Women lobby moves to empower young men in fight against gender inequality.

Women lobby moves to empower young men in fight against gender inequality.

BY MAXIMILLA WAFULA & PATRICK KIMANZI 

FAWE Kiambu Coordinator, Pauline Masese

Nairobi , 29th June 2024-  Forum for African Women Educationalists-Kenya has launched a training programme to empower boys and young men in gender equality advocacy.

Since its inception in 1996, FAWE has been a leading advocate for girls' education and gender equality in Kenya

As part of the ongoing Imarisha Msichana project, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, the new initiative seeks to foster a culture of gender parity and equality in education across Kenya.

Speaking during the launch of the programme in Kiambu County, FAWE Kiambu Coordinator, Pauline Masese, emphasised the crucial role of boys and young men in fostering gender equality and preventing teenage pregnancies.

“By involving boys and young men in these discussions and equipping them with the right tools, we are not only addressing the root causes of gender inequality but also empowering future leaders to advocate for change within their communities," she said.

Since its inception in 1996, FAWE has been a leading advocate for girls' education and gender equality in Kenya.

The organisation has consistently worked towards achieving Education for All (EFA) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Imarisha Msichana project, operational in 20 counties, focuses on reducing teenage pregnancies by re-enrolling girls in school, conducting sensitisation forums, and promoting media advocacy programmes.

Participants will engage in comprehensive discussions on several critical issues which include men’s roles in preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and teenage pregnancy, gender-based referral pathways, gender norms and GBV causes and effects, HIV prevention Gender norms and GBV causes and effects and HIV prevention knowledge gaps among others.

The two-day residential conference in Kiambu aims to transform boys and young men into champions of girls' rights.

Topics covered will include gender norms, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and the role of men in preventing these issues.

Attendees include male representatives from Imarisha Msichana participating schools, health workers, and community opinion leaders.

The training is expected to enhance awareness about the risks associated with teenage pregnancies, create a shift in perceptions- viewing boys and young men as allies in preventing teenage pregnancies- and empowerment of male participants to challenge societal norms and cultural practices that perpetuate discrimination.

Stakeholders included the Teacher service commissioner, the County director of education office, the County director of health office, the Deputy County commissioner's office and administrators.