Girls benefit from mentorship drive to curb defilement cases
Nyanza
By
James Omoro
| Aug 22, 2024
An organisation, Champions for Change Youth Network in partnership with Plan International Kenya has rolled out a mentorship programme to curb defilement cases in Homa Bay county.
The programme targets at least 200 adolescent school girls and aims to enlighten them on child rights violations.
The organisation founder Everline Atieno said they are molding school girls to overcome risks of defilement.
Speaking during a mentorship at Rambusi Primary School in Ndhiwa Sub-county, Atieno said the talks are aimed at impacting positively the lives of girls in the county.
The mentorship programme targets parts of the county with a high prevalence of girls’ sexual rights violations.
READ MORE
Safaricom braces for showdown with KRA on data demand
Safaricom posts Sh48b profit amid regulatory headwinds
How new tax proposals offer relief to Kenyans
Mudavadi asks Joho to withdraw new maritime regulations
KRA system failure delays export of tea worth Sh2.9 billion
Treasury CS spells out plans to lay ground for steady economic growth
MPs raise concerns over KRA's plan to monitor phones in tax compliance drive
Report shows Africa makes strides toward gender equality, but challenges remain
Government advocates for 'Buy Kenya-Build Kenya' at construction expo
“Children from Ndhiwa and Rangwe sub-counties mostly fall victim to sexual rights violations and other forms of abuse according to data from the Children Services Department,” Atieno said.
Homa Bay has one of the highest cases of defilement which has also been blamed for teen pregnancies.
According to the latest Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the defilement rate stands at 23.2 per cent in Homa Bay county.
The mentorship programme is undertaken at various schools.
The officer in charge of child protection at Plan International Kenya, Joseph Mwita, said the exercise is aimed at enabling the girls to have a bright future.
"This exercise improves the skills and knowledge of the girls to enable them to make the right decisions which can impact their lives," Mwita said.
Homa Bay Children Services Officer Joseph Otieno warned that anybody found violating a children’s sexual rights will face legal action.
“Members of the community should know the consequences of child rights violations. Let people stop violating the rights of children,” Otieno said.
The acting Chief of North Kanyamwa Location Chief Kenneth Ogutu told parents to take a leading role in molding the behaviour of their children.
The girls were given sanitary towels, soap and panties in efforts to ensure menstrual hygiene.