Vihiga County government in collaboration with Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) and other stakeholders, is working on policies to guide the implementation of laws on sexual and gender-based violence.
The County Executive Committee Member for Social Services, Sports and Culture Anne Desma said there was need to set clear and measurable targets for achieving the objective stipulated in the policies to ensure the rights of victims and children were protected.
She urged the stakeholders involved in the implementation process to coordinate their activities in sync to ensure the policies designed to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence were in practice.
The CEC made the remarks at SOSA Cottages in Gisambai sub-county, Vihiga County Wednesday.
“There is a disconnect between the Gender Department and other related sectors when it comes to gender-related activities,” she noted.
She said this could hinder efforts to achieve effective integration of gender perspectives hence the need to foster stronger collaboration to mainstream gender issues across all sectors,” she added.
She however raised concerns about the limited financial support for gender activities which greatly hinders the ability to implement gender programmes effectively.
On the other hand, the Director for Social Services and Gender Arthur Lisimba said cases of gender-based violence were on the rise hence the need to expedite the implementation process.
He emphasized the importance of having a gender-based recovery center to address the specific needs of survivors of gender-based violence, providing safe space, support services and framework for holistic healing and empowerment.
Betty Okero from the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Network called for more structured support for gender activities.
“There is a need to develop terms of reference for the Directorate of Gender that clearly define its roles and responsibilities within the implementation framework,” she said.
The Vihiga county launched the Anti-Gender Based Violence Policy on the 10th of December 2024.
By Rose Wasike and Walter Blessing
