Jean-Claude Nsengiyumva the EAC deputy secretary general (Productive and Social Sectors) has pleaded with EAC partner states and stakeholders to make concerted efforts to avert Gender-based violence through increased awareness “to which this first EAC Gender Week will contribute.”
“Gender-based violence is a deadly crime, a social menace and a costly public health problem, especially during armed conflicts,” Nsengiyumva said.
The East African Community (EAC) secretariat considers Women and children as the most affected victims of civilian violence and armed conflicts.
“Civilians, particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflicts,” says Nsengiyumva.
In a statement issued at the weekend ahead of the Gender Week which will coincide with the International Women’s Day on 8th March, Nsengiyumva said gender-based violence was equally a deadly menace.
According to Nsengiyumva, the week-long event that begins today will bring to focus the critical need to engender the EAC policies and strategies towards improving the lot of women, especially against violence.
The secretariat, in collaboration with the German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ), East African Sub-Regional Support Initiative (EASSI) and Arusha Municipality, have jointly organised a series of activities to mark the week from today till Friday in Arusha.
The event coincides with the World International Women’s Day linked to the UN Secretary General’s Campaign to End Violence Against Women UNiTe on March 9. International sports icon, Ambassador Dr Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, former two-time world record holder in women’s marathon, will be the special guest during the event.
Ambassador Loroupe is well known in the region as a firm activist against women and children violence.She has, among others, reformed a significant number of armed warring cattle rustlers in Northern Kenya, Southern Sudan, North-Eastern Uganda and Ethiopia.
She is famous for having brought considerable peace to these troubled areas, something that has won her numerous regional and international awards.
Among highlights of the activities was a workshop to sensitise EAC staff on how to mainstream gender in their programmes and activities.
Additional reporting
The Citizen
Leave a Reply