Nominated Senator Esther ‘Essy’ Okenyuri has called on Kenyans to unite and bring to an end Gender Based Violence (GBV)
Speaking as she led Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA) in a sensitization campaign against GBV in Kisii county, Okenyuri said perpetrators of GBV against women and girls must be stopped.
The campaign was in line with the Global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
She insisted that it is the responsibility of all members of the society to speak against GBV calling on men to join and speak strong against it.
“With the upward spiralling of Gender Based Violence cases, it behoves us as a society to create awareness on these heinous acts which manifest in multiple ways in the society. Moreover, this fight calls for collaboration from both women and men lest women be a lone voice making it difficult to win.
“The universal colour for the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is orange, a bright colour symbolising a future free from violence against women and girls. Let us together unite to end impunity and hold perpetrators of Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls,” Okenyuri said.
The Senator added that the campaign was launched to remind the people of the importance of peace.
She said it reduces conflicts, which creates a good environment for children to go to school and for businesses to thrive.
“We have been witnessing Gender Based Violence (GBV) here and there and the effects are sometimes we have early marriages, sometimes people get hurt and sometimes even children fail to go to school and that is why we have come to launch this campaign to motivate our mothers, fathers, young women and male that it is very important to stay in peace because if we reduce these domestic conflicts, students can go to school and become professionals.
“Our mothers and fathers can do their business and support themselves and contribute to the national economy,” Okenyuri said.
The campaign organized by KYPA brought together key players including women, men and local administration across Kisii County to deliberate on the effective measures to take in combatting Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls.
