Official launch of End FGM by 2022 Campaign in Samburu County

Official launch of End FGM by 2022 Campaign in Samburu County

Official launch of End FGM by 2022 Campaign in Samburu County

Chief Administrative Secretary, Hon. Rachel Shebesh on 1st October, 2020 led Anti-FGM partners together with other National and County Government leaders at the official launch of H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to End FGM by 2022 at Allamano multipurpose grounds, Samburu County.

Hon. Rachel Shebesh called on women practicing FGM to surrender the practice and apply for Affirmative Action Funds to develop enterprises to economically empower themselves.

The Chief Administrative Secretary pledged full support from the Ministry to the Anti-FGM partners to ensure that the goal to end the vice is achieved.

“We have a responsibility as Government to protect our women and girls from the harmful practice and we must work towards this goal to eradicate FGM in Kenya for good,” she said.

Hon. Shebesh presided over the disbursement of Affirmative Action Funds from Women Enterprise Fund, Uwezo Fund and Youth Enterprise Fund worth over Ksh.18 million to various women, youth and Persons with Disabilities groups in Samburu County.

She urged the beneficiary groups to invest their loans in profit making enterprises in order to empower themselves economically.

Later on, Hon. Shebesh toured some of the successful businesses being ran by the beneficiaries of Affirmative Action Funds in Samburu County.

On his part, Chief Administrative Secretary for Ministry of Labour and Social Services, Hon. Patrick Ole Ntutu noted that Samburu community has a good culture of protecting their homesteads and urged the residents to protect women and girls from being subjected to harmful practices such as FGM in the same way.

Samburu cultural and religious leaders agreed to support H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commitment to end FGM by 2022 and pledged to find an alternative rite of passage for their women and girls.

Leaders present at the launch included Deputy Governor Samburu County Julius Leseeto, Samburu County Women Rep Hon. Maison Leshoomo, Uwezo Fund Chairperson Prof. Turop Losenge and CEO Mr. Peter Lengapiani, Anti-FGM Board Chairperson Agnes Pareiyo and CEO Bernadette Loloju Women Enterprise Fund CEO Eng. Charles Mwirigi among other National and County officials.

By Jacqueline Kirimi

Mopsyga

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