Lodwar, March 14, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The stakeholders in the gender and youth empowerment sector in Turkana have on Thursday validated the Turkana County Gender Mainstreaming Policy (2024-2028).

Speaking during the meeting, the Chief Officer for Gender and Youth Affairs Joseph Epuu acknowledged that the Policy was part of the county’s strategy to facilitate the adoption of gender-responsive approaches in conducting its affairs.

“With this Policy, Turkana has joined the growing list of progressive organisations that have integrated and mainstreamed gender concerns in the planning and execution of their programmes,” said Chief Epuu.

The Deputy Director of Gender, Mollen Onderi said the process leading to the development of the Policy included the contributions and professional viewpoints of all the stakeholders, thus fulfilling the requirement of inclusivity in the process.

Moving forward, she urged the stakeholders to further support the implementation of the Policy by sensitising the community on its existence.

The validation of the policy comes at a time when the nation is grappling with the one-third gender rule in its major institutions, the Policy places Turkana on course to achieve a statutory requirement provided for by the Constitution of Kenya.

The validation of the policy by stakeholders means that residents will have the advantage of government interventions that are more relevant to their financial needs. Besides, the policy will open up new and exciting opportunities for both the youth and women in the society.