BY TONY WAFULA
Wema Bukembe development organization has embraced the use of sporting activities in Bungoma as a remedy to empower girl child and fight early pregnancies, Female genital mutilation and Sexual gender based violence (SGBV).
In her address during the Wema Cup games at Bukembe primary school, the organization’s CEO, Elizabeth Juma, argues that the organization has been able to support different games and Education in Bungoma and its environs.
She argues that sporting activities have put youths engaged.
According to the UNICEF report it is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to Female Genital Mutilation in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
It further stated that, In Kenya, about 9.3 million girls and women have undergone FGM.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, it indicated that Bungoma has recorded 19 percent cases of teenage pregnancy being number 37.
The KDHS report also highlights that 34% of women in Kenya have encountered physical violence since age fifteen, compared to 27% of men.
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) stated that the national prevalence of FGM among women and girls aged 15-49 years has gradually declined from 38% in 1998, 32% in 2003, 27% in 2008-2009, 21% 2014 and 15% in 2022.
Further, the CEO notes that the move to support games in Bungoma came as a result of surveys from the Kenya Health Demographic Survey (KDHS) indicating that Bungoma has been adversely hit by high teenage pregnancies, Sexual gender based violence and drop- outs.
She said that the aim of the one month Wema Cup is to keep the girls busy during the long holidays adding that the organization is supporting over 350 girls in Bungoma.
“After the games, those who win are appreciated and encouraged to keep going and we also link them with bigger teams in the country,” she noted.
She added, “ This tournament serves as an avenue to showcase their talents as the best players get full scholarship to join best schools where their talents will be nurtured,”
Apart from keeping the girls busy during the holiday, Ms. Juma says that there are life skills lessons that are taught.
“Our aim is to build champions on and off the field, by soccer and life skills lessons we shall be nurturing the lives of these girls,”
Other partners that have sponsored youths’ tournaments include; Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli and the Kenya Red cross society.
Ends
