Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary (PS) Ann Wang’ombe has urged parents to guide their children in an effort to curb the increasing cases of gender-based violence.
Wang’ombe regretted that lately GBV has claimed the lives of many girls and women and advised, “Let’s continuously speak to our girls so that they can also learn how to have confidence in themselves. They can speak out because their voices matter. We need to bring up girls who are confident, girls who are courageous, girls who can say a big no and a no that can be listened to.”
The PS, who was speaking during a Thanksgiving ceremony at Ngaru Girls High School, Kirinyaga, said the worst form of GBV is femicide, as most of the reported cases are resulting from intimate relationships, sometimes a wife and a husband, a girlfriend and a boyfriend.
She therefore challenged parents to be watchful and at all times know the whereabouts of their children and the character of those they entrust them to.
“Let us take care of our young girls, the daughters that we have at home. I do not want you to trust that uncle of that child. I do not want you to trust that brother of yours. I do not want to trust your neighbour with your baby girl,” she advised.
Wang’ombe who was the chief guest, noted that GBV is a societal problem that the government alone cannot solve. “This is not a battle that the government can fight alone. This is a societal problem. Let us all come together: the church, the parents, the schools’ administration, ourselves, and development partners—everybody. Let’s fight this battle together,” she emphasized.
She clarified that GVB is not just about girls and women but also caters to the welfare of boys and men but regretted that global statistics indicate that girls are still down and underprivileged, hence more programs for the girl child.
She encouraged the students of Ngaru Girls to put in extra effort and prepare for the challenges ahead in the process, making a difference in their lives and the world, noting, “Your education is not just about textbooks and exams; it is about preparing yourselves to navigate the world and make a difference. I believe in each one of you and I am excited to see the incredible contributions that you will certainly make in this society.”
The school managed to send 55 students to university as per the last year’s KCSE results.
By Mutai Kipngetich
