Dr Githinji Gitahi, MBSVerified account

Re-orient the family structure, value and teach children differently, no girls/boys ONLY roles within family set ups. That could be the first step....

If I consciously make a effort to think and act differently in my sphere of influence... Then I can start to reduce the gap. Then pursue change in the wider space where other actors can begin to see and actively. I must change to witness any change.

Its a system based discrimination. Research to be done to evaluate the impact of gender transformative interventions. Eg. Adding female jobs will not work under the current environment. so we need to fix the environment to create decent work place/leadership positions for women.

Women bear upto 70% of the labour burden. Family health/public health issues remain at their heart

Actualise Government affirmative action

Partner with more Healthcare partners offering Healthcare programs within the communities and contract the volunteers on commission earning arrangements

Support/encourage family, community, religious & government structures to mentor girls; advocate for the girl to stay & complete school; ensure she gets work skills/training; when employed has access to dignified childcare services to stay on a paid job..that will take all of us!

In the short- term we need affirmative action to bring more of the female volunteers into pay. In the longer term we should focus on the point where the graph starts diverting using targeted education opportunities for girls and protection against marriage and early motherhood.

Greater support for skills development to allow for career development which begs to question how sustainable is reliance on unpaid work?

Last weekend I worked with a group of Community Health Volunteers in Nakuru, and for the first time I appreciated their role. They help to identify challenges in their communities and they are also the frontline agents of change. They should be paid very well.