Marsabit: Female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriages dominated views presented at the public hearing held at the Catholic conference hall as main contributors of violence meted against women and girls in Marsabit County.
According to Kenya News Agency, ignorance, poverty, and drug abuse also featured prominently as contributors of gender-based violence (GBV) and at times femicide. Residents expressed their frustrations to the Technical Working Group on gender-based violence, including femicide, during the public participation session held at the Catholic Conference Hall in Marsabit town. They stated that these widespread practices have robbed girls and women of their human dignity and violated their fundamental rights and freedoms.
The forum, attended by County Commissioner James Kamau, heard that these practices were deeply rooted in the culture of the local pastoralist communities, making it difficult to enforce laws enacted against the harmful practices. Technical Working Group team lead, Michael Kamau, acknowledged the urgent need for a concerted awareness campaign to educate locals about the outlawed customary practices and the laws passed to enforce them.
Ms. Nuria Gollo, CEO of Marsabit Women Advocacy and Development (MWADO), emphasized that despite efforts to combat FGM, child marriage, and abuse, challenges persist as communities often seek to resolve issues outside established legal frameworks. She added that over 80 percent of community members are unaware of cultural changes barring them from practicing certain customs, which also deny women rights to inheritance and access to land.
Participants proposed intensifying the fight against drug abuse, particularly among the youth, by law enforcement agencies to prevent the smuggling and sale of bhang and other substances from neighboring countries. The establishment of a rescue center for GBV victims was also suggested to provide protection and a healing environment while perpetrators are pursued by law.
The forum recommended that communities, often bound by a ‘collective culture’ of protecting their own and preferring out-of-court settlements, be enlightened on distinguishing between alternative justice systems and rule of law mechanisms. Participants suggested this would encourage residents to report GBV and femicide cases to authorities without fear of community reprisals.
The team also heard that the government should formulate ways to create job opportunities for youth, who are increasingly entering marriages without stable incomes, creating a fertile ground for GBV. ‘This will also help in addressing the problem of ‘Kula fare,’ a dependency syndrome among our youth,’ a participant noted.
Mr. Kariuki assured the participants, including religious leaders and civil society members, that their valuable views would be considered as the policy, legal, and institutional framework against GBV and femicide is reviewed. Marsabit County Executive Committee Member for Culture and Social Development Armara Galwab was also present.