Towards Zero GBV

AL I C E SP

E U S IS

16 days of activism against gender based violence

Towards Zero GBV

DECEMBER 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

New resolve against GBV takes shape Government’s new action on tackling the menace

By HENRY OWINO

S

exual and gender based violence affects women more than men in all aspects of life.

The violence is perpetrated through gender stereotyping, discrimination, biasness, stigmatisation and negativity towards women.

While the challenges facing the fight against sexual gender based violence are enormous, the government through the Ministry of Devolution and Planning has put in place a number measures to curb the vice.

Katherine Muoki, the Director of Planning and head of Gender Directorate, Ministry of Devolution and Planning Despite however says low or lack of implementation of policies and legislation, regional and international commitments and insufficient public awareness on GBV including the laws and legislation has curtailed efforts to address GBV in the country.

Muoki points out that low capacity to prevent or respond rapidly and effectively to GBV, sufficient access to appropriate health, legal and psycho-social support services and insufficient data and information on Gender-Based Violence had also undermined aspirations outlined in the global and regional human rights protocols. .

“It is an undisputed fact that the Government regards sexual and gender based violence as the worst form of human rights violations,” noted Muoki. She added: “The Government remains committed to creating a violence free society.”

Kenya prescribes to international protocols such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms

of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights among others.

Policies

Statistics from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), the police and several other sources are a clear indication on need to address SGBV. Muoki made the remarks during a symposium to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence held in Nairobi.

She noted with regret the pain and suffering of those affected and their families, the socio-economic costs related to sexual and gender based violence arising from costs of treatment, legal and judicial services as well as low productivity at the work place and loss of earnings among other concerns.

She noted that these provide the basis for Government to develop and implement policies, strategies, programmes and projects aimed at fighting sexual and gender based violence without fear or favour regardless of the perpetrators position in society.

“Closer home, our work is informed by the Constitution, Kenya 2010, Vision 2030, Second Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2013-2017 and Jubilee Manifesto among various legislation, policies and national plans,” Muoki pointed out. She added: “For instance, the National Action Plan to Aid implementation of the National Framework Towards Prevention and Response to GBV in Kenya (2010) and the National Plan of Action on Resolution 1325 are already in place.”

The others are Sexual Offences Act of 2006, Counter

Trafficking Act of 2012 and Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act of 2011, Policy framework and Guidelines for the Administration of Sexual Violence, National Guidelines on Rape and Sexual Violence Management and the Public Officers Ethics Act.

Framework

Muoki noted that Vision 2030 and the second Medium Term Plan (2013-2017) reduction in GBV is a priority.

Flagship programmes include establishment of an integrated one stop sexual and gender based violence centres in health care facilities that will offer medical, legal and psycho-social support to victims and survivors of SGBV. Also included is the public awareness campaign against FGM, early and forced marriages as well as the development and implementation of the Sexual and Gender Based Policy.

In regard to the institutional framework, the Ministry of Devolution and Planning through the Gender Directorate coordinates Gender Affairs including GBV; the National Gender and Equality Commission is responsible for monitoring compliance to laws and regulations including those related to GBV. The National Police Service has a key role and has put in place an institutional framework to deal with SGBV. For example, GBV or gender desks to deal professionally with potential victims and survivors will see an increase in recruitment of female police officers.

The Kiganjo Police Training College will include human rights content in it curriculum and there will be capacity building for law enforcement officers in how they will handle GBV.

Muoki gave an assurance that various line ministries, departments and agencies are involved in initiatives that address GBV. It is also notable that the gender mainstreaming related performance contract targets for all ministries includes development and implementation of a Gender Violence Work Place Policy.

“There are many challenges in addressing sexual gender based violence such as low or lack of implementation of policies, legislation, regional and international commitments, insufficient public awareness on GBV including the laws and legislation,” noted Muoki.

Continued on page 8

Katherine Muoki, Director of Planning and the Head of Gender Directorate, Ministry of Devolution and Planning during a symposium to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence held in Nairobi. Inset: The writing is on the wall. Speak out against rape and report.

Challenges in reporting and referral mechanisms for cases of sexual violence makes it hard for survivors to report sexual violence and receive the right medical, legal and physiological support. Photos: Henry Owino

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16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

GBV takes heavy toll on economic and health status of women

By Arthur Okwemba

A

s hundreds of women marched on the streets of Nairobi demanding for an end to gender based violence, several women were nursing battered faces at the gender recovery centres across the country.

One of these women is Mary (not her real name) who sat at the Nairobi Women Hospital Gender Recovery Centre sobbing uncontrollably following a beating by her husband.

“For the last three months, he has been assaulting me. These injuries are a proof of that.” During the same period, she missed going to work for two months as she nursed the wounds that have so far cost her over KSh40,000 to treat.

In Garissa, more than 600 kilometres away from Nairobi, Fatuma was forcibly circumcised at the age of 11 and then married at 14 years.

