Sabatia MP uses football to campaigns against gender-based violence

Sabatia Member of Parliament (MP) Clement Sloya has launched the Football Tournament aimed at raising awareness against cases of gender-based violence as the country observes 16 days of activism against any form of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies.

Speaking at Gaigedi Secondary School during the launch, the lawmaker said sport was chosen as a platform to nurture youths' talents and to create awareness in the community against the vice that is gender-based violence.

"As the county, we are observing 16 days against gender-based violence and we have seen our women, especially girls who have suffered in the hands of our very own men and that is why we have launched this tournament to raise awareness against the vice," said Sloya.

Sloya said that women tend to suffer the most during this festive season and the tournament will help to keep people busy.

"We are entering the festive season which has a lot of activities and it is good if we keep our youth and the elderly busy to engage in constructive activities, "he added.

Additionally, the lawmaker said the tournament is also aimed at reducing the number of young girls from early pregnancies.

The tournament will see local administrators led by chiefs attending the activity to educate and create awareness among people participating and those who are set to attend the football.

"We have closed schools and with the long holiday, our young girls become susceptible to early pregnancies and this tournament will help us to keep our school-going girls away from predators who are out to exploit them sexually hence early teenage pregnancies," said the lawmaker.

Sloya said that gender-based vices are common in rural areas, where people are not aware of the vices of gender-based violence.

"Most of our parents in rural areas are not well versed with vices of gender-based violence and through this tournament, we will be able to educate our parents and advise them to let their children attend and participate in the tournament, "said Sloya.

"Besides fighting gender-based violence we are also giving our youth a platform to showcase their talent and empower them economically because, at the end of the tournament, we will award winners in the men category with Sh100,000 and the fourth position with Sh20,000 while women winners will get Sh70,000 and Sh20,000 to the fourth position."

However, the legislators urged youth to maintain peace and order during the tournament which has attracted 62 teams and were given football kits, the tournament will see girls, boys, and the elderly face out, and the matches run from December 4th to 23rd.