KELIN in conjunction with SOTENI and Kuria Women Empowerment Project conducted a series of nine (9) lobby meetings in all the divisions of the former Kuria East and West districts within Migori County. The meetings were attended by various leaders from the divisions were aimed at lobbying for their support to the Kuria Equal rights committee in their future advocacy activities within the two districts. Among the leaders met were ward representatives, chiefs, opinion leaders, law enforcement officers, and cultural elders.
The Kuria Equal Rights committee is comprised of 18 members with the representatives from each of the nine divisions. The role of the committee is to advocate for the promotion of the right to equality and non-discrimination as enshrined under Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
According to the preliminary report of the Kenya Aids Indicator Survey 2012, Kuria has a HIV prevalence of 26% which is over and above the national HIV prevalence of 5.2%. This high prevalence rate is attributed to the cultural practices that expose women and girls to the high risk of HIV transmission.These include, Female Genital Mutilation and domestic violence coupled with elevated levels of stigma and discrimination. The key issues addressed during the lobby meetings were FGM, gender based violence, HIV and human rights. A report on the common human rights violations against girls and women based on these key issues was presented to the leaders with key messages and action points.
The leaders were excited to have a lawyer from KELIN as part of the team to provide technical support in elaborating the law and the need to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to equality and non-discrimination in all spheres. Speaking during one of the meetings in Isebania division, Senior Chief Charles Makori of Nyangeti location stated, “for the past 15 years, I have served as a chief and have never seen a lawyer visit this village to help us understand the law. I thank KELIN and SOTENI for this initiative to help us understand the need to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to equality and non-discrimination in our community”
The leaders pledged to work with the Equal Right Committee in championing equality rights within the community, and thanked KELIN and SOTENI for taking the initiative to engage with them in championing for respect of human rights within the community.
