Stakeholders call for joint efforts to protect, educate Isiolo County's girls

Calls for concerted efforts to address barriers to girl child education, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriage and drug abuse, dominated this year's commemoration of the International Day of the African Child in Isiolo County.

The celebrations were delayed by two days as June 16 coincided with the Islamic Eid-ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), which the government declared a holiday.

Speakers at the event lamented how poverty, retrogressive cultures and insecurity continued to hinder girls' access to quality education in the region.

Isiolo Civil Society Network Chairperson Molu Tepo issues his speech during the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child in Isiolo County on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu/EV)

County Civil Society Network Chairperson Molu Tepo said elders, community leaders and authorities must collaborate to rein in parents abetting FGM, which exposes the girls to many health and other complications.

The government, Tepo said, must ensure schools that closed due to insecurity are reopened to enhance access to education.

"It is only through education that a girl in Isiolo can be on par with one in Nairobi or other counties. Education remains the surest mode of economic empowerment for girls in a county like ours, which has faced marginalisation for a long time," he said.

Molu, also the executive director of the Merti Integrated Development Programme, further implored the county and national governments to inject more resources into the education sector to protect the young generation's future.

Participants are pictured during the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child in Isiolo County on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu/EV)

Fred Maingi, working at the Child Development Centre at the local Methodist Church of Kenya, which supports children from poor families, stressed the need to also support children with disabilities and orphans in realising their dreams.

"The majority of schools do not have adequate facilities to support children living with disabilities, which makes them feel unwanted and drop out. Orphans, too, are not adequately supported," he said.

Talks on drug and substance indulgence among school-going children were also featured at the event held at the Child Welfare Society Kenya offices in Isiolo.

"We must upscale efforts to eradicate drugs in Isiolo because they are contributing to school dropout and ruining the future of the children," Maingi said, further lamenting that many actors had focused on girls, neglecting the boys.

Participants are pictured during the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child in Isiolo County on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu/EV)

Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Musango said the government would rein in parents whose children of school-going age were not enrolled in any institution.

"They (parents) must take the education of their children seriously and ensure they are not lured into drugs and crime but that they transit to the highest level," Musango said.

He also warned parents against child labour, saying those found culpable would be ruthlessly dealt with.

Inadequate access to sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools, which makes it hard for the girls to manage their menstrual hygiene, as well as period shame and stigma, were also cited as impediments to the empowerment of girls.

The International Day of the African Child honours young students who participated in the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, protesting against the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their language. More than 100 people were killed and at least 1,000 injured.

The day also seeks to raise awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.

This year's theme was Education for All Children in Africa; The Time is Now.