Women leaders in Busia County have called for stronger community and government initiatives to curb rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and defilement in the region.

Led by Teso South MP Mary Emase, the leaders said children and women continue to bear the brunt of violence in their communities.

They spoke in Teso South Sub-County during the issuance of a new school bus to Father Okodoi Senior School and commissioning of two classrooms at St Brigit School.

Emase said cases of defilement and violence against women remained a concern, urging residents to protect children and report suspected perpetrators to the authorities. “Cases of defilement have increased alarmingly in this area. I have a girl who was raped in the morning while going to do her exam. She managed to study and got direct university entry, and I am taking care of her education,” said Emase.

She said women should not be subjected to violence in their homes, urging families to provide children with a safe environment in which they can pursue their education. “Let us protect our children from being abused and defiled so that they can be educated and empowered for a better future,” she urged.

Emase said the fight against GBV could not be left to leaders alone, urging residents to take responsibility by reporting cases and helping authorities apprehend suspects.

Kericho Women Representative Beatrice Kemei condemned cases of GBV, early pregnancies and violence against children, while calling on communities to avoid drug and substance abuse.

“As women leaders, we are condemning issues of GBV, early pregnancies and killing of our young girls. We want our women to be protected and not be beaten. For those couples experiencing disagreements, we urge that you seek peaceful ways of resolving your differences. This will help the young generation to understand ways of resolving conflict in marriages and hence build happy and loving families free from violence,” she said.

Trans Nzoia Woman Representative Lilian Siyoi also expressed concern over continued cases of defilement in Teso South, calling for firm action against perpetrators.

“Let us protect our children. Let your neighbours child be like your child and support them. Those men who have a character of defiling children should be punished thoroughly. Let our children get educated in a good environment,” said Siyoi.

She also condemned violence against women, saying such acts should not be tolerated in families.

Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed on her part called for an end to ethnic politics, saying communities should be given equal opportunities to participate in national leadership.

“We should no longer be engaging in ethnic politics. The importance of unity among our ethnic groups will drive our country ahead. We need to create an environment where every community gets equal opportunity and can occupy any position in the country,” she said.

The leaders also praised Dr. President William Ruto’s administration for development projects across the country and called for his re-election.

Eldas MP Mary Keitany cited the ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Mau-Rironi road, the Standard Gauge Railway and road and market projects in Busia, as some of the developments she attributed to the administration.

“The ongoing Mau-Rironi dual carriageway will come up to Malaba here in Busia. This means the many hours we used to spend on roads will not be there. The same is happening with the SGR. We have many roads and markets which are under construction in Busia because of our President,” said Keitany.

 by Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi