MP implores girls to focus on education to bridge gender gaps

School girls in Machakos County have been challenged to work hard in school so as to bridge the gender gap in representation in government and other sectors.

Machakos Woman Representative Joyce Kamene said women are still underrepresented in the National Assembly and need to equal men so as to have their issues heard.

She gave the example of Machakos County with eight constituencies all represented by male Members of Parliament (MPs).

Ms Kamene said education was the only way to empower the girls and ensure they are able to compete fairly with their male counterparts.

"To the girls seated here, I want to challenge you. I believe in equal representation. The female gender is not on the table where decisions are made. You have the potential to change this," she said in an event at Kwa Mwaura location in Matungulu Sub-County during the graduation ceremony of 130 learners who gained skills on Computer Packages.

The students were being trained for two months by her office.

She advised them to stay away from drugs and substance abuse and other vices that could ruin their education.

The lawmaker said the aim was to assist young people in her area and across the county, especially those from poor families who are often unable to afford the fees for Computer Packages among other on-demand skills.