By Elizabeth Mwibanda, Bungoma
WEMA Development Organization, based in Bungoma hosted an impactful forum aimed at mentoring young girls and women, fostering shared experiences, and providing valuable advice on navigating the challenges they face in society. The event, held at Mabanga ATC, brought together participants eager to learn, connect, and empower one another in addressing key societal issues.
In her opening address, Elizabeth Juma, the Chief Executive Officer of WEMA Development Organization, shared the inspiration behind organizing the forum.
Juma revealed that the initiative was sparked by alarming statistics from the Kenya Health Demographic Survey (KDHS) and other research institutions, which highlighted the many challenges faced by women and girls in Bungoma. Issues such as stress, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and teenage pregnancy were particularly prevalent.
According to the UNICEF report, over 200 million girls and women worldwide have been subjected to FGM in 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In Kenya alone, around 9.3 million girls and women have experienced FGM. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 also revealed troubling figures for Bungoma, where 19 percent of teenage pregnancies were recorded, placing the county in 37th position nationally.
The KDHS report also underscores the widespread issue of physical violence, with 34 per cent of women in Kenya reporting experiences of violence since the age of 15, compared to 27 per cent of men. Although the national prevalence of FGM has declined in recent years, from 38 per cent in 1998 to 15 per cent in 2022, the fight against harmful practices continues to be a pressing issue in Bungoma and beyond.
Juma emphasized the importance of such forums in providing young girls with the chance to be mentored, express their concerns, and gain support in addressing their challenges at home and in marriage. She also announced that this would be the inaugural event, with plans to make it an annual occasion. The organization hopes to bring in successful women to share their stories, provide ongoing mentorship, and create a ripple effect of empowerment throughout the community.
Some of the key topics covered during the forum included financial literacy, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, mental health awareness, and legal tools that women can use to empower themselves. Additionally, the event encouraged women to pursue careers in male-dominated fields, broadening their professional horizons and challenging societal stereotypes.
The forum also aimed to equip young girls with essential skills to navigate the difficulties they encounter in their communities. Elizabeth Juma emphasized that these skills are critical to helping them overcome societal barriers and build a better future.
Dr. Saul Kiberenge, the county’s chair for the Kenya Counseling Psychology Association (KCPA), praised WEMA Development Organization for creating a safe space where women and girls could openly discuss the issues affecting them. “Through such conferences, we are going to lift up a good generation,” he said.
Dr. Kiberenge highlighted the immense pressure faced by girls in Bungoma, noting that high societal expectations often lead to mental health issues. He revealed that research conducted by various organizations in the region found that seven out of ten women suffer from mental health disorders, often exacerbated by domestic violence.
“The percentage of mental illness in our county is very high,” Dr. Kiberenge said. “If we start empowering the young generation, we can create a community where there will be no femicide or sexual gender-based violence.” He also attributed the rise in mental health issues and SGBV to the growing prevalence of drug abuse in the county.
Dr. Saul Kiberenge, Bungoma county chair for the Kenya Counseling Psychology Association
Dr. Kiberenge urged both the national and county governments to invest more in mental health awareness and initiatives, underscoring the importance of forums like this to support the mental and emotional well-being of women and girls.
The forum, organized by WEMA Development Organization, marked a significant step toward addressing the challenges faced by young girls and women in Bungoma.
