By Betty Luke
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for intensified efforts in safeguarding the rights of girls and women against harmful cultural practices of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
Speaking in Isiolo on Friday, Gachagua decried numerous challenges girls in the Arid and Semi Arid region face which makes them lag behind.
“FGM triggers early marriage and deprives the girls of their childhood as they start a prolonged miserable adult life, which they are not ready for. They are ready for school, not marriage. Girls are children, not mothers. They must be in school,” DP Gachagua noted.
Mr Gachagua called on the national government administrators across the country to team up and intensify efforts to end the practices that were against the rights and freedom of girls and women.
“I want to call upon all the national government administrators in and outside Isiolo to team up with the county government officers in implementing measures that are in place to support our girls,” he added.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure access to education for every child noting that education reduces FGM in girls by up to 89% while Secondary education, reduces teenage pregnancy from 38% to about 5%.
The DP spoke at a fundraiser aimed to support the construction of a modern Library and a dormitory for Isiolo Girls High School, the county’s sole national school.
His sentiments were echoed by Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya who noted that improvement of the infrastructure at the school would greatly impact learners and therefore elevate the school’s performance.
“Isiolo Girls is not only a learning center but also a safe space for girls at risk of FGM, early marriage and other vices. Supporting the school is equal to supporting hundreds of girls who could be at risk while at home,” Ms Mumina who is among the school’s alumnae said.
Other leaders present were Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal, MPs Geoffrey Kiringa (Mbeere North), Jane Kagiri (Woman Representative, Laikipia), Muthoni Marangu (Woman Representative, Lamu), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua Woman Representative), Dido Raso (Saku) among others.
