The Short Stature Society of Kenya has challenged the government to put in place policies that will ensure their members are not sidelined.
Society’s Uasin Gishu chairperson Daniel Koech says a majority of persons with short stature are usually overlooked in several key areas among them job opportunities and education.
Speaking in Eldoret during the making of Short Stature Day, Koech lamented that despite being qualified and capable like any other person, society usually views them differently.
“Many of the short-stature children are usually neglected by their families. They don’t even get basic education while those that have papers cannot secure a job,” noted Koech who is a person with short stature.
He further expressed concerns that the country does not have sufficient medical experts who understand challenges and how to handle persons with short stature.
“What many people don’t know is that short-statured persons are capable men and women who can do anything a person with a normal height can do,” he added.
Sarah Njeri, a member of the Short Stature Society of Kenya on her part narrated some of the challenges that they have been going through, especially for women.
Seen as not yet mature
Njeri says those with short stature are yet to be accepted by society.
“Some still view us like we are not yet mature. Others think we do not have the ability to get pregnant,” she notes.
The mother of several kids also points out that for young girls who are short-statured, it remains a toll order for them to get persons ready to get married.
“Even those that find the love of their lives, introducing them to the inlaws is usually a challenge as the society still looks at us as with no capability hence a burden,” Njeri notes.
Short stature usually results from a genetic or medical condition. A common cause of the condition is a genetic mutation that affects bone growth.
Further, an adult with a height of 4 feet 10 inches (147 centimetres) or less is categorized as short-statured. The average adult height among people with short stature is 4 feet (122 cm).
