BY SHABAN OMAR
The Kwale County Government, in partnership with Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW) and other stakeholders, is developing Child Protection and Gender and Social Inclusion policies to enhance the protection of rights and promote equity.
The policies aim to safeguard the welfare of children under 18 years while ensuring that women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are empowered and provided with equal opportunities in socio-economic spaces.
According to Chakaya Ronald, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation for Kwale County, the proposed policies will focus on addressing issues such as gender-based violence, child abuse, and discrimination against marginalized groups.
Ronald said the policies also aim to create frameworks for effective resource allocation and advocate for equal access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for all residents.
“These frameworks will not only strengthen the county’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups but also allow us to allocate budgets and secure resources from partners to address critical issues like gender-based violence and child abuse,” he said.
Ronald spoke during the second day of a five-day public participation forum at Dzombo Ward in Lunga-Lunga constituency.
The public participation forums serve as a platform for residents to share their insights and contribute to the formulation of the two policies.
Ronald said that stakeholders, including local leaders, community members, and Civil Society Organizations, are actively involved to ensure the policies reflect the diverse needs and challenges of the Kwale people.
He said that the proposed policies aim to bridge the gap in protecting the rights of children, women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
He noted that for a significant period, the rights of marginalized groups have not been adequately prioritized, primarily due to insufficient resources and the absence of dedicated frameworks.
Ronald said with the new policies, the county will be in a position to establish specialized offices and recruit officers specifically tasked with addressing children’s rights and ensuring their protection.
He added that the measures will strengthen the county’s capacity to safeguard vulnerable groups and promote inclusivity.
“We have observed a lack of proper follow-up on matters concerning the protection of children’s rights. Through these proposed policies, there will be an office and a dedicated officer to ensure that children are adequately protected,” he said.
Ronald said that the Gender and Social Inclusion policy will also enhance the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, ensuring fair representation in leadership and decision-making processes.
He said that the county government has made great strides in community representation and empowerment programs targeting youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
However, he said that Kwale government is committed to do more to fully address existing gaps and achieve equitable participation for all.
He said that the Gender Act is already in place, and several individuals involved in cases of child abuse and gender-based violence (GBV) have faced consequences and are being dealt with in accordance with the law.
Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW) Project Officer Tatu Mjaka stated that the Kwale County gender and social inclusion policy aims to achieve gender equality through legislation, participation, representation, empowerment, and resource distribution.
She added that the policy will serve as a tool for efficient coordination of gender responsive programming and institutional capacity in the region.
Mjaka noted that the policies will drive better program development and provide clear affirmative guidelines for stakeholders, ensuring that efforts to promote inclusivity and equity are well-coordinated.
“These policies will also create a platform for the integration of other laws that strengthen gender equity and help curb GBV,” she said.
She added that they are also working with the community in Kwale, especially with Adolescent girls and Young women to push for advocate for equal rights and inclusion.
Currently, YSW is implementing Connect a Girl project in Kwale through funding from African Women Development Fund (AWDF), in partnership with Sauti ya Wanawake Pwani.
The project seeks to advocate for the protection and advancement of women and girls’ rights from sexual exploitation and violence.
A local Katiba Mkungu, praised the proposed policies, noting that they will help GBV victims receive the necessary attention and reintegration support during their recovery journey.
He added that once approved, the policies will create opportunities for capacity building and facilitate the establishment of rescue facilities to better support SGBV survivors.
Mkungu said that the policies will enhance the multisectoral approach to addressing GBV and child abuse, ensuring the prompt delivery of justice.
“As Community dialogue moderator under connect a girl, I feel l have a role to sensitize the community on this policy too,” he said.
YSW champion Gladys Mweri welcomed the two policies, noting that they align with the goals of their Connect a Girl project.
She sad that the policies will empower adolescent girls and young women, providing them with opportunities to secure equal participation in socio-economic activities.
