By Elijah Gichunge
Picture, Phoebe Okall

Meru Council of Elders, Njuri Ncheke, has joined the county government’s efforts to promote gender equity and equality, by fighting gender based violence through implementation of Sexual Gender Based Violence policy.

Gender violence, has been a big challenge to county as evidence of social values breakdown, which according to Governor Kiraitu, has extended to bestiality, school dropouts, early pregnancies and marriages and increasing numbers of defilement and assault cases.

While addressing a sensitization forum for Njuri Ncheke in Meru, he said whilst his government concentrate on physical and infrastructural development, social development is also a key aspect of social growth.

"The preservation of positive elements of culture, traditions and history of Meru can’t happen without Njuri Ncheke coming into play" Said Kiraitu.

He said the county must reason together and end gender discrimination which begins from birth, where 3 ululations are made for a feminine gender against 4 to a masculine gender, which symbolically becomes a mother of other sorts of gender discrimination.

While the need to engage men in raising awareness on gender equity is necessary, the council should consider coming up with a Kimeru policy that would standardize dowry payment to protect the boychild from exploitation.

Respective CEC, Linner Nkirote, said the department is working with the church and various institution against social violence, adding that as the custodian of Meru law and culture, the council should also come out strong to strengthen the voice of women, through quality judgement.

The two Council’s Secretary Generals, Washington Mbaya-Programs and Josphat Murangiri- Operations respectively, held the move will, besides combating gender violence, enhance preservation of Kimeru values, revive the Council’s reputation and partnership with local administration’s for social growth.