Mombasa: The European Union ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, has announced a significant investment by the EU in combating Gender Based Violence (GBV) with a particular focus on eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which she identified as a major hindrance to the country’s progress.
According to Kenya News Agency, the EU has been actively engaging communities through dialogues with elders and youth to shift perceptions about FGM. This initiative includes the use of caravans named ‘Born Perfect’, which are employed by frontline activists to travel through villages, persuading residents of the obsolescence of FGM in modern society.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the governor in Iten, Ambassador Geiger emphasized the necessity of community engagement, noting that although FGM is illegal in Kenya, legal measures alone are insufficient to alter entrenched cultural norms.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Kenya Deputy Representative, Pilar de la Corte Molina, highlighted discussions with athletes regarding GBV, acknowledging that despite the establishment of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for training camps, numerous challenges remain. “We are happy to have contributed to a better training environment but we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that athletes can thrive and focus on their training without being worried of being harassed,” she stated.
Culture, the Arts, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary, Hannah Cheptumo, reported that 30 percent of women aged 15-49 years have encountered GBV in the county. She affirmed the government’s commitment to collaborate with all partners to tackle this issue.
Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek pledged that the county will ensure compliance with SOPs in all training camps and regulate coaches by mandating registration and certification. She also mentioned plans to empower athletes with legal education to better understand contract terms.
Prof. Cheserek revealed that the county is home to 4,000-5,000 athletes, both local and international. She pointed out the lack of a government-owned training facility as a challenge for emerging athletes seeking accommodation and training opportunities.
