Kenyan vice president calls for end to sex related violence
24/7/2008 17:20
Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has emphasized the need for
concerted efforts by all members of the society in ending increasing cases of
sex related violence.
Musyoka said through multisectoral partnership and
commitment in the implementation of recommendations by various groups, the
gender based challenges could be addressed effectively.
"There is need for
people across civil society, parliament, regional blocs and various
organizations to come up with workable strategies and mechanism with regard to
action on sexual and gender based violence," he said when he closed the three
day Pan African Conference late yesterday in Nairobi.
The conference brought
together civil society, parliaments and regional blocs from the African
continent to discuss strategies on bridging mechanisms with regard to action on
sexual and gender based violence.
Musyoka reiterated the government's
commitment in promoting a conducive environment for various groups to come up
with recommendations and ways forward in the implementation of strategies to end
sex violence.
He said the government enacted the Sexual Offences Act to
address the challenges in the country, adding that the conference, in addition
to making a strong call to condemn violence against women, has also showcased
the strength and commitment of African communities' to end impunity and to
protect women in conflict and post conflict situations.
Musyoka urged
organizations dealing with sexual and gender based violence to take the
responsibility to ensure that various levels of implementation occur in the
region and at a Pan African level.
He said it is disheartening that
incidences of sexual and gender based violence continue to take place in spite
of the existence of numerous international conventions aimed at curbing the
vice.
Musyoka decried the weakness in dealing with crime of sexual nature and
the rehabilitation needs of victims of sexual based violence.
The vice
president called for the enforcement of the existing legislative framework,
protocols and declarations to effectively put to an end to impunity on sexual
and gender based violence.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South
Africa Parliament, Gwendoline Mahlangu-Nkabinde, said Gender related violence
would effectively be dealt with through concerted efforts by all stakeholders at
national, regional and continental levels.
The deputy speaker challenged
parliaments in Africa to utilize the existing goodwill and available manpower to
have in place appropriate legislations and enforcement modalities to curb the
violence.
Xinhua
|
