Generation Equality Forum

Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia yesterday chaired an inaugural meeting of Generation Equality forum and the National Advisory Committee to deliberate on the action plan on eliminating all forms of Gender Based Violence including Female Genital Mutilation.

The objective of the meeting was to: Get to understand the Generation Equality Forum and its importance in driving the agenda for transformative change; Receive a progress report on the Status of the Generation Equality Forum at the global and national levels; Understand our roles within the leadership structure of the Generation Equality GBV Action Coalition; and Get consensus on rolling out of Generation Equality Forum in the Country.

The Beijing Platform for Action which was adopted by 189 governments committed to taking strategic, bold action in 12 critical areas of concern: poverty, education and training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment, and the girl child.

The Generation Equality campaign demands equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, health-care services that respond to their needs, and their equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life. 

The Cabinet Secretary commended the Government of Mexico and that of France together with UN Women for initiating the Generation Equality Forum given the importance of the initiative that seeks to accelerate the achievement of Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls, as envisioned in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019 re-affirmed his personal commitment and that of the Government of Kenya to provide leadership to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation which remains one of the most serious violations of the rights of women and girls.

She affirmed the Government commitment and position in the Generation Equality Forum Action Coalition on Gender Based Violence as a co-leader. 

By Brian Were