Agony

Nursing fistula wounds at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after she failed to get emergency obstetric care, life has been hell for Fatuma. Fatuma now stays with her parents after she was divorced for leaking urine.

And for more than three years, they have spent everything they had to help her correct the fistula condition. Fatuma’s father sold the only camel to help her go through surgery at the Garissa Provincial Hospital and this did not help.

With poverty sweeping through their household and one of her sisters dropping out of school for lack of fees; Fatuma left her fate to God. She only got the problem rectified at the

hospital with the help of well-wishers.

Doctors at the institution blamed her condition to three factors: FGM, forced early marriage and lack of emergency obstetric care.

Research

Studies show that women who have undergone FGM have higher chances of developing Vesico or Recto vaginal fistula. However, Fatuma will never regain the lost ground.

“I am too old to go back to school and my parents cannot afford to take me to a tertiary college,” she says.

Fatuma’s case is one of the many where women’s lives are destroyed every year due to negative cultural practices. Their families sink deeper into poverty as they try to correct complications of such cultural practices, things that would have been prevented in the first place. As a consequence, the country is losing human resource and contribution of these women to economic development.

These women’s stories resonate in other African societies. Due gender based violence, HIV infections, unwanted pregnancies and sometimes death, are unpleasant realities women have to confront. Many productive hours, money spent on treatment and hospitalization, which would be invested in other productive ventures, never happen.

According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2008-2009, 32 percent of the women who were violated experienced one or more types of injuries. While the study does not indicate the financial burden associated with violence, other studies have shown serious economic implications of gender based violence.

Money spent on treating injuries as well as loss of jobs and businesses are

Students of Nyeri KMTC in a procession before the opening the Nyeri gender based violence recovery centre recently at Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. Reports from Gender Recovery Centres reveal that women and girls bear the greatest brunt of pain and suffering. Below: Nyeri county Health Services executive Charles Githinji opens the Nyeri gender based violence recovery centre recently at Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. Reports from Gender Recovery Centres reveal that women and girls bear the greatest brunt of pain and suffering. Photos: Joseph Mukubwa just some of them.

Several studies have also shown that sexual violence makes women engage in unsafe sex, increasing their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV or unwanted pregnancies. All these have serious financial implications on the family in particular and the country in general as it puts pressure on scarce resources that would have been invested in other useful areas.

Impact

Studies by the UN agencies and reproductive health non-governmental organisations note that domestic violence has far reaching effects in terms of healthcare expenditures; demands on courts and losses in educational achievement and productivity, among many others.

While figures on this issue in Africa are rare to get, scenarios in other countries are a tip of the iceberg on the economic effects of GBV. A survey in India showed that women lose an average of seven working days after an incident of violence. It said this has negative implications on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in many countries.

According to a recent World Bank report: Costs and Impacts of GenderBased Violence: Methodologies and

New Estimates, by Andrew Morrison and María Beatriz Orlando, women who are victims of GBV may have lower levels of productivity on the job and earn less.

They found that GBV leads to a reduction in earnings of up to 46 percent for female survivors of GBV in Chile and Nicaragua. Similarly, the percentage of Zambian women who contracted sexually transmitted infections was 1.9 percentage points higher among victims of physical violence.

Those who contracted genital sores or ulcers was 2.8 percentage points higher among women who faced such violence.

In Chile wage losses of two percent of GDP are recorded due to gender based violence, while the Colombian government spends more than $73.7 million per year to prevent, detect and treat intimate partner violence.

Study

World Bank studies have shown increased cases of child mortality in relationships where the woman is subjected to gender based violence.

Anti-GBV advocates say a history of abuse puts women at increased risk of long-term negative health consequences such as depression, suicide, chronic pain syndromes and sexually transmitted diseases. All these

conditions need financial and human resources to manage. Women who find themselves in these scenarios are unable to be productive as they are constantly absent from work, spend a lot of money on treatment, or just die.

Interventions

The following interventions have been proposed to help reduce economic and health impacts of GBV • Empowerment of women to ensure they meet their survival needs so as to significantly reduce dependence on men.

• Donors and governments need to put more resources on gender recovery programmes that attend to women who have been violated.

• Need for subsidized health services for gender based violence survivors.

• Safe houses for violated women and children need to be built as transit point before they can be empowered to take charge of their own lives.

• Carry out civic education on the rights of women as human rights.

This should target women, men and children.

• There is need to support structural changes so women can have access to justice like their male counterparts.

December 1-16, 2013

Psychological violence hits women in Parliament

By Duncan Mboyah

G

ender Based Violence is a prevalent occurrence that takes place in all institutions including the family.

It is considered as one of the most pervasive and tolerated form of human rights violations the world over.

It has devastating effects on individuals, communities and often resulting to physical, mental and health problems hence overstretching the health facilities from their expected capacity to cope.

