Stakeholders in Women Empowerment Sector praised for Mitigating GBV in West Pokot

Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Rachel Shebesh on Thursday 13th August, commended stakeholders working in women empowerment sector in West Pokot County for their role in mitigating Gender Based Violence.

Hon. Shebesh lauded the GBV program by World Vision in West Pokot county when she visited the Child Protection Unit at Kapenguria police station which is being supported by the Non-Governmental Organization.

The unit is acting as a safe house for young girls rescued from early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation in the County. West Pokot is among the 22 hotspot Counties where FGM is practiced.

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The Chief Administrative Secretary called on other state and non-state agencies to emulate the effort made by World Vision by coming on board to complement Government effort towards ensuring Gender Based Violence is minimized.

Addressing Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Hon. Shebesh reminded them that as the leaders on the ground, they carry the onus of implementing the Presidents Directive of ending FGM by 2022.

“It’s your role to ensure that no Female Genital Mutilation takes place within your jurisdiction; the law is clear and we must enforce it to ensure that we protect our girls from the vice.” said Hon. Shebesh.

West Pokot County Governor, H.E Prof. John Lonyangapuo who had earlier hosted Hon. Shebesh to discuss possible areas of collaboration between the Ministry of Public Service and Gender and the County Government said that he fully supports the President’s Directive and pledged his support towards working with Anti-FGM board to ensure that FGM is eradicated in West Pokot by 2022.

The Chief Administrative Secretary Inspected the Children Protection Unit at Kapenguria police station and also presided over Women Enterprise Fund cheques issuance worth over Ksh 6 Million to various groups in West Pokot County.

Hon. Shebesh was accompanied by the County Commissioner, Mr. Apollo Okello, County Women Representative Hon. Lilian Tomitom, and Anti-FGM Board Chairperson Mrs Agnes Pareyio among other National and County officials.