Parents in Samburu County have been urged to retain girls in school in a bid to fight harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
Addressing residents of Muruankai village in Samburu north sub county, Samburu County Gender Director in the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action Albert Wanjohi noted that harmful cultural practices such as FGM, child marriages and beading are still high in some parts of the County and called for constant community sensitisation.
Wanjohi pointed out that enrolling and retaining girls in schools is a way of shielding them from cultural vices and at the same time showing commitment to reducing the FGM prevalence rate which currently stands at 76 percent.
“Today we are also celebrating the milestones made in Samburu County in the fight against FGM and other harmful practices through community sensitisations on the 2021 Kisima declaration which emphasizes male engagements and raising awareness through various media platforms.” The director said.
Beverlyne Lelelit, spouse to Samburu governor, noted that Muruankai village is a hotbed for FGM and teenage pregnancy in the county and urged women to continue advising teenage girls against engaging in premarital sex.
“According to the Kenya 2022 Health Demographic Health Survey, Samburu County leads in teenage pregnancies and I urge all women to be anti-teenage pregnancy crusaders and sensitise our daughters in the interior parts of our county, “advised Mrs. Lelelit.
The residents were gathered in Muruankai village to celebrate the international women’s Day 2024 under the theme ‘Count her in. Invest in her. Accelerate progress.’
By Robert Githu
