Female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriages dominated views presented at the public hearing held at the Catholic conference hall as main contributors of violence meted against women and girls in Marsabit County.
While the two vices have stuck with local pastoralist community despite being banned due to ignorance, poverty and drug abuse also featured prominently as contributors of GBV and at times femicide.
Residents poured out their frustrations to the Technical working group on gender based violence including femicide during a public participation session held at the Catholic Conference Hall in Marsabit town saying the widespread practices have robbed girls and women of their human dignity and violated their fundamental rights and freedoms.
The forum that was also attended by County commissioner James Kamau heard that the practices were deeply rooted in the culture of the local pastoralist communities hence the difficulty in enforcing laws enacted against the harmful practices.
