By P, KNA
A new initiative dubbed Breaking Silence, Raising Voices (BSRV) project that will promote the rights of persons with disabilities and address gender based violence issues, has been launched in Makueni County.
The project, a partnership between the Wote Community Development Organization (WCDO) and Cheshire Disability Services Kenya (CDSK) will be implemented between 2026-2028.
It was unveiled officially by County Executive for Gender, Children, Culture and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni during a breakfast meeting held at a hotel in Wote town, Makueni Sub county.
Eng. Kyoni said that the county government was at the forefront in developing and implementing policies that will safeguard the rights and dignity of the person’s living with disabilities.
He said the partnership will enhance awareness, strengthen advocacy efforts and promote inclusivity especially for children and youths across the county.
“The county government has initiated many programmes, policies and legal for gender based violence frameworks that will be able to address some of the issues affecting persons with disabilities,” said Eng. Kyoni, while launching the project.
“This project will enhance awareness and also advocacy among community members to enable them know how to report issues of SGBV and minimize on such cases across the county,” he said.
The county executive welcomed the collaboration and lauded CDSK saying there was a need to have a work plan to enable the county government monitor its progress, even as the programme gets implemented.
On her part, Cecilia Mutava, the CEO Wote Community Development Association, said that her organization supports partners through grants and capacity building initiatives to enable them amplify the voices of persons with disabilities, especially in the fight against GBV.
Mutava said through this partnership, local communities will be empowered to enable them combat any stigma on disability and foster a more inclusive society, where every individual is heard and protected.
She disclosed that rampant GBV is the main reason why they have partnered with the county government to address some of the pertinent issues affecting children and youth in the county.
“We have partnered with the county government to make sure the voices of our children and youth with disabilities are heard to enable them live free from violence, while also safeguarding their rights,” said Mutava, adding, “The project is being implemented in Makueni and Isiolo Counties and will run for three years.”
Speaking at the same forum, Deputy County Commissioner George Lugo, attached to the County Commissioner’s office, called upon the civil society groups to supplement government efforts in fighting SGBV, so as to eradicate the vice that is impacting negatively on children, women and the youth.
Consequently, Lugo challenged the concerned organizations to use all the available strategies to ensure children and youths with disabilities are protected.
He further said the government will give them all the necessary support, besides providing coordination and guidance to address matters of disability and SGBV.
“I call upon the relevant institutions to play their role in amplifying voices of the victims, by employing various strategies to respond to issues affecting children and the youths with disabilities. The government will support you towards this end,” reiterated Lugo.
The participants were drawn from civil society groups, as well as county and national government officials dealing with gender and children issues.
The Programme Manager, Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, George Shimanyula also attended the function.