CAS Hon. Shebesh Intensify End FGM Campaign in Taita Taveta County

Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Rachel Shebesh on Monday 20th held community barazas engaging women and elders of three villages that had been identified as hot spots for Female Genital Mutilation in Taita Taveta County namely; Mata, Kimala and Bura Ndogo.

This meetings were convened as a result of the issues that had emerged of a new trend that targets young girls as young as a week old baby girl being subjected to the harmful practice of FGM.

In her address to the residents, Hon. Rachel Shebesh affirmed that the law is clear and amplifies punitive obligations on violators. She reiterated that, all administrators and stakeholders have an obligation to ensure that the perpetrators of FGM are brought to book.

Taita Taveta County has an FGM prevalence rate of 22% among the 22 Hotspot counties where the vice is being practiced. Worrying has been the trend on the acts aforementioned.

“Female Genital Mutilation and any other form of Gender Based Violence can no longer be tolerated this time round, we must concentrate on empowering our girls by educating them. FGM must stop and the time is now,” said Hon. Shebesh.

The CAS also presented dignity kits donated by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to several girls during the barazas to sustain them during the COVID-19 period.

During her visit, Hon. Shebesh made stop overs to inspect the ongoing Kazi Mtaani programme at Voi Airstrip and Taveta town where she called on the young people under the programme to make good use of the earnings for their economic empowerment.

The CAS was accompanied by Taita Taveta Women Representative Hon. Lydia Haika, former Governor, H.E Samwel Mruttu, Anti-FGM Chairperson Agnes Pareiyo among other National and County officials.