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| Gender and Governance Lobby Group formed in Teso North District |
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The group which was formed shortly after a United Nations Fund for Women Development (UNIFEM) and Community Research in Environment and Development Initiatives (CREADIS) training on enhancing women’s participation in local leadership will aim at overseeing gender issues in the various communities in Teso district. The new lobby group’s duties will include advocating for women’s issues on the government development agenda and influencing decisions made by the government concerning the welfare of women and young people in the area. This will include all necessary attempts to influence legislators in order to make the lives of women and youth better.The issues to be looked at will include human rights in relation to women and youth. The lobby group will also aim at sensitising women on the importance in participation in local leadership and access to local services like water and education. The lobby group will also aim at making women aware that they are entitled to social services provided by government and procedures to follow when accessing these services will also be highlighted. Moreover, the lobby group will act as link between the communities and government institutions. It will monitor issues involving women and how women and youth’s needs are being addressed by different government institutions. Before they launch out to work, the lobby group members will undergo training in civic education issues and paralegal skills for them to have a clear understanding of what their work entails and also for them to perform to expected standards. This lobby group is just a first of the many lobby groups that will be formed by the different communities in Western Kenya that CREADIS is working with. |
The people of Teso North district have formed a gender and governance lobby group.