Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, a Kenyan pastor and gender activist, took the boy child agenda to the United Nations on March 6th, 2023. Speaking to delegates from around the world, she emphasized the importance of empowering boys and men to achieve gender equality.
“Gender equality cannot be achieved by only focusing on women and girls to the exclusion of the male gender. We can attain more through the involvement of men and boys,” Pastor Dorcas told the delegates.
She highlighted the dangers of ignoring the plight of the boy child, including an increased risk of drug abuse, joining violent extremist groups, and perpetrating gender-based violence against women and girls.
During the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), Pastor Dorcas explored the topic of male engagement and inclusion in preventing violence against women and girls. She recommended measures and strategies that UN member countries can employ to build positive masculinity among boys and men worldwide.
At the CSW67, other Kenyan leaders also presented their work in the empowerment of men and fighting gender-based violence. Permanent Secretary of State Department for Gender in Kenya Veronica Nduva detailed the policies and multisectoral approaches adopted in Kenya, including the Sexual Offences Act and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act.
MP Gathoni Wamuchomba presented the case for Kenya’s role in fighting gender-based violence at the legislative level. Senator Veronica Maina and EALA MP Florence Jematia were also present.
Pastor Dorcas’s campaign is part of the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President’s vision for a “Dignified Future for Vulnerable Populations,” including the boy child, widows, orphans, and persons with disabilities.
By taking the boy child agenda to the United Nations, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi hopes to inspire a global conversation on the importance of empowering boys and men for gender equality.
