By OSDP
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Friday distributed cheques worth KSh4 million to widows groups in Migori County during celebrations to mark International Women’s Day 2024 held at Rongo Showground.
In the event, attended by First Ladies Dr. Agnes Ochilo (Migori) and Alamitu Jattani (Marsabit), the 16 women groups received KSh250, 000 and will establish fish ponds in different parts of the county.
“As the theme for this year states, ‘investing in women: accelerate progress’ it means we are tackling the economic disempowerment that mostly affects women in marginalized areas and women at the bottom of the economic pyramid where most of our women are, but things are changing,” said Pastor Dorcas.
Pastor Dorcas also celebrated women for their selfless service to their families and humanity over the years.
“A mother carries a baby for nine months, gets morning sickness, and other funny cravings like eating soil, but she keeps steadfast until she gives birth and sees their baby. And when she gives birth, she accepts the blessing God gives her. And she will take care of the baby whether the baby is unwell, disabled or unsound in mind, even if the father runs away,” said Pastor Dorcas.
She, however, urged the women to treasure their husband, giving an example of her own life, saying, “Every woman must treasure their husband, and I treasure the Deputy President who has lived with me for the last 36 years.”
She also told women across the nation to support each other and go against the stereotype that women do not support fellow women.
One way of this she said was through recognizing the single ladies whom she said need support, love and care.
First Lady Dr. Ochilo commended Pastor Dorcas for bringing her programs to Migori, saying that most times widows were forgotten, but through working with the office of the spouse of the Deputy President, widows in Migori had been empowered.
Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri said the county would invest in the education of the girl child through scholarships and bursaries to help solve the problem of female genital mutilation (FGM).
First Lady Jattani commended the deputy governor for speaking against FGM, noting that the practice is also prevalent in Marsabit. “FGM has no space in our times,” she said.
Migori Women Representative Fatuma Mohammed urged the women to pave the way for others, and support one another.
“I pave the way for you, and you pave the way for another, and together we pave the way for other women,” said County MP Mohammed.
Others present were county CECs, MCAs, wives of MCAs, and the national administration officers.
Widows and orphans is one pillar under the office of the spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP), the others being boy child, PWDs and on the foundation of Chaplaincy, Outreach and Family Values.