NAIKKARA: Principal Secretary in the State Department for Gender, Ms. Ann Wang’ombe, has called on the Maa community to abandon cultural practices that are detrimental to the progress of young girls, such as early marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Speaking at the launch of the ‘Big Dream to End Child Marriage’ initiative, Wang’ombe emphasized the need for societal change to enable girls to complete their education and achieve their potential.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wang’ombe highlighted that retrogressive cultural practices often result in girls being unable to finish school, subsequently leading to early marriages, FGM, and teenage pregnancies. She warned that individuals who subject children to such practices could face severe legal repercussions, as these practices are illegal.
Wang’ombe noted the significant impacts of early marriage, stating that it often results in girls being married before they are 15, which can lead to complications during childbirth and denies them the right
to a full education. She further explained that marrying at a young age hinders economic development for the girls, perpetuating a cycle of poverty within families.
The Principal Secretary urged girls to abstain from sexual relations to focus on their education, revealing that the government has implemented measures to support girls in staying in school, which includes providing sanitary towels.
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, who attended the event, acknowledged that FGM and early marriages remain major obstacles to education for Maa girls. He announced plans to increase bursaries for vulnerable children to ensure that no child is excluded from schooling, and personally committed to funding the education of any girl unable to afford it, with the aim of increasing female representation in higher education.
World Vision Country Director Gilbert Kamanga explained that the initiative, launched in 2019, has been implemented in several counties where child marriage is prevalent, with the goal of empowering girls
through increased access to education and economic opportunities.
The event was also attended by Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, Narok courts Principal Magistrate Phyllis Shinyanda, and Narok Gender Director Agnes Ng’eno.