GOVERNOR’S PRESS UNIT
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has called for concerted efforts in empowering woken into leadership positions.
Speaking at Siritamu hotel in Bungoma town while launching the women manifesto, Lusaka affirmed that women play a critical role in the society but they have been sidelined in leadership roles through male chauvinism.
Governor Ken Lusaka
The theme is of the manifesto is “Women empowerment in leadership”.
A Manifesto is a political document. It is a tool for lobbying and advocacy that Civil society, non-state- actors can use to monitor and call for accountability from the government.
“The purpose of this Manifesto is to specifically stipulate women’s demands, which when met, will encourage and ensure women’s advancement, involvement, and participation in leadership and county governance processes in Bungoma,” said Lusaka.
It also deals early marriages and teenage pregnancy and child labor, women’s economic empowerment (access to financial resources, business loans and credit facilities, employment) , access to education and retention of girls through bursaries and scholarships, menstrual hygiene management among others are tackled in the Manifesto.
The County Government has adopted practical steps and initiatives regarding teenage pregnancy and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).
“These among others include; Civic Education and Public Sensitization on SGBV, development of a Draft Gender Policy, Revitalization of the Gender Technical Working Committees at county and sub county levels,” he said.
Gender CECM Agnes Wachie
The Manifesto also features Bungoma Women Empowerment Fund, fight against Female Genital Mutilation and Training of Community Opinion Leaders and Gender Allies in the County in collaboration with the Finland Embassy.
“The County has also been supporting and facilitating the 16 Days of Campaign against SGBV under the global Theme “UNITE”, launch of Tournament ( Governor Lusaka Cup) dubbed “sakata ball epuka boli” aimed at nurturing talents and curbing teenage pregnancies in the County,” he said.
Lusaka added, “The County Government of Bungoma is currently formulating appropriate gender responsive policies, legislations and regulations across the departments that will promote women’s economic empowerment, meaningful participation and representation of women in County planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of all development programmes and projects at all levels,”.
He said that as a County Government they will ensure implementation of the priority thematic areas stipulated in the Bungoma CIDP 2023-2027 and Bungoma Women’s Manifesto.
“This is part of our holistic strategies for promoting adequate and quality representation and participation of women in county governance, leadership and development processes as well as improving the quality of life for all County residents,” he said.
He added, “I call upon Women of Bungoma to overcome their differences and promote unity of purpose in diversity and should therefore use this Manifesto as a lobbying and advocacy document for championing equitable representation of women and men in all County leadership, governance and development processes,”.
The county boss noted that the implementation of the Bungoma Women’s Manifesto will require sacrifice, hard work and determination.
“I am confident that the residents of Bungoma and our development stakeholders and partners will surmount these challenges in order to make the county competitive and prosperous where every person enjoy a high quality of life in a sustainable environment,” he said.
Lusaka pointed out that they will be holding a County Annual Women Day to provide an opportunity to stock and audit the implementation of the Manifesto by our County Government.
The County ministry of Gender, culture, youth and sports has collaborated with Eco network Africa, Irish embassy and UN women
Therefore, then, a Manifesto becomes a tool for seeking political action. It is a blue print for an active and vibrant women’s movement.
It sets the women’s agenda in all social, economic, cultural and political life.The Manifesto is a direct result of concern about the historical injustice and insufficient attention given to critical issues affecting women.
It is also a result of concern about the under-representation of women in politics, policy and decision-making levels and public life in general.
The aim of this Manifesto is therefore to address pertinent issues, raise questions and concerns for women while providing a platform of a common set of demands for the achievement of gender equality and equity and sustainable national development.
It also aims at providing a broad but comprehensive framework for negotiations with the government in regard to policy and legislation.
“This Manifesto is facilitative but not conclusive, it leaves room for exploratory work, while addressing issues of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights ( Adolescent and youth) , Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) including rape, defilement, incest, sexual harassment,” he said.
The Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany on her part, admitted that women in the county are facing challenges in their day to day activities calling for a new and more dedicated approach to overcome them.
She called on the partners present for their support and partnership towards securing the future of the women and girlchild buy supporting them with sanitary pads and other hygiene stuff.
“To Eradicate Poverty, Ignorance and Disease. Since independence despite marginal improvement the highest number of people in extreme poverty, lack of access to proper education and health care services are women and girls. The report speaks of 69% under extreme poverty in the county which should not be acceptable currently,”
Gender CECM Agnes Wachie, Partners; UN Women and Irish Aid, Echo Network Africa and other leaders were present.