However, while many people would think that gender based violence affects only the poor, the fact is that it crosses all social and economic strata. While women and girls who live in poor conditions suffer physical, sexual and economic violence, those who are educated, informed and holding high positions in society are not spared.

Violations

It is a vice that has permeated even the precincts of the legislative arm of government, where laws and policies are made. Today the vice is a daily practice in parliament, the country’s law making institution.

According to Priscilla Nyokabi, Women Representative for Nyeri County, male parliamentarians violate women members’ rights by occasionally referring to them as “beautiful one” instead of simply referring to them as honourable members.

This is psychological violence and sexual harassment on the women legislators. Physical, sexual and psychological violence strikes women in epidemic proportions worldwide. It crosses every social and economic class, every religion, race and ethnicity.

From domestic abuse to rape as a

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16 days of activism against gender based violence

weapon of war, violence against women is a gross violation of their human rights.

“These sentiments are often made in bad taste given that all of us are in parliament as elected leaders and not because of our beauty,” she observes.

B

By Jeff Kirui

omet East legislator Bernard Bett will soon table a motion in Parliament seeking to push for stiffer penalties on rapists.

Bett said that the current laws were not punitive enough to deter perpetrators who were now targeting school girls.

He noted that in the recent past over 10 cases were reported with two weeks. He called on courts to impose stiffer penalties on those found to have defiled underage school girls.

Civic Education

Nyokabi notes that the way male parliamentarians look at female colleagues is also demeaning. She is calling for a civic education so that they can understand what gender based violence is all about.

The Act of Parliament talks about sexual offences, their definition, prevention, and the protection of persons unlawful sexual acts.

She notes that the patriarchal nature of African societies needs to be understood further with the aim of helping change it so that girls can be given an opportunity to conduct their affairs in a free environment.

The masculine nature of socialisation perpetuates violence because it allows men to get away with anything. This has forced women to succumb to unacceptable things as they continue to have low status in society — even in parliament — and through this violence against them remains high.

Alarm

Constitution

However, the constitution in Article 27 (3) states: Women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.”

This is further enhanced in Article 28 which states: “Every person has inherent dignity and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.”

Nyokabi is also appealing to local universities to help deconstruct socialization of men and women so that the existing gap can be bridged.

Legislator calls for stiff penalties on sex offenders

Priscilla Nyokabi, a member of KEWOPA and the Women Representative Nyeri County. Nyokabi is also the vice chair of the Legal Affairs Committee in the National Assembly.

She notes that through Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), elected women leaders have vowed to ensure that the number of female legislators increases from the current 85 to help change some of the existing laws that are retrogressive and demeaning to women.

“We have come from far but we still have to work hard to en-

sure that more women are elected in parliament to help change laws in favour of all genders in this country,” she observes.

Nyokabi notes that the Constitution has enabled women parliamentarians to chair five parliamentary committees, something that was unthinkable in the previous leadership arrangement.

Speaking at Kaparuso Secondary School during book harvest ceremony and the official opening of the school library Bett noted that cases of rape have been on the increase because the courts have been lenient on perpetrators.

“I will table on the floor of the National Assembly a Bill that seeks to impose stiffer penalties on rapists. Rapists should not be released on bond because they ruin lives of innocent Kenyans,” reiterated Bett.

He also put on notice teachers who prey on pupils urging the community to expose them so that action is taken against them.

Bett attributed the rise in rape cases to inability by the victims to access P3 forms at the hospital and demanded that the forms be issued for free.

“Victims of rape have not received much help because when they go to the hospital they are asked to pay KSh200 before they can be issued with the form,” said Bett. He added: “We want it to be provided for free because the health facilities are manned by public servants.

They should render their services freely.”

He observed that inability to hold rapists accountable has emboldened others to abuse underage girls.

Injustices

“Most of those accused of rape continue to walk scot free while survivors suffer in silence. They do not come forward to report because they fear nothing will be done for them,” he said.

Intimate partners tops the list of violence against women

By HENRY KAHARA

G

ender based violence continues to be a thorny issue despite intensified efforts by the Government and non- governmental organisations.

The public domain is awash with stories of women, children or men who have been assaulted. The surprising beat is that the heinous acts are committed by people who are very close to the victims.

According to a report released by Gender Based Violence Resource Centre (GVRC), women and girls bear the greatest brunt of pain and suffering, meaning that men are the greatest violators.

Statistics indicate that a total of 422 cases of physical assault were reported to the GVRC in 2011-2012. Women were the majority of survivors, with 322 (76 per cent) cases reported, followed by girls (45 cases), boys (38 cases) and men (17 cases).

The survey conducted in 2012, when there was much discussion in the media and elsewhere about men being targets of violent spouses, illustrates that a vast majority of sur-

vivors of reported physical violence continue to be women. Female survivors are generally targeted in their homes by former or current intimate partners and spouses.

