admin_county
October 11, 2019
County keen on youth empowerment
The County Government of Nakuru through the Gender Department is implementing people-focused programmes that are aimed at providing equal opportunities for men and women in the county.
The CECM for Youth, Gender, Culture, Sports and Social Services; Eng. Lucy Kariuki has urged women and girls in the County to embrace the initiatives.
She was speaking today during celebrations to mark the International Day of the Girl Child held at Mazembe grounds in Nakuru West Sub-County.
The CECM said the administration of H.E. Governor Lee Kinyanjui has initiated the programmes in order to empower girls as well as offer equal opportunity to both genders.
The theme for this year’s day was: Empower the girl child today for a better tomorrow.
“Embrace the initiatives we have come up with and we shall empower you for a brighter tomorrow said Eng. Kariuki.
She highlighted some of the efforts being expended by the County Government of Nakuru towards empowerment of girls.
The County is already in the process of coming up with the County Gender Policy that shall guide decision making on gender issues.
The Directorate of Gender is also working closely with the Executive and the County Assembly on the enactment of the Nakuru County Equality and Gender Empowerment Bill which is in the second reading.
In the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which includes early marriages, Female Genital Mutilation and defilement, a Technical Working Group has been formed and localized at the sub-county level in the form of sub-counties’ GBV clusters in nine sub-counties.
Land has already been identified at Gilgil Sub-County hospital and funds allocated for the establishment of a gender rescue centre.
In order to improve the health of girls and keep them in schools, the Department of Health under the programme, Nutrition Health Education and weekly Iron and Folic acid supplementation, 39,669 girls were reached with nutrition education and 34,015 were given supplements in the year 2017/2018.
In the year 2019/2020 117,000 girls have been targeted with both nutrition education and supplementation.
The County Bursary Committee ensures that in each financial year a third of all bursaries are given to girls in secondary schools, technical and vocational training institutes as well as middle-level colleges and universities.
Through the Ajira Digital Program, a significant number of girls have benefitted with training that has equipped them with skills to work online and earn a decent living.
In the year 2017/2018, 659 girls were enrolled in vocational training institutions and in 2018/2019, 706 were enrolled. Some of these girls are in full bursaries.
The Department of agriculture through NARIG-P project has identified and trained 15 girls in performing arts.
The artists shall be engaged in passing agricultural messages through roadshows and community barazas.
The event brought together a number of Civil Society Organizations involved in women empowerment work in the county and was graced by the County Director for Gender Alice Gekonde and her Assistant Selina Nkatha.
Officers from the National Government were also present and they included: the County Coordinator for Social Development Agnes Oriri, ACC Nakuru West, Nakuru West Sub-County Commander.
The area (Kaptembwa) MCA Peter Kajwang also was in attendance. He lauded the County Government of Nakuru under the leadership of H.E. Governor Lee Kinyanjui for well thought out initiatives for women empowerment.
Several Nakuru based hospitals participated in the event and they offered some tests on the ground free of charge.
The office of the Nakuru County First Lady donated sanitary towels to girls in the area.