Laikipia County acting Chief Officer Education, Gender, Sports Culture and ICT Annette Muriuki speaking during in Nakuru on Thursday during a review program on gender implementation program at the counties in relation to SDGs. [Photo: Pristone Mambili]
The county governments have been urged to ensure women, youths and persons with disabilities are represented in all instituting bodies including the formation of County Integrated Development Plans - CIDPs.
Speaking in Nakuru on Thursday during a review program on gender implementation program at the counties, Laikipia County acting Chief Officer Education, Gender, Sports Culture and ICT Annette Muriuki said the county governments should ensure all committees have marginalized groups represented.
She added that women have a major role in county Integrated Development Plans and therefore they should be part and parcel of the process without any discrimination.
“In all our committees and other instituting bodies we must ensure that the three categories-women, youths and persons with disabilities are represented so that they also raise issues affecting them,” she said.
While reiterating that indeed gender issue is not all about women but catering for all, she stated that the scenario has been brought about by the fact that women have been marginalized for long.
Ms Annette called on citizens to come out in large numbers during public participation as far as County Integrated Development plans are concerned.
“The issue of gender is not just about women but all citizens from men, women, persons with disability and youths. We are therefore urging the residents to come out in large numbers and ensure they participate in views towards CIDPs,” she said.
On her part the coordinator Sustainable Development Goals Kenya Forum Florence Imbuho said there is need for a collective responsibility to ensure the nation achieves the goals.
"There is work that needs to be done in terms of ensuring that the common citizens understand the SDGs,” she said.
The forum was also attended by Chief Economist SDGs Unit Mr. Stephen Odhiambo who called on the county governments to work closely with other partners in ensuring that the SDGs are localized.
“We need to create awareness among the communities and work with all stakeholders to move together towards the same. The last general election really took much time and the budgets delayed but we hope moving forward all will be well,” he said.