“In 70 per cent of reported cases physical assault (402), former or current husbands or boyfriends were named as the perpetrators. This resonates very well with the data from Kenya as a whole which shows that former or current intimate partners are the most frequent perpetrators of physical violence against women.”

Factors such as chronic poverty, conflicts arising from control of family resources, cramped living space in urban settings, marital infidelity, controlling behaviours exhibited by male heads of families, and domestic violence being viewed as ‘normal’ are noted as the contributing factors.

Imbalance

Common

The report notes that GBV arises out of the imbalances in power relations that exist in society.

A total of 64 per cent of survivors of violence reported that perpetrators were ‘known’ to them.

Eleven percent of survivors refused to identify the

perpetrators (known but not mentioned), most likely due to close familiar relationships, fear or threats of further violence or even death.

The staff at the centre suspect that many perpetrators are in positions of authority and that survivors are, therefore, too afraid to report them.

The vast majority of perpetrators (90 per cent) are men.

At the same time sexual violence emerged as a common form of violence which affects mainly women.

Report

The report reveals that Nairobi has the highest the number of GBV cases which account for 73 per cent of the total of 2954 reported to GVRC. Low income areas in the city including Kibera, Kayole, Dandora, and Mwiki accounted for 44 per cent of the cases, while middle-level areas such as Umoja, South B, South C, Imara Daima, Kasarani and Donholm accounted for 22 per cent. A relatively small number of cases were reported from up-market areas such as Kileleshwa, Westlands, Chiromo, Kilimani, Parklands, Jamhuri, Lang’ata, and the Racecourse area. Other areas in the country accounted for 27 per cent of

the total cases reported.

Sexual violence remained the most commonly reported form of abuse throughout the year, following a pattern since the GVRC began its work.

Women and girls bore the greatest burden of pain and suffering. Sexual violence cases accounted for 86 per cent of the total, and physical violence cases 14 per cent, continuing a trend established over the past number of years. This reflects the fact that more people seek medical assistance at the GVRC following rape and defilement, than do survivors of physical violence.

Typically, only extreme cases of physical violence necessitating hospital care are reported.

‘Domestic’ rows over control or misappropriation of resources and decision-making processes often trigger physical fights that lead to severe injuries occurring in people’s homes and in extreme cases, death.

According to the research, some of the obstacles that bar the fight against gender based violence in Kenya include lack of serious intervention in the fight against GBV. Low reporting of the problem illustrates lack of attention to the problem rather than the absence of the problem.

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16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Community urged to embrace alternative rites of passage

By Kirui Kiplangat

undergone FGM experience various long-term effects — physical, sexual and psychological.

FGM is a violation of the rights of women as it contributes to the unequal participation of women in society and discrimination against women.

FGM attempts to control women’s sexuality and enforces stereotypes that denigrate women’s position in society. Furthermore it prevents women from advancement and full participation in society because of the painful short and long term effects.

In many societies once girls have undergone FGM, they are forced out of school into marriage without their consent and when their bodies are not yet fully developed to hold pregnancies.

“Retention, transition and completion rates among girls in schools are still very low. The most contributing factors are retrogressive cultural practices,” said Tuya.

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arok County Woman Representative Soipan Tuya has called on the Maasai community to support efforts to promote girl child empowerment.

Speaking at Murua Primary School during a ceremony where 90 girls graduated after undergoing an alternative rite of passage, Soipan said that cases of Female Genital Mutilation and early marriages continue to impact negatively on the education of the girl child.

Early and forced marriages as well as FGM are forms of violence that women and girls undergo within society as they are masked in culture. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Female genital mutilation (FGM), as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons”.

Transition

Consequences

Immediate consequences of FGM include severe pain and bleeding, shock, difficulty in passing urine, infections, injury to nearby genital tissue and sometimes death. The procedure can result in death through severe bleeding leading to haemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma, and overwhelming infection and septicaemia. In addition to the severe pain during and in the weeks following the cutting, women who have

Soipan Tuya, the Narok County Woman Representative at Murua Primary School during a ceremony where 90 girls graduated after undergoing an alternative rite of passage. Cases of Female Genital Mutilation and early marriages continue to impact negatively on the education of the girl child. Photo: Kirui Kiplagat

She noted that only 48 percent of the girls transit from primary schools to secondary schools while 35 percent of the girls drop out of secondary schools.

She appealed to the Maasai community to embrace alternative rites of passage that will guarantee enhanced access, retention and transition rates.

She dismissed the idea of rescue centres warning that such a move will not offer a solution.

“Rescue centres break families instead of

offering solutions. The image created by these centres is that girls no longer relate well with their parents. We want to appreciate practices that will see the eradication of retrogressive practices,” Tuya reiterated.

She lamented that a large percentage of pregnancies among school going girls are caused by teachers and called on the Teachers Service Commission to reign on such teachers.

Conspiracy

“It is unfortunate that the community continues to shield teachers who are responsible for the pregnancies we are witnessing in our schools. It is criminal and such teachers should face the full force of the law,” she said.

Narok County World Vision Coordinator Bernadette Loloju said her organization had initiated several activities aimed at wooing more girls to school.

“Under the alternative rite of passage, we train our girls on life skills. The sole objective of this initiative is to build these young girls self-esteem and a sense of self-worth. This will enhance their confidence and enable them talk about issues that affect them,” explained Loloju.

The World Vision has prioritised the establishment of Early Childhood and Development Education centres so as to reduce distance covered by children walking from home to school.

So far World Vision has established 41 centres.

She stated that World Vision is exploring other ways of partnering with the county government so as to improve the education standards.

Police blame weak legislations to inaction in the fight against GBV

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By Faith Muiruri

nspector General David Kimaiyo wants more enabling legislations developed to help boost the campaign against gender based violence (GBV) cases in the country.

Kimaiyo says that although the country has made tremendous progress in the creation of policies and legal framework for the prevention and mitigation of GBV, law makers must review and reformulate laws with a view to deleting clauses that condone GBV. He cited gaps in the Sexual Offences Act (2006) and the penal code which continue to undermine provisions in the Constitution reiterating that enabling legislations must be developed to help realise the gains in the supreme law.

He noted that most GBV legislations, policies and programs are reactive and thus come only to play after crime has been committed.

“There is limited attention to prevention policies and programmes to stop the perpetration of violence before it happens,” Kimaiyo noted during the launch of 16 Days of Activism against GBV in Embakasi.

He underscored the need to create a conducive legal environment to enable the police to act.

Approach

He called for a unified approach in addressing GBV cases across different service action points to help bring offenders to book.

At the same time, Kimaiyo said infrastructure under which police address GBV cases is not enabling and challenged other players including the civil society organisations

to channel part of their resources to complement government efforts in dealing with GBV cases.

He spoke as the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Ann Waiguru said that weak coordination of efforts amongst the actors and GBV responders was to blame for the sad state of affairs.

“Lack of accountability and inaction amongst duty bearers when it comes to prevention and response from security agencies, health service providers, education sector, legal justice systems and community at large constitutes a major gap in GBV management,” said Waiguru.

Constitution

Citing the Constitution which she said provided freedom from any forms of violence either in public or private, Waiguru said the Sexual Offences Act 2006, Counter Trafficking in Persons Act 2010 and Prohibition of FGM Act 2011 had created an enabling environment in the fight against GBV. She said that both the Vision 2030 and second Medium Term Plan (2013- 2017) target promotion of campaigns to eliminate retrogressive and cultural practices, making services more accessible, putting in place efficient legal system to reduce gender based violence and other human rights violations.

However, Waiguru noted that despite the policies and legal framework, the country has continued to register increased and alarming reports on GBV and singled out the rising cases of defilement and rape.

“Both the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008-2009 and the 2010 Kenya Violence against Children Survey indicate that

men are the main perpetrators of violence either as intimate partners, close relatives or persons in positions of authority,” Waiguru noted.

She pointed out that GBV has a direct link to poverty adding that women are more prone to abusive relationships due to their low social economic status.

Waiguru singled out alcoholism, drugs and substance abuse, unemployment, poverty and families living apart as having contributed to the high cases of GBV. She said that violence in whatever form is unacceptable and condemned plans to subject 1,000 girls in Baringo and Pokot to FGM as well as defilement of children and sexual violations against elderly women.

“Such cases indicate that the society’s moral fabric is in decay.

The communities look away when the violations occur. It is disheartening when children are defiled and violated most often by people they trust and look up to. We have an opportunity to use the 16 Days of Activities to curb GBV,” she stressed.

Action

Waiguru urged all the elected leaders to take GBV campaigns in their respective areas to help in the prevention of the vice which had registered unprecedented increase across the country.

She urged the police to act with diligence by protecting and promoting the rights of women, men, boys and girls without discrimination The National Equality and Gender Commission (NGEC) chairperson Winnie Lichuma called on the national government and all the 47

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo addresses guests during the launch of 16 days of Activism against gender based violence in Nairobi. Photo: Kenya Woman Correspondent county governments to prioritise funding for sexual gender based violence initiatives.

“We must invest heavily on preventive as well as rehabilitative measures to ensure that institutions that attend to these cases have the capacity to respond timely and professionally,” said Lichuma. She added: “We must extend full support to survivors through counselling services as well as access to justice and ensure that offenders are severely punished to deter a recurrence of the vice.”

Lichuma noted that studies had shown that majority of the sexual gender based violence cases are rampant in informal settlements where other forms of crimes are perpetrated, with women and children suffering the greatest brunt.

Compliance

“This is why there is the call to work with the police to boost security in these areas and also encourage the community to cooperate by reporting incidences of SGBV and

those suspected to be perpetrators,” Lichuma urged.

She said that as part of providing a comprehensive and adequate response to sexual gender based violence, the Commission will be monitoring and auditing compliance of both national and county governments, public and private sectors with laws, policies and regulations on seeking to reduce incidences of SGBV. “We shall be proposing that the evaluation of such compliance should attract rewards, incentives as well as sanctions on institutions,” Lichuma noted.

She said that NGEC will endeavour to conduct investigations and hearings on incidences of sexual gender based violence in both public and private sectors and recommend appropriate address.

She reiterated that this will enhance response mechanisms to complaints and violations in line with the principle of equality and freedom from discrimination.

December 1-16, 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

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The silent treatment …as physical and sexual violence continue to creep into the public discourse, it is not the case with psychological abuse as well as discrimination based on gender

By Joyce Chimbi

A

s the world marks yet another chapter in the fight against gender based violence, men continue to cry foul.

“Men are now been battered to death by their spouses, many more are treated as if they are invisible. They walk into their house and no one pays any attention to them,” says Peter Omondi, a resident of Olympic village, in Kibera.

According to Omondi “most men are ignored and neglected, especially if they are not bringing home any money”. Many men like Omondi claim that the fight against gender based violence has been skewed to favour women.

Justice

“This is, however, not the case.

More women are abused, and even then, a good number of them never receive justice,” says Grace Gakii, a gender expert. She adds: “Men on the other hand rarely speak out when violated, their cases only come to the light when they have been killed or nearly killed.”

Although gender based violence is not synonymous to violence against women, in many quarters, a majority of people tend to associate GBV with women and girls. Yet GBV involves violence against men and women.

However, violence against women is specifically targeted at the female.

As this misconception continues to take root, a growing number of men have found themselves on the receiving end of heinous acts of violence. Yet reports of abused men being on the receiving end continue to be received with ridicule and humour.

Even worse is the fact that in some instances, men too have lost their

lives at the hands of abusive women.

Although statistics show that an estimated 84 percent GBV perpetrators are men, experts now warn that the society can only ignore the 14 percent female perpetrators at its own peril.

“Most men are abused psychologically in their homes especially by their women. Some wives will constantly compare their husbands to other men and magnify their shortcomings,” says Omondi, who is a survivor of psychological torture from his wife of ten years. He notes that “at times women will go for many days without talking to their husbands. This is wrong, and is as painful as physical violence”.

Ken Wanjala concurs, saying Monica Wambui (head of the table) a Chief in Murang’a County discussing issues of GBV with her that “the way a woman treats you at constituents. Central Province has had increased cases of violence against men. Photo: Joyce Chimbi home, can affect a man’s self-esteem.

Men who have no jobs are the most saying that these crimes must stop, Hassan’s reality may indeed sound nately this is a perception held in affected and they continue to suffer in and all those responsible be brought too removed from their own reality most communities and one that silence”. to account,” Gakii explains. “but sadly for others, it is the only women such as Hassan unfortunately According to gender experts, the According to statistics by the reality they have ever known”. continue to perpetuate as was further society must condemn GBV regardAfrican News Agency, 70 per It is against this backdrop that confirmed in the 2003 and later 2008less of the victim. “It is not the battle of cent of illiterate persons in Kenya 2009 Kenya Demographic and Health during this period of “revisiting the the sexes. We are not trying to say that are women and that although an brutal reality that many Kenyans Survey (KDHS), where an estimated since more women have suffered for estimated 75 per cent of agricultural have had to endure, that the issue of 68 percent of women thought it was much longer, that now this is the time work force is constituted of women, GBV be treated with sober minds. justified for a man to beat his wife for for men to suffer. That is not the case,” this significant group still has little We are not trying to protect one various reasons. expounds Gakii. to show for it. gender and punish the other, we are Gakii explains that, for many, Although it is every individual’s “We are also speaking right to be free, to express themagainst discrimination. selves be it academically, politiEvery Kenyan must be cally and economically, for most enabled to live up to their women in the country, this is a potential,” Gakii says. prerogative that has remained a Further, the news mere dream. agency reveals that Take Halima Hassan for women hold about five instance, a mother of four who percent of land titles. upon visiting her home said This, coupled with tradithat she could not be of any tions, have seen women help since there was “no one” suffer a lot of violence at home. According to Hassan, especially when it comes since her husband was away, no to succession should the one else’s opinion mattered.

— P e t e r O mo n d i husband die.

Gakii says that unfortu-

“Most men are abused psychologically in their homes especially by their women. Some wives will constantly compare their husbands to other men and magnify their shortcomings.”

Poverty, drugs to blame for increased violence

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By Omar Mwalago

rug abuse, illiteracy and poverty in many parts of Coast Province are to blame for the high cases of gender based violence in the region.

This was noted by Mohammed Waziri, Gender and Social Development Officer in Msambweni subCounty, Kwale County at Ukunda Showground during the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence organised by Aphia-plus and Sauti ya Wanawake Pwani.

Waziri said that poverty remains a major cause of gender violence in the area as families differ over unlimited resources at their disposal.

“In Coast Province, poverty is the

major cause of gender based violence as men are unable to fend for their families, leading to endless family squabbles,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Omar Idd Boga, County Assembly representative of Bongwe/Gombato ward who accused men of abdicating their roles and leaving women to fend for their families.

“Men must take charge and stop indulging in excessive drinking while neglecting their families,” he said.

Waziri blamed drugs for being a major cause of violence as most of men resort to brutality and rape when under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“The use of drugs especially in Coast Province has led to many cases of rape as scores of youth are

under the influence of drugs. A normal person cannot defile a child because most of them are involved in barbaric acts,” observed Waziri.

He urged women to be at the forefront of condemning sexual offences to prevent and protect all women from illegal sexual acts.

Literacy

Waziri blamed low literacy levels in the community for heightening poverty and reiterated that this must be addressed to help curb gender based violence in the region.

This was supported by Boga who noted that illiteracy levels have gone up as minors are forced to drop out of school to engage in prostitution to complement family’s income.

His sentiments were echoed by Phyllis Sande, coordinator of the

Gender Base Violence department with Aphia-Plus, Coast region who urged women to stop using their daughters as sources of income.

“Some women are marrying off their daughters to tourists. This must stop because the girls end up leading terrible lives,” said Sande.

According to Sande, there are different ways of earning decent livelihoods without daughters being married off daughters to tourists or being involved in sex tourism.

“There is need for communities to work closely with the police at the grassroots level to curb the vice,” she said.

She added: “Many children are mistreated and harassed at the beaches. Women have a role to play to end the vice because your children bear the brunt.”

Sande also accused the community of holding on to retrogressive practices such as early marriages and warned that parents who marry off their underage girls will be prosecuted.

Retrogressive practices

“Cultural and religious beliefs have undermined the girl-child’s education. Most of them are forced to early marriages so that parents can get money to pay school fees for the sons or even for the father to add a second wife. This is not acceptable and those who engage in such acts will face the law,” Sande noted.

According to Violet Muthiga, Executive Director Sauti ya Wanawake Pwani, such practices expose the girls to risks of falling victim to fistula and unsafe abortion.

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16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Violence in the family takes newer heights

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By Ruth Omukhango

s the world celebrates the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, for Priscilla Gatoni*, these 16 days are just like any other day. Even as her predicament takes a turn for the worst, Gatoni remains oblivious of the significance of this period, particularly for other women sharing in her plight.

Having been married at early age after the death of her mother, her life has never been a bed of roses. Due to poverty, she opted to marry her current husband who was a widower. She thought that marriage would be a solution to her woes but that was not to be. Her relationship has been coupled with pain and anguish. She succumbed to domestic violence, being beaten by her husband and eventually abandoned.

The 35 year old mother has five children whose eldest daughter is aged 18 years while the youngest is aged one year. She lives at the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) slums near Kariobangi South and has been left at the mercy of well wishers. Unlike other mothers, Gatoni is unable to fend for her children. The once vibrant woman who used to wash clothes in the affluent estates within her locality, Gatoni has been reduced to seeking for daily assistance from the neighbours and well-wishers to put food on the table.

Incapacitated

I used to wash clothes for my friends at Kariobangi South but now I cannot work because my husband beats me and has twisted my hands and eventually abandoned us to marry another woman,” says Gatoni.

She is also unable to pay rent of KSh1,500 per month and only depends on well-wishers who are also not easy to come by. Worse still, she has a four year old daughter who is disabled and she has been unable to enrol her into a special school.

According to Teresa Wambui, a volunteer Counsellor at Kariobangi South, Gatoni’s case on domestic abuse was reported to the chief but her husband has never been summoned todate. She adds that they were advised to report the matter to the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya but they are yet to go to there.

Although she has received assistance from Health Assistance Kenya which operates the emergency sms number 1195 for gender based violence cases, there is need for a permanent solution.

As the days go by, Gatoni watches her life going downhill, yet her hope and strength lie in the future and in the joy of seeing her children grow.

Yet Gatoni’s story is like so many others.

Battering, Rape and Lethal Violence (2012) report shows that a significant number of women are at risk of abuse from intimate partners.

Unfortunately, only an estimated 12 percent of abused women report to the authority. Gatoni’s story represents many women suffering in families through domestic violence.

Vulnerable

Although most of the cases reported reflect women and children as those violated, but with the increased cases of gender based violence in homes no one is safe in the family. For instance, in a majority of rape and defilement cases, at least 64 percent according to government statistics occur within homes.

Cases of men as victims of domestic violence are also being reported. Children are also not spared within the family with a majority of abused girls, up to 60 per cent, report to have been first assaulted when they were aged between six and 12 years.

According to Noreen Adhiambo, a Programme Officer at the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness based in Kibera, although many of the cases are reported by young women, a number of men reporting to have been violated within the family is

Survivors of Gender Based Violence at the Mary Faith Centre in Dagoretti, Nairobi where they are being supported to rebuild their lives. Below: Mary Njeri who runs the centre which houses more than 500 girls who are survivors of gender violence in families.

Photo: George Ngesa increasing. Statistics from the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) indicated that 45 per cent of women between ages 15 to 49 in Kenya have expe­ri­enced either phys­i­cal or sex­ual violence with women and girls accounting for 90 percent of the gender based violence (GBV) cases reported.

Sexual abuse, the GVRC report indicates, is the most commonly reported form of abuse suffered by victims. Between 2011 and 2012, of all the cases reported 2,532 were sexual and 422 physical violence, and of these 90 per cent of all reported cases of gender violence are reported by women and girls, 10 per cent by men or boys.

Prevalence

Adhiambo adds that GBV within the families is greater in the urban slums as compared to the average income families. With poverty being one of the greatest factors that has pushed families to financial insecurity; the role of a man has been established as that of a leader and a provider and in some cases where a man fails to establish his authority in these areas, he ends up resorting to physical abuse.

Since the establishment of CREAW offices in Kibera, they receive between 60 to 80 new cases of gender based violence weekly, a majority of which are family related.

A study conducted by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) in Korogocho and Viwandani slums on understanding the behaviour of men in urban slums, revealed that livelihoods are key to understanding violence among Kenyan slum men.

Poverty

Lack of opportunities and poor livelihoods have created the most sinister forms of poverty in a context where manliness is associated with the capacity to provide and fend for families and households.

According to Mary Njeri who runs the Mary Faith Centre based in Dagoretti that has so far housed more than 500 girls since its inception

in 2004, cases of gender violence in families are escalating.

Njeri notes that this year alone they have received cases of three women murdering their husbands and nine husbands killing their wives in Dagoretti.

The centre has also recorded over 143 cases of domestic violence with cases of defilement recorded as the highest.

Like other urban slums, Njeri also singled out poverty as one of the greatest issues that affects families and triggers various challenges in the society that result in GBV within families.

Alcohol abuse In Kawangware, for example, both men and women have resorted to drug and alcohol abuse in order to forget their problems but this has only exacerbated violence within the family.

Njeri notes that most of the children who have been violated and housed at her centre come from a family set up.

“When a mother abandons her children and leaves them with their own fathers, some of them are automatically converted into wives and hence fathers violate their own children. Some boys are also sodomised by their own fathers.”

Violations

Due to lack of space, most families have to put up in one roomed houses as they cannot afford to more rooms in the urban slums. This leaves children exposed to sexual behaviours at a very tender age. It is at this stage that brothers violate their own sisters.

According to Njeri, some of these families have relatives who end up defiling children living with them and those who are mainly affected are orphans and abandoned children.

Cultural practices such as polygamy in the urban slums continue to expose both women and children to violence. According to Adhiambo, the case of Kibera where men marry many women and are unable to maintain their wives and children expose them to prostitution within the slums in order to put food on the table.

Other retrogressive cultures such as battering a woman as a way of discipline is acceptable within the urban slum.

Capacity

Although the Government has also paid attention to gender violence and the Sexual Offences Act 2006 in addressing sexual violence against women in Kenya, there is much that needs to be done to protect women if this vice is to be curtailed.

“Issue of gender based violence have to be given attention as today we bring up a bitter girl who will become a bitter women and who will give birth to a bitter child,” comments Njeri She notes that in the course of their work, some of the challenges that need to be addressed include building capacity for women especially in urban slums as most women die in the hands of their husband since most of the young women are illiterate and have to hang on to their husbands despite the pain and suffering.

She notes that despite legislation being in place, the practice remains to be a challenge. The procedures required to open cases of sexual violence currently take too long as documentation required is not stationed in once place.

There is need for the Government to create a special unit that has qualified police officers to handle cases of violence in order to expedite the process of justice.

December 1-16, 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

7

Response to gender based violence disjointed

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By Jane Godia

s we mark the International Day of Human Rights, at the end of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence that started on November 25, the ghost of gender based violence and especially violence against women hangs over our heads.

Statistics on GBV remain startling and overwhelming even as violence against women remains the most pervasive violation of human rights.

Even while countries have concentrated more on response than prevention of violence against women, the vice leaves women demoralised, lowering their self-esteem, hurting their economic and social activities and leaving them traumatised.

Gender based violence robs mothers and daughters of opportunities that could take their standards of living to the next level while at the same time undermining