By Betty Luke
With an upsurge in violence against women and girls in Isiolo, local women groups are slowly rolling out initiatives to stem the human rights violations.
One such is a Village Savings and Loaning Association (VSLA) women group that besides its primary mandate of powering members to financial freedom, is sensitizing the public on how to be proactive especially in reporting of the cases for action.
Eight-year-old Sacred Heart Mapenzi Women group’s initial aim was to support breastfeeding mothers but years later, shifted focus to financial empowerment for its members, through a merry go round.
In the last two years, the women aged between 30-55 years have taken up the fight against Gender Based violence with a special focus on casual laborers working in homesteads across Bulapesa, Wabera and Burat wards.
Group Chairperson Sabera Mukasa says their move was prompted after one woman collapsed while doing laundry work at a home within Sacred Heart village.
“One of my group members was alerted and after rushing the woman to the hospital, we established that she had not had a meal for some days. The incident pushed us into agitating for better and improved welfare for casual laborers,” recalls Ms Mukasa.
Part of the activities they were involved in was educating the public on the forms of violence and reporting channels.
“We realized the majority of the locals thought violence was either sexual or physical assault. It is more than that. If you employ a house help or gardener on your farm and you fail to offer them food, you are violating their rights,” she said.
Their record keeper Joyce Wambui said they were targeting not only homes but also businesses to ensure everyone’s rights are upheld.
Stephen Muthoi implored men to work closely with the women group in amplifying voices and addressing the challenges local residents were facing, saying men were being subjected to violations but a few were speaking out.
“The conversation on violence against men has not been as vibrant as the one on women because men choose to stay mum. I chose to join the women’s group because I realized it would give me an opportunity to speak out and access support whenever I had a challenge,” he said.
VSLA tutor and human rights activist Kuresha Bille said a collective voice was the surest way in ending violence and called on other women groups to join the course.
“If everyone speaks against it and calls out anyone perpetuating violence, then we shall achieve a society where everyone’s rights are respected,” Kuresha, who has trained over 100 groups in the county, said.
Waso Chief James Chuchu hailed the effort noting that during the festive period many children were at risk of being subjected to violations and only such initiatives would protect them.
He warned parents to be vigilant of their children’s whereabouts by monitoring their movements and interactions.
They spoke during the group’s end-year-share-out event at Sacred Heart village where Sh800,000 was shared amongst the 10 group members.
The team hopes to collaborate with other organizations that are fighting to end all forms of violence.
