Youth Empowerment and Social Inclusion

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Youth Empowerment and Social Inclusion

Youth Empowerment and Social inclusion is meant to ensure that issues that directly affect Youths, Women and PWDs are adequately addressed by policies and legal frameworks, programs and projects. The focus will be on Implementation of Affirmative Action Policy on Youth, Women and PWDs, the establishment of Gender Working groups in all departments and wards, establishing social empowerment and protection programs to address gender needs, and Youth and PWDs issues  

Youth

The Youth are experiencing high unemployment rates. Further, there is a mismatch between youths’ skills training and industry requirements. This is made worse by the fact that youths have low access to credit/capital hence they may not be able to invest. Another challenge facing the youth is vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and high prevalence of drugs and substance abuse.

Women

The women, who constitute 44.98% of the County labor force, have challenges that have affected their ability to adequately participate in development. These are; low levels of implementation of gender-related policies and laws, fear in taking up loan, lack of collateral, marginalization on ownership of property and leadership. In addition, they are also exposed to harmful social cultural and religious factors, e.g. female genital mutilation which is at a prevalence rate of 30%, forced early marriages, low levels of awareness on gender needs and roles, and women empowerment. Other issues which affect the participation of women in productive ventures are high incidences of gender-based violence and discriminatory traditions, policies and laws which violate women’s rights.

Vulnerable Groups (Elderly and Children)

The Elderly and Children especially the orphans have inadequate information on human rights and children rights. These groups also are lack knowledge of different programs. There is a need for proper co-ordination mechanisms for the consolidated social protection programs, inadequate policy, legal and institutional framework. There is an increase in the number of children in need of special protection, and concerted efforts are needed so as to cater for the increased needs.