Anti-FGM Board, Makueni County feted for enhancing gender equality

Anti-FGM Board CEO Bernadette Loloju speaks at a past event. Her organisation has, for the second year in a row, been recognised for its efforts in fighting outlawed cultural practices including Female Genital Mutilation.

Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Anti-FGM Board has, for the second year in a row, been recognised for its efforts in fighting outlawed cultural practices.
  • Other finalists were Kenya Power and Lighting Company and National Environment Management Authority, which came second and third respectively, at a gala dinner held in Diani, Kwale County, recently.

Anti-FGM Board has, for the second year in a row, been recognised for its efforts in fighting outlawed cultural practices including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Kenya Forum last week awarded the board for being the best government institution that showcased the best practice in implementing SDGs through projects that impact the community.

Other finalists were Kenya Power and Lighting Company and National Environment Management Authority, which came second and third respectively, at a gala dinner held in Diani, Kwale County, recently.

“We are delighted that for the second year in a row, we are winners of the SDGs Award-National Government Category for being the most outstanding agency that has showcased best practises in accelerating the implementation of SDGs in Kenya through initiatives that impact at community level,” the board’s statement reads in part.

The SDGs Kenya Awards recognises innovative entities in various sectors leading in attainment and implementation of the sustainable development goals.

Alternative rites

Principal Secretary (PS) in-charge of Planning Saitoti Torome, who presented the awards, hailed the Anti-FGM Board for coming up with strategies to end FGM and spearheading implementation of alternative rites of passage for girls.

Makueni was feted for demonstrating appropriate budget allocation towards the implementation of SDGs. The county won accolades last year, after it launched a safe house to shelter male and female survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

It became the first county to establish a 14-bed facility to host female and male survivors.

Safaricom won the best company that has mainstreamed SDGs in their business models, including those aimed at enhancing gender equality.

Kenya Breweries Limited and Darlberge were second and first runners up, respectively.

Safaricom is among two other organisations spearheading the Spot it, Stop it campaign, which aims to promote awareness on violence against children and advocate for change.

Innovative entities

The campaign, launched in Nairobi last month, seeks to raise awareness on how children can be safe both online and offline.

Dream Achievers Youth Organisation that builds the capacity of young men and women to respond to opportunities and improve their wellbeing were crowned winners in the civil society category.