A section of women leaders from Nyanza region have urged the Judiciary to mete out stiff penalties to sex offenders to deter would be offenders.
Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo, Homa Bay County Woman Representative Joyce Osogo and her Kisumu County counterpart Ruth Odinga said rising cases of defilement in the region have negatively impacted on the education of girls.
They noted that it was regrettable that Homa Bay was among the counties with the highest cases of teen pregnancies.
The legislators urged the courts to pass deterrent punishment to sex pests to enhance the fight against defilement and other forms of sexual offenses.
Speaking in Homa Bay town Monday, the leaders said there was need for a multidisciplinary approach in fighting sexual offenses.
“Defilement cases have continued to be witnessed despite efforts to bring culprits to book. Let the Judiciary pass rulings that can help the country fight the vice,” Ms Odhiambo said.
She condemned a recent incident in which a four-year-old school girl from Suba South constituency was defiled and had to undergo surgery at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital in Kisumu.
“It is puzzling that a man in his normal senses can injure a child to that extent. We are putting sex pests on notice,” Ms Odhiambo said.
Ms. Osogo said defilement is a serious impediment to girl child education. She said many defiled girls drop out of school or suspend their education after becoming pregnant.
She urged girls to report to authorities people who make sexual advances to them. “Premature sex is very dangerous since it can transmit diseases and interfere with education of the girl child. Let our girls say no to sex and report promoters,” Osogo said.
On her part, Ms. Odinga expressed concerns over teachers who have sex with school girls giving an example of a recent case in which a teacher went underground after allegedly defiling his student in one of the local schools.
“Teachers are like parents to the students and they should know that they are role models. It’s wrong to defile minors,” Odinga said.
She also encouraged girls to embrace science subjects.
Osogo said her office had set aside Sh2.5million for disbursement to over 400 needy students.
By Davis Langat
