By Nelson Mutwiri.
The 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign has officially been launched in Meru County.
The ceremony was flagged off by the County Commissioner Jacob Ouma with various multi-agency stakeholders including non-profit organizations in partnership with the Meru County Assembly participating.
During the flagging off, a chilling report surfaced of a recent rape case involving an underage girl in her teens.
The girl, who was attacked the previous day and raped while going to the shop where she had been sent by her grandparents is currently undergoing reconstructive surgery at the Meru Nairobi Women’s Hospital.
Her case has raised alarming concerns about the prevalence of sexual violence against minors and the urgent need for greater public sensitization on gender-based violence.
The incident underscores the importance of the ongoing 16 days of activism campaign, which seeks to raise awareness and promote action to combat GBV.
Ouma and other leaders present stressed the need for more robust community engagement and education on the issue, calling for collective action to end violence against women and children.
The campaign, which will run until December 10 aims to mobilize communities, institutions and government bodies to address and prevent GBV in all its forms, with a focus on both awareness and legal measures to protect vulnerable individuals.
