The Kisumu County Government has set up a committee to formulate policies geared towards ensuring protection of the girl-child.
The Education, Technical Training, Innovation and Social Services CEC, John Awiti said the committee which is composed of departmental directors will be tasked with formulating policies on how to protect the girl child at on all fronts.
Awiti said this during a briefing at his office after a meeting with committee members adding that some of the things they are looking at include gender based violence targeting the girl child.
Awiti said the girl child in Kisumu County was still prejudiced by cultural practices and beliefs which deny them a number of rights such as access to education.
The educationist said some are also subjected to early marriages while others were abused by close relatives and at places of learning. He said the initiative which is being sponsored by UNICEF aims at coming up with solutions to such problems.
Awiti said that some girls who have performed well in examinations were denied access to quality education in favour of their male counterparts. The County chairperson of ECD and vocational training Seth Okumu who is also a member said they will come up with a report and recommendations on the way forward.
Earlier Awiti urged youths to enroll in polytechnic, technical and vocational training centers to acquire skills that are relevant for the current job market.
He noted that many young people were unemployed because of pursuing courses at the universities or colleges that were not compatible with the current labour market trends.
“The youthful age is critical. You need to play your cards well to get it right in life failure to which you will face challenges in future,” opined the CEC.
There are 26 Vocational Training Centres (VTC) spread across the wards in Kisumu County with a capacity of 6,000 students but the current enrollment is 3,200 students.
Awiti said some VTCs in the county had boarding facilities to accommodate students who hail from other counties.
-By Fredrick Odiero
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