Home / National

Garissa team calls for breaking of cultural barriers to ensure gender equality in education

Garissa CECM for Gender, Youth and Culture Hawa Abdi Sahal during the International Women's Day celebrations at Saka Girls Secondary School in Balambala sub-County on March 8, 2024. (Photo: County Press)

By Issa Hussein | 09 Mar 2024

The Garissa CECM for Gender Hawa Abdi Sahal emphasised the importance of educating girls with knowledge and skills that she said will instil confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose.

The Garissa County Gender Technical Group on Friday called for collaborated efforts to break down cultural barriers that hinder women's empowerment in the region.

Led by the Garissa CECM for Gender, Youth and Culture Hawa Abdi Sahal during the International Women's Day celebrations at Saka Girls Secondary School in Balambala sub-County, the technical group comprising of various stakeholders from the government and non-governmental organisations raised concern over the widening gap of the gender disparity in the education sector.

Keep reading

The county executive member urged all stakeholders to remain committed to empowering girls and young women to overcome the cultural barriers that remained obstacles to achieving their dreams.

"Education is the cornerstone of empowerment. It is the key that unlocks doors of opportunity and transforms lives. Let's make sure the young access education to reduce the gender disparity," Hawa said.

She emphasised the importance of educating girls with knowledge and skills that she said will instil confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose.

Mandera women take part in a procession from the County Commissioner's office to the Mandera Town Hall to mark International Women's Day on March 8, 2024. (Photo: County Press)

Hawa called for the commitment to challenge gender stereotypes that were holding girls back from fulfilling their potential and exploring their talents in society.

"We must address the widening gap of gender disparity in the girl child education which continues to cast a bad picture during the release of national exams' results.

Meanwhile, in Mandera County, women led by the County Chief officer of Women Empowerment and Affirmative Action Farhiya Ali marked the day with a procession from the County Commissioner's office to the Mandera Town Hall.

Representatives from various organisations including Action Against Hunger, the World Food Programme, Women for Peace and Action for Sustainable Change attended the event.

During the event, the county official called for women's empowerment and an end to gender-based violence.