Community Based Organisations (CBOs) championing for human rights in Kibra Constituency have been commended for their efforts in protecting the vulnerable and the less fortunate in the informal settlements.
This was the expression of the foreign dignitaries who paid a visit to Mchanganyiko CBO in Kibra on Friday to share ideas on protection of human rights.
The delegation of ministers from various African countries held a consultative forum with founders and members of Mchanganyiko and other organisations with a similar agenda.
Mchanganyiko is a community based organisation that rescues children, women and men who have undergone gender-based violence including rape, defilement, neglect and psycho-social issues.
Those present included Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection in Ghana John Alexander Ackon, Commissioner of Gender and Women Affairs in Uganda Kyasiimire Elizabeth, Stella Kitonga, Personal Assistant of Nairobi Women Representative, and representatives from the Ministry of Devolution and Planning.
Speaking while assessing the situation of GBV in informal settlements in Kenya in comparison to Ghana, Ackon expressed delight in policies put in place in regard to protection of people whose rights are violated.
“It is a commendable job that Mchanganyiko and other organisations are doing to protect the children and women from violence such as rape. Actually, what you do here is what we do in Ghana and for sure this is even more interesting because you are self-reliant and it is out of passion,” said the minister.
He, however, challenged the CBOs to work more on the measures that can help in reduction of GBV by eliminating the culture of violation of rights.
“What is also important is how we can find solutions to these problems before they can escalate rather than being reactive once they occur. In Ghana, the community collaborates with local leaders to prevent gender based violence before it gets out of hand.”
Informal communities have also been called upon to help in reporting cases of female genital mutilation which are now carried out secretly by those who still want to exercise the ‘rite of passage’ despite it being declared illegal.