Youth-Gender-Budget Cafe forum in West POKOT

Declares Kenya in collaboration with various partners held a Youth-Gender-Budget Cafe forum at Kalya Hotel, Kapenguria focusing on youth-gender-based challenges in West Pokot County with a rallying call to #InvestToPrevent gender violence.

Chief Officer of Youths and Sports Affairs, Edwin Lokomol, spearheaded discussions with partners from the Swedish government and organisations like World Vision Kenya, DSW Kenya, Dream Alive Africa, and I-Rep foundation, highlighting the urgent need to work collectively to end gender violence and early marriages across the county and beyond.

The discussions further delved into issues plaguing local youth among them; early pregnancies, illiteracy, early marriages, and unemployment.

They agreed on promoting educational campaigns, combating gender discrimination, and advocating for skill development.

The forum comes ahead of the annual #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence which aims to unveil the power of gender-responsive budgeting in West Pokot County in a move to address and mainstream gender and youth affairs.