The Nandi Central Deputy County Commissioner Mr Obed Mose has affirmed that there’s need for a multi-agency approach to address gender issues in the county.
Addressing members of the gender steering committee Thursday during the launch of the county gender sector working group, Mose said that gender issues cut across and thus required concerted efforts from both the state and non-state actors.
“To address these issues, we need teamwork from my office, health, the police, ODPP, children’s, gender, social services, departments, non-governmental organizations, and civil societies among others,” stated Mose.
Emily Amlagu, an officer at the state department for gender who represented Gender PS Prof. Colleta Suda said the committee launched should be vibrant and come up with a framework to ensure the intergovernmental consultative framework on gender issues is operationalized.
“The thematic areas to be looked into are gender based violence, socio economic empowerment and financial inclusion,” explained Amlagu. “Other areas are women in leadership and decision making and women in peace building and conflict resolutions,” she added.
Nandi County Gender Officer, George Ondongo echoed the sentiments made by various speakers and maintaining that issues of gender equality and women empowerment required a holistic approach for effectiveness.
Ondongo however regretted that residents shied away from relaying information on gender issues to his office forcing him to rely on the police and the courts on matters gender. “In matters GBV or defilement the victims tend to negotiate at family level than reporting them to the office for consideration,” he regretted.
by Bethsheba Abuya
