NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 13 – A section of gender-based violence advocates have expressed concern over the rise in cases of violence witnessed in the country while calling for authorities to act decisively on violators.
The crusaders who included Young Women Campaigners Against HIV/AIDS (YWCAA) emphasized on the need for a non-violent environment to protect the welfare of vulnerable women, youth and children is achieved.
Speaking during a sensitization event held at Kano grounds, Mukuru Kayaba, on Wednesday, an official from Mater Hospital told the gathering that 64 cases of child defilement have been treated at the hospital’s outlet in the area this year alone.
Lynette Kitui, a crusader against gender violence from Starehe urged parents to protect their children from sexual violence and child labor saying the two vices are intertwined.
Area Assistant Chief George Mose blamed parents from the slums for being the main source of violence against their own children.
“There are important documents like birth certificates for our children. We are doing them a disservice as parents when we deny them an opportunity to acquire the birth certificates while young hence expose them to child labor because nobody knows their age,” he said.
The International Labour Organization inaugurated the World Day against Child Labour in June 2002 to mobilize support against child labour.
The day commemorated on June 12 brings together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers.