By Betty Luke
Lobby groups in Isiolo have resolved to collaborate in eradicating Gender Based Violence (GBV) that is on the rise in the region.
Ten groups working to reduce incidents of violence, through support by Plan International, are working towards ensuring sustainable solutions to address myriad issues that mainly affect women and girls across the county.
The organizations include the Horn of Africa Institute, Isiolo Gender Watch (IGW), Sky Odha Women group, Ever ready Grassroot Network and Isiolo Advocacy Network.
IGW Executive Director Grace Lolim said though each of the organizations had made significant strides in the fight, a lot of work was remaining and would only be achieved through increased and sustained partnerships.
“Organisations have been undertaking individual efforts based on available resources but our coming together will offer us an opportunity to capitalize on each other’s strength and address issues affecting specific communities in the region,” she said.
Plan International’s Child Rights and Safeguarding officer Faith Omondi noted ending violence was a collective responsibility and that working together was the surest approach to achieving success.
“The only realistic solution to violence is concerted effort. When we work together we are likely to achieve more and better results compared to when everyone is operating on their own,” she said during a procession to create awareness on the effects of violence against women in Burat, Bulapesa and Ngaremara wards.
According to the official, the movement intends to ensure sustained conversations on GBV while also supporting communities come up with homegrown solutions to the diverse issues bedeviling them.
She reiterated the organization’s commitment to end harmful cultural practices like early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that she termed as not just violence but human rights violations.
“We are looking forward to getting to a point where violence is no longer part of our communities. We hope to ensure that all human beings live in a world where their rights are respected,” added Ms Omondi.
Eveready Grassroots Chairperson Habiba Mohammed lamented increased incidents of violence against men adding that through the new collaborations, survivors will be able to access help with ease.
Her sentiments were echoed by Sky Odha Women group representative Hassan Halakhe who wooed men to speak up whenever their rights were violated.
“There is a significant number of men who are survivors of violence but due to the stigma, only a few of them open up. Failure to open up has denied many of them an opportunity to pursue justice,” added Mr Halakhe.
Horn of Africa Institute’s Paskalia Ogutu said that through the newly found collaboration, they would continually sensitize the public on county gender policy to ensure they understand existing systems for addressing various vices.
Ms Ogutu said focus would be at the grassroots where retrogressive cultures remain rife due to illiteracy.
The new development comes just after this year’s 16days of activism against GBV whose theme, Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls, called for meaningful collaborations to achieve the goal.
