Gender stakeholders in Narok County have launched a Gender policy that will protect the interest of the minority groups in the county.
Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde who presided over the launch said the policy is a big plus to the residents as the vulnerable groups like people living with disability, women, and youth will be included in all government initiatives.
The policy is expected to be tabled in the county assembly where the Members of the County assembly will debate it before it is enacted to be law.
Masinde called on all the residents to read and understand what the policy contains so that they can give their inputs and understand their rights.
The function was held at the William Ole Ntimama stadium and brought together different stakeholders among them Members of County Assembly, women groups, government officials, Non-Governmental organisations and religious leaders.
Ms Christine Lemain, the chair, Gender committee in the County Assembly said the policy is a big plus to women as they will get a chance to participate in the decision making and development of the county.
“The women are not flower girls in the assembly. We are very important because we have to speak issues affecting women, which are many, in the assembly,” she said.
The Nominated MCA reminded that FGM is a crime in the county saying the women who will engage in the retrogressive practice will risk being arrested and prosecuted.
“We want to make it open in this county that FGM, early marriages and child labour are crime in this county. These are some of the issues the police is addressing,” she said.
Narok Executive Member in Charge of Education, Youth and Gender Cecilia Wepali lauded the NGOs that have been in the forefront of developing the policy that will benefit the Narok residents.
She asked women to vie for political seats and compete for other jobs available so that they too can participate in the development of the Nation.
Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairlady Agnes Nkowua asked the stakeholders not to forget the boy child saying empowering a girl too much demeans the boy child.
“We have seen the boy child engaging in drugs and bad practices because most of the focus has been shifted to the girl child. The policy we are launching today addresses all these issues,” she said.
Since the onset of devolution in the year 2013, Narok County has had only the Women Representative elected as a woman, all other elective positions are normally taken by men.
By Ann Salaton
