With worldwide consideration being channelled to the girl child, authorities in Nakuru have expressed concern with the rising levels of gender-based violence targeting the male populace of the society.
In a meeting that brought together activists, the county government, local and international non-governmental organisations, the private sector, the general public and other stakeholders at the Nyayo Gardens on Nakuru during the annual 16 day meant to commemorate activism against gender-based violence, it was noted that mechanisms were to be implemented to protect the boy child who is said to be silently suffering.
Speaking on the on the sidelines of the celebrations, county children’s officer Nancy Jerono regretted the number of abuse on the boy child reports they receive in the Children department on a daily basis saying that a lot had to be done to end the trend.
“Talk of child labour, harassment by parents, negligence by the society, involvement in crime, sodomy; just to mention but a few. The main culprit is usually the boy child something that has to be treated with the seriousness before it gets out of hand,” she noted.
Jerono accused the society of assuming that the masculine nature of men gives boys an upper hand to their female counterparts something she believes has led to adoption of a misinformed perception that men are stronger than women.
“Since time immemorial, a lot of activities and campaigns have been initiated in support of the girl child something that has graduated the boy child to segregation, alienation and in some cases mental torture that has forced them into crime and drug abuse,” she added.
The campaign brought to the limelight ignored issues of sexual and gender based violence that are fuelled by out dated cultures that involve gender inequality, abuse of power and lack of respect to human rights.
The celebrations were coordinated by the centre for Women global leadership and led by County cabinet executive for trade and finance Anne Njenga, representing governor Kinuthia Mbugua who was engaged in other official duties.