Vihiga: Vihiga Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo has called for increased grassroots campaigns against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) as the county moves to operationalise the newly established SGBV Centre in Vokoli, Sabatia Sub-County.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kitiezo spoke during a consultative meeting convened by the Department of Gender, Culture, Youth, and Sports that brought together stakeholders from the county and national governments, as well as development partners and non-governmental organizations.
The Deputy Governor appreciated partners for their continued support in ensuring the sustainability of the facility, noting that the centre will play a crucial role in addressing rising cases of SGBV in the county.
County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture, and Social Services, Dr. Ruth Agesa, said the centre will require joint support in providing food, water, bedding, medication, counselling services, and income-generating activities for survivors.
Among the organizations recognized for supporting the initiative are Rural Outreach Africa, Ujamaa Africa, Impact Research and Development Organization, National Muslim Leaders Association, National Syndemic Disease Control Council, CSO Africa, Tuwajali, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO).
The Vokoli SGBV Centre is expected to provide safe shelter, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation services to survivors as part of the county government's efforts to curb gender-based violence.