While millions of women all over the country nursed interest over the years to celebrate March 8, annually, some find no interest and simply ignore it for one reason or the other.
In Douala, such women were seen carrying out their business and other activities normally. Seeking to know why they were not on the celebration train, one said «To me celebrating women’s day is completely useless because Cameroonian women suffer a lot. Today they play the role of head of the family. Work money to feed the family. They do everything. Vendors like me find difficulties in generating income because of economic hardship. Everything is expensive and customers rarely come to buy ».
To another woman, the government’s silence on the high rate of femicide in the country does not motivate her to celebrate. « I remember the little girl kidnapped, raped, and killed in Yaoundé recently. My elder sister was raped in Yassa and her body was decapitated. The government has done nothing to render justice. Why should I go celebrating
Women’s Day? »
Discrimination or gender inequality hurts others and they blame the government for not doing anything to treat men and women equally.
« There are women who can do more of what a man does but they are given inferior positions or even sent to the kitchen. Women are marginalized whereas they are the backbone of society. » A lady points this as her reason for not having an interest in any form of women’s day celebration.
Despite the aforementioned reasons and others not evoked, the majority of Cameroonian women celebrate happily as if all is well.
Women who snubbed Women’s Day told CNA that they can join their fellow women if they stand to protest against femicides, rapes, gender-based violence, inequality, discrimination, the current economic hardship, and so on.
Source: Cameroon News Agency
Trans Nzoia County Government has launched Ukombozi Empowerment Programme.
The programme targets to uplift vulnerable community groups by providing Education, vocational training and access to essential resources.
Speaking during the launch of the Programme at Kitale Showground, Governor George Natembeya noted that the implementation of the Ukombozi Empowerment Programme will rely on partnerships and community engagements.
Those who will be selected for the programme are expected to assist in ensuring sanitation across all markets in Trans County, besides ensuring a smooth flow of drainage.
Under the sanitation programme, 2500 youth from informal settlements stand to benefit and they will be getting a monthly stipend of Sh 5000 after working for ten days in shifts.
Natembeya challenged youth in informal settlements to take advantage of the programme as it will help improve their livelihoods and boost their families’ financial income.
Promising to roll out entrepreneurship programmes to the youths, Gover
nor Natembeya pointed out that sensitizing the youths on investment and savings will be a critical component to the success of Ukombozi Initiative.
He promised to work closely with the County Assembly to ensure formulation and approval of policies which will enhance empowerment of women and youths.
Hospital Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Erick Wafula, and his Matisi Ward counterpart Obed Mahanga applauded the Governor for launching the Ukombozi Programme saying that it will help go a long way to uplift the living standards of the vulnerable.
‘The programme will keep the youth busy and prevent them from involving in petty crimes in our informal settlements, ‘ Wafula said.
Accompanying the Governor were Trans Nzoia County Secretary Truphosa Amere and County Executive Committee Members Chanelle Kittony (Gender, Youths, Sports, Culture and Tourism) and Phanice Khatundi (Agriculture).
Source: Kenya News Agency