Tharaka Nithi County, on October 11, 2023, hosted the national commemoration of the International Day of the Girl at the county headquarters in Kathwana.
The event, which drew attention and participation from various stakeholders, aimed to address critical issues such as ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and empowering girls.
The distinguished presence of Anti FGM Board -Kenya Chairperson, Ipato Surum Surum, marked the event’s significance as the day’s activities commenced with a spirited procession from the county government offices, winding its way to the county commissioner’s office through the bustling streets of Kathwana Town.
In her compelling speech, Chairperson Ipato Surum Surum emphasized the immense potential of celebrating the International Day of the Girl.
She underscored the importance of raising awareness about the challenges facing girls globally and addressing the rampant crimes against them.
The event sought to bridge the gender gap by providing access to education, promoting good health, ensuring dignity, recognition, and upholding their rights and freedoms.
Surum passionately expressed the need for the community to cherish and respect girls, acknowledging their pivotal role as the foundation of the future generation.
“Our girls are the lights of our lives, the hope of our nation, the pinnacle of humanity, and they must be treated as such,” she fervently stated.
The Chairperson called upon all stakeholders, including government partners, civil society organizations, philanthropists, individuals, the private sector, and opinion shapers, to invest their resources and efforts in the empowerment of the girl child.
Tharaka Nithi County was selected as the host for this year’s celebrations due to its unfortunate distinction as one of the 22 counties with a high prevalence of FGM, standing at 27%. Surum emphasized that although progress had been made, the aim was to drive this prevalence to zero.
FGM, she noted, remained one of the most harmful cultural practices that violated the rights of girls, and the Kenyan government was resolute in achieving zero tolerance for FGM.
According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2022, the prevalence of FGM had decreased from 21% in 2014 to 15% in 2022 among women aged 15-49.
This progress reinforced the urgency to collaborate with men and boys, the theme for 2023, “Invest in Girls: Our Leadership, Our Well-being.” This focus aimed to transform social and gender norms to bring an end to FGM.
Deputy Governor Wilson Nyaga Muisrael, representing Governor Muthomi Njuki, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in supporting and empowering girls. He highlighted the persistent barriers faced by many girls, including discrimination, child marriages, limited access to education, and gender-based violence.
Muisrael called for a concerted effort to enable girls to pursue their dreams and advocated for policies that protect them.
The county government had been proactive in advocating for equal opportunities for girls through programs such as sexual education and empowerment initiatives.
Woman Representative Susan Ngugi pointed out a significant challenge in the fight against FGM—the reluctance of law enforcers to comply with anti-FGM regulations and negative political interference within the county.
Ngugi stressed the need for a concerted effort to address these issues. She also highlighted the issue of girls dropping out of school and turning to early marriages due to a lack of access to sanitary pads, proposing that Woman Representatives oversee funds allocated for their procurement.
Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency Member of Parliament Patrick Munene emphasized the pivotal role of men and boys in eradicating FGM, underscoring their importance in reshaping societal norms.
Furthermore, Igambang’ombe Ward MCA Njeru Ing’ara challenged the County Government of Tharaka Nithi to allocate funding and support to organizations and groups actively involved in the fight against FGM.
Tharaka Nithi County’s hosting of the International Day of the Girl was a powerful testament to its commitment to ending harmful practices like FGM and empowering girls to become leaders of tomorrow, advocating for their rights and well-being.
The event brought together various stakeholders and leaders in a collective effort to drive positive change for girls in the region and beyond.
