By Onex Opati.
Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH) visited Kibabii University to share insights from their latest research project that commenced in October,2023. Organized by the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, the workshop aimed to shed light on TICAH’s mission and work.
TICAH’s overarching goal is to speak up for the health rights of communities that are often overlooked. They partner with various organizations to raise awareness about health programs, with a special focus on helping women and girls access vital sexual reproductive health services in Kenya. Tackling tough issues like HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence is also part of their mission. Additionally, they strive to lower the number of mothers who die during childbirth.
During the workshop, it was revealed that more than half of the students surveyed at Kibabii University were aware of TICAH’s efforts. This shows that their work is making an impact, especially within our university community. However, concerns were raised about the reluctance of victims to report cases of abuse due to fear of repercussions.
TICAH also acknowledged the presence of a Guiding and Counseling office on campus, providing support to students facing various challenges. Suggestions were made to introduce short courses or training sessions on HIV/AIDS, mental health, and gender- based violence to further support students.
In essence, the meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration and awareness in addressing health issues within our community. ”As we move forward, let’s continue working together to ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need for their well-being,” said Dr. Rispah Wepukhulu, the director Institute of Gender and Development Studies. Dr. Wepukhulu expressed gratitude to the respondents in the research, who included students from various study programs, for their participation in the project. She also thanked the members of staff and students from the Kibabii University Gender Club for their presence at the workshop. Special appreciation was extended to the TICAH team for selecting Kibabii University as its study site, and to the Dean of Students for hosting the workshop.
