Maendeleo ya Wanawake organization has launched a program targeting men in five counties to help curb alcoholism.

The NGO, which has been focusing on female empowerment programs since its inception 70 years ago, says there is a link between alcoholism and the high levels of gender-based violence against women.

The programme, Male Champions Initiative, which is aimed at “building the boy child in order to restore the man back to the place of leadership at the family level”, will be rolled out in Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga counties.

Championing male empowerment will reduce alcoholism

According to the Organisation’s National Chairperson, Rahab Muiu, the five counties were identified owing to the high rate of alcoholism in the central region.

“This alcoholism menace has robbed us our sons at a very young age; it has also denied them the chance of enjoying fatherhood and companionship because they cannot sustain marriages,” said Muiu when the organization held its second nationwide 70^th anniversary celebrations at Mount Kenya University, Thika.

The central region has one of the highest alcohol prevalence rates in the country, which has sparked an aggressive national campaign against alcohol abuse in the region over the years.

According to 2018 data by the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), the region has a prevalence rate of 10. 6 percent, compared to Nairobi which was leading with 17.5 percent, Eastern 14.3 percent, Western 13.4 percent and Rift Valley 13.2 percent respectively.

The report which is released every five years, targets Kenyans between 15-65 years across the eight regions (former provinces in the old constitution), shows that Central is below the national average which stands at 12.2 per cent.