Chiefs in Bungoma are spearheading the fight against rampant Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and teenage pregnancy in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, the area Chief of Kibabii Geoffrey Khaemba lauded the Kenya-Finland bilateral programme and the County department of gender for organizing training for the chiefs saying that it has taught them how to handle GBV cases in the community.
“The sensitization meeting was facilitated by the Kenya Finland bilateral programme and the county gender department,” he mentioned.
Additionally, Khaemba revealed that teenage pregnancy cases are high in the County calling on the non- governmental organizations to intervene and fight the vices in the region.
He also decried the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the parts of Mt Elgon attributing it to cultural beliefs.
“In the beginning of this year, Bungoma, Kilifi and Samburu Counties signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Finland that will see the counties receive Sh700 million towards prevention of gender based violence in the region,” the Chief stated.
He also noted that the signing was officiated by the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa.
Khaemba further highlighted that the three-year bilateral programme was aimed at strengthening, preventing and responding to GBV incidents in the three counties.
He also mentioned that according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 report, Bungoma County takes the lead in Gender Based Violence cases at 60% and also leads in teenage pregnancies.
The County adolescent Sexual reproductive health coordinator Jesse Wafula said that there are high numbers of new infections of HIV/AIDS adding that in the past four months Bungoma has recorded 1,500 new HIV/AIDS cases.
He also added that issues of LGBTQ are on the rise in Bungoma revealing that according to the recent survey by the ministry of health (MOH) it indicated that 1,910 young men between the ages of 15-19 are involved in LGBTQ.
By Tony Wafula
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