Kenya: Violence on Women on the Rise

By Lilian Museka

NAIROBI---Over 25,000 cases of gender violence have been reported and attended to at the Gender Recovery centre (GVRC) since inception of the program in March 2001 till March 2014.

Out of the cases, 56 percent were violence against women, 36 percent against girls while men and boys take up 3 percent and 5 percent respectively.

This means violence against women and girls was still on the rise compared to their counterparts, according to statistics from GVRC .

Between January and May this year, the centre located at Nairobi Women hospital received 1,864 cases, of which 84 percent were physical violence while 16 percent were sexual violence

During a GVRC 1 Million Fathers Movement  media breakfast, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Nairobi Women Hospital and the GVRC  Dr> Sam Thenya reiterated the role of men in the society in ending gender violence.

Applauding the 1 million Fathers campaign launched in 2012, Dr. Thenya called on need to create a society free of gender violence, noting that the vice did not only affect women but men also.

“Majority of perpetrators are men and some are victims too. There is therefore  need to engage good men who can demonstrate positive masculinity to create a society free of violence. Men also control resources from across all sectors in this country and therefore must be stakeholders in this fight,” he said.

The 1 Million Fathers Campaign is set to be rolled out to the different regions countrywide. Its purpose is to expand the campaign, to become a national social movement building male rejection towards all form of GBV including rape, defilement, domestic violence, female genital mutulitation, child marriage, among others.

It also aims to address the root causes of gender violence by building positive male culture through a mass mobilization of men in the country opposed to GBV.

While speaking on ethical reporting when handling GBV cases, Regional Programme Associate at FEMNET Mr. Ken Otina called on media practitioners to avoid bringing in their attitude and stereotypes when reporting on gender violence.

He urged them not to be judgmental and observe confidentiality to avoid putting survivors’ live and their families at risk.

GVRC currently runs two campaigns towards prevention and response to GVB: 72 hour campaign and the one million father’s campaign that engages men and boys.

It seeks to run a nationwide campaign dubbed the “72 hour campaign” with precise messages on the hour rule in GBV management

Ms. Alberta Wambua , executive director at the GVRC said there was need to educate the public on facts regarding the 72 hour window period with specific reference both prophylactic treatment available and collection,  interpretation preservation and presentation of evidence to enhance access to justice for survivors.