Migori County Woman Member of National Assembly Fatuma Mohammed has graced the celebrations of World Aids Day in a colourful event organized by the office of the Woman Representative.
At the event held in Suna East Sub County, the legislator has warned the human right violators saying that they are the reason why HIV infections have been on the rise.
“I want to send a warning to those who have been violating the rights of Kenyans and those attempting the violations to desist as we all embark on this journey to end triple threat together,” said Fatuma Mohammed.
Fatuma who was in the company of representatives of Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and other leaders said that the aim of the occasion was to mark the milestones that have been achieved in fighting the triple threat.
“As we mark this day by embracing the milestones that have been achieved in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, we also encourage those living with the disease to be strong and stay positively.
Fatuma Mohammed, Migori County Woman Representative.
She embraced the strategies that have been put in place by health stakeholders and their continued efforts to prevent new infections, urging those living with the disease to adhere to the regulations.
“As we celebrate the efforts by the health stakeholders to prevent new infections, we also celebrate the heroes who have conquered the disease as well as encouraging the infected to adhere to the laid down health regulations so as to prevent further infections,” she added.
Fatuma who has also been vocal on matters gender-based violence also criticized the social violence that women face especially from their spouses whenever disagreement occur.
She advised couples to always consider alternative ways of solving their disagreements so as to reduce the cases of gender based violence in Migori County in particular.
“I understand that disagreements are part of life for couples but that should not lead to any kind of violence,” she added.
Fatuma who made history by clinching the seat on an independent ticket in ODM-dominated area encouraged women to take up leadership opportunity, not only in the capacity she is currently serving but also in other areas.
She said that through her and other women leaders, it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that when given opportunity, women can also serve best in leadership positions.
“The period when women were left to guard homes is long gone and that can be seen from the exemplary performance women leaders have shown at various capacities, both in parliament and other areas,” she stated.
She challenged men to support female aspirants in the county so that Migori County can be well balanced in terms of gender representation in the parliament.
“In this County, I am the only woman leader in the parliament. This therefore, is a challenge to other women and men to support the women in their political aspirations in order to achieve gender equality,” she added.
Professor Rose Odhiambo, the Chief Officer in the Department of Education also thanked the stakeholders for joining hands in the fight against new HIV/AIDS infections.
She said that the Department of Gender has strategies in place to coordinate with the Health Department in order to ensure that the youth have information on how to keep away from risky behaviour.
“We have measures especially from the Office of Migori County First Lady, Agnes Ochilo to ensure that the young girls, boys and expectant mothers and the new born are free from HIV/AIDS,” she said.
She referred to strategies like mentorship activities for the young girls in schools so as to create awareness for the ladies on how to take care of themselves.
These include giving free pads for the adolescents especially those from vulnerable background so that they do not remain easily targeted by those who will infringe their rights, leading to early pregnancies and worse, HIV infections.
Kigen Mwangi from Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), a caucus of women members of parliament from both houses, said that the association also appreciates the initiatives by the women leaders to empower the community.
Mwangi said that KEWOPA joins hand in the marking of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence as it amplifies the voices of women as well as fighting for gender equality.
KTMN Reporter 
Meza Mwanza