Homa Bay women leaders have called for concerted efforts to succeed in the fight against teen pregnancies and retention of girls in schools.
To make this work, Governor Gladys Wanga and woman representative Joyce Osogo have called for a multi-agency approach to tame the vice which has continued to thrive in the county.
Wanga said they are going to spearhead empowerment programs for school girls by giving information on danger of defilement.
“We are liaising with law enforcement agencies to ensure people who violate the sexual rights of girls are apprehended for legal measures. I call upon everyone to join hands so we win the war together,” she said.
The Governor spoke during a school girls’ empowerment programme dubbed Mama County Says organized by Osogo’s office at Mirogi Boys High School in Ndhiwa constituency.
Different school girls from all eight constituencies attended the event. Wanga said the fight against teen pregnancies requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the county.
Wanga said she will not spare anybody who violates sexual rights of minors in the county.
She emphasized giving young girls requisite protection to enable them acquire education.
On her side, Woman rep Osogo said they are committed to ensuring girls who dropped out of school due to teen pregnancies return to school.
She said the objective of the programme is to ensure girls are retained in schools.
“Such programmes are aimed at making girls acquire education. That’s why we’re supporting teen mothers to return to school,” Osogo aaded
Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi who also graced the event, urged girls and boys in schools to be determined.
“Let’s our children embrace the spirit of excellence as they pursue their studies,” she said.
Kisumu woman representative Ruth Odinga urged girl to be courageous in pursuing courses dealing in Mathematics and sciences.
“We want to see girls who become engineers and other science courses. Let girls not fear mathematics,” she said.
Machakos woman rep Joyce Kamene and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi also attended the event.
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey report reveals that teen pregnancies stand at 23.2 per cent in Homa Bay.
This is much higher compared to the national prevalence which is 14.8 per cent.
