Migori County has officially launched 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
In a groundbreaking initiative Monday, official campaigners against GBV, led by the County Director of Gender, Rev. Kenneth Oomo, joined forces with the Migori residents to help raise awareness to combat GBV.
The campaign aims to address the pressing issue of violence against both men and women and promote a safer and more favourable environment for all in the community.
The major types of GBV affecting families in Migori include domestic violence, sexual abuse cases like rape, and harmful cultural practices such as child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
“We are marking the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, an activity to champion the human rights of every individual in our society,” said Oomo.
The director said the reason for marking the start of 16 days of activism is to advance the continuous message of gender-based violence in order to reduce the vice.
On her part, the County Director of Gender and Social Services, Lillian Atieno, urged the residents to safeguard the rights and well-being of their children, women, and men to ensure that society is protected against GBV.
Atieno noted that the 16 days of activism will bring together all the partners in society with the aim of having a peaceful and free GBV community.
“We are advocating for a society where girls and women are not seen as subject to their male counterparts, a free society where both genders are treated equally and with respect,” she said.
Migori Youth President and Chair of 16 Days of Activism, Joseph Nyapete, said the period marks a very important event in the fight against GBV in the county.
Nyapete urged the local residents to be free to list some of the gender-based violence issues they have experienced or witnessed in society to help raise solutions for combating GBV.
“Gender-based violence does not only occur when a girl is raped or a woman is beaten. It may be a result of other violence. We are therefore urging the public to come out without any fear or favour in mentioning some of the atrocities of GBV,” he said.
Nyapete also explained that it was important for the general public to put the duty bearers to the task of elaborating on what they have done to address GBV in society.
He encouraged the public to participate in the 16 days of activism against GBV in their respective sub-counties to help eradicate the vice.
The awareness campaign will end on December 10 and will be observed in all 12 sub-counties of Migori County.
