For every ten news item in a newspaper story, three are about sexual abuse of girls from as young as 5 to 17 years. Where are the women Rep? Where are the women Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and the nominated ones? Why are they not highlighting this disaster? Why have they not set up rescue centers to assist these girls psychologically?
These leaders can start by empowering women and NGOs should give talks in schools and colleges. In Uasin Gishu County, the deputy governor has sounded an alarm citing that ‘bodabodas’ and teachers are responsible for the high rate of school dropout among girls aged between 10 and 15.
The most affected areas are Soy and Turbo. In Turbo more than 30 pupils dropped out of school after they fell pregnant while 15 dropped out in Soy. We have had cases of men raping their own daughters or elderly men taking advantage of minors under their care.
Let rape be declared a national disaster so that, special people or groups can be given the task of educating these girls.
These groups can assist the unfortunate girls so that the perpetrators are prosecuted. More deterrent measures should be meted on these rapists like publishing their names and photos after the conclusion of the case on social media for instance on Facebook, Twitter Instagram etc.