Plan International in partnership with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) on Thursday launched the African Year of Human Rights in Kenya.
The event that brought together human rights defenders and marked in Kisumu with a call to help address the rights of the vulnerable groups also marked the inauguration of the Ending Child Marriages Technical Working Groups that will be rolled out to the the sub counties.
African Year of Human Rights is a declaration of the African Union to have African states commit to upholding human rights with a special focus on the rights of women.
It provides an opportunity for the entire continent to take stock of the human rights situation on the continent in general and the rights of women in particular.
Speaking at the even the Vice Chairperson of the KNHCR George Morara observed that the country still faces challenges that have had a significant impact in the realisation of the rights of women and children.
He said the ethnic polarisation, inequality, poverty and high levels of unemployment and negative cultural practices has maimed the development of women in remote and poorer neighborhoods where such violations are rife and often have less resources required to pursue justice.
“It is critical that human rights defenders create networks that will address the challenges faced by women in a highly masculine society that has over the years inculcated norms that have otherwise impeded on their growth," said Mr Morara.
Mercy Chege the Child Protection Manager with Plan International said early marriages have for a long time been an impediment to the growth of children in Kenya.
Ms Chege cited that Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties are among the regions that are recording high prevalence of early marriages.
Homabay County stands at 58%, Siaya at 45% while Kisumu County stands at 42% of the girls getting married before the age of 18.
It is against this backdrop that the organisation piloted a programme dubbed End Child Marriages in the three counties to ensure that girls are kept in school and are given equal opportunities to rise.
“Our main aim is to capacity build community structures to be able to address the cultural norms that promote the practice and also build livelihoods of women and children through economic empowerment programs,” said Ms Chege.