Omote said the programme aimed at empowering young people in schools so that they are cognizant of human rights and become responsible future leaders who would uphold human rights.
Omote lauded the Ministry of Education for supporting the programme that benefits students who are members of Amnesty International on a yearly basis.
He added that the programme also plans to accommodate additional counties, including Kisumu and Homa Bay. “We want to have all our schools in Kenya become Human Rights Friendly Schools where human rights issues are taught, respected, and defended,” he said.
The Board Member also noted that one of Amnesty International Kenya’s offices is ending gender-based violence (GBV) in Kisii and Nyamira counties, which have continued to record high cases of rape, defilement, and property row due to one’s gender or economic status.
“We thought it wise to teach the young people about GBV so that when they are growing up, they can be good ambassadors who stand up for GBV victims and reduce such vices in our communities,” said Omote.
Further, he called for additional enrollment in the human rights education programme by various schools through applications for the same at the Amnesty International Kenya offices.
By Mercy Osongo and Scovia Ochieng
