Well-wishers donate Covid-19 gifts to women

Girls and women in 23 constituencies are set to benefit from food and non-food items.

Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia said distribution of the items will be done to the most vulnerable families with special focus on women.

The donation, which include dignity kits, sanitizers and face masks were made by Kenya Pipeline, National Youth Service (NYS), United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Women Enterprise Fund and Uwezo Fund.

During the handover ceremony of the items at the National Youth Service (NYS) Headquarters in Ruaraka, Prof Kobia said women MPs have been entrusted with the distribution of the items in their respective constituencies.

The CS lauded women leaders for providing support to women and girls who are faced with the crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic.

VULNERABLE GROUPS

She noted that the government has announced policy measures including establishment of Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Programme, which targets vulnerable groups and called on women leaders to take action to cushion and protect women and girls.

“The caring role in society falls upon us as women and mothers. Women are the primary caregivers to communities and families in time of crisis,” said Kobia.

Prof Kobia commended President Uhuru Kenyatta for directing action on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the rising cases of teenage pregnancies, saying it will make the domestic space safer for all, including women and girls.

Last Monday, the President directed the National Crime Research Centre to probe the increasing cases of gender-based violence since March.

“I am concerned by increasing tensions within our homes. Cases of Gender Based Violence have increased, mental health issues have worsened, and instances of teenage pregnancy have escalated,” said the President.

He also pointed out the worrying number of teenage pregnancies and violations of children’s rights that have been reported.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FUND

The President appealed to social institutions such as religious institutions to be vigilant and help put an end to these incidents.

He ordered the National Crime Research Centre to prepare an advisory for security agencies on action that can be taken in the prosecution of perpetrators within 30 days.

Prof Kobia further said her ministry, through the Affirmative Action Fund, has fast-tracked release of funds to cushion women enterprises since March, where Sh694 million loans have been processed for the Women Enterprise Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

“We as women leaders are here to take targeted action that will further cushion and protect women and girls at this time when they are most vulnerable. I am encouraged that we are able to pull together as government, non-State actors and the private sector to defeat this pandemic,” she said.

She added that when working in solidarity, they can provide the needed leadership and support as women leaders.

Kandara MP Alice Wahome, who received the donations on behalf of women parliamentarians, said they must put their political differences aside when it comes to empowering women in the society.

“The government should have a solid way of dealing with issues such as SGBV, teenage pregnancies and other concerns that have been rampant in our society even as it looks into better ways of empowering women to mitigate the adverse effects of coronavirus,” said Ms Wahome.

Those who attended included Gender CAS Rachel Shebesh, NYS Director General Matilda Sakwa, UN Women Representative Ann Mutavati, NGAAF Chairperson Prof Wanjiku Kabira and Women Enterprise Fund Chairperson Njoki Kahia.

Constituencies that will benefit from the donations include Kitui South, Laikipia North, Gilgil, Rangwe, Kobondo Kasipul, Kitui West, Kandara, Maragua, Kasarani, Gatundu North, Njoro, Malindi, Kajiado East, Likoni, Samburu West, Kibwezi East, Kigumo, Ijara and Suba North.