A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Plan International Kenya, has began a three day training of practicing journalists aimed at creating awareness on child rights protection in Homa Bay County.
The training intends to incorporate media practitioners to help in creating an enabling environment in which young children, especially girls actively participate in decision making on issues that affect them in the society.
A three day training workshop comes amid the current numerous cases of defilement, early pregnancies and school drop outs in the county ranking the county at position two with about 38 per cent nationally.
Speaking to the press, the Program Officer with the Organizations, Everlyne Dede said there is need for the media to assist in exposing those people who defiled young girls.
Dede regretted that most parents fear going to report cases of defilement to the relevant authorities.
She also said that in case they report they will not be willing to attend court proceedings to completion.
While on Ndhiwa Sub County, the Children’s Officer, John Kabasa said the area is still leading in child abuse in the region and called on all stakeholders to address the vice.
The training has also brought together children departmental heads from Homa-Bay Town, Ndhiwa and Rangwe constituencies, where cases of sexual abuse are rampant, so as to enhance child participation projects in the county to enable children make decisions that serve best of their interests.
By Davis Langat
