First Lady Rachel Ruto on Saturday, February 18, explained the role of the Faith Diplomacy Department in her office.
Mama Rachel revealed that this was part of three pillars in the Office of the First Lady. The others include; Women’s Economic Empowerment and Environment and Climate Action.
The First Lady was explaining the role of her office during the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to Rachel Ruto, Faith Diplomacy aims at fostering peace and national cohesion.
To achieve that, the department foremost advocates for a return to family values.
“Women and children bear the brunt of war and unstable conditions,” she explained the need to harmonise families.
Rachel Ruto further divulged that peace and national cohesion is achieved by partnering with faith-based organizations to incorporate value-based teachings.
“The faith-based organizations help in ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other social ills that contribute to unstable families.
The First Lady further revealed mercy works under the department which involve keeping children in schools through Mama Feeding Program.
“Despite the government’s free primary education program, some children in urban settlements are not in school due to family responsibilities which lead to children headed households,” she regretted.
Lastly, the Faith Diplomacy Department uses faith to promote cohesion, peace and development.
The Office of the First Lady was instrumental in organising National Prayers on February 14, at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi where the country prayed for rains and economic stability.
Under Women’s Economic Empowerment, the First Lady announced that under the program, her office had launched Joyful Women Group.
The group was revolving Ksh25 billion a month to over 150,000 members coming from 39 out of 47 counties according to Rachel Ruto.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE