This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On August 6, 2020, a campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV), teenage pregnancies, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and early marriages was launched in 16 villages across Nakuru and Baringo counties.
The initiative, dubbed Jukumu Langu Project under Wajibu Wetu Programme, was rolled out by Dandelion Africa, a community-based organization, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior.
Through the programme, 250 members of Nyumba Kumi clusters have been engaged in sensitization initiatives aimed at bringing down outdated cultural practices that entrench these vices.
Project Director Ruth Nderitu said chiefs and village elders have also been sensitized against settling defilement cases through 'Kangaroo' courts, which compromise justice to the disadvantage of affected girls.
She emphasized that Dandelion Africa is using vernacular radio stations, drama, and theatre to enhance knowledge on GBV and FGM.
“Elders involved in mediation in these villages have been trained on basic human rights as settling some matters locally denies women, men, and young girls and boys justice,” said Nderitu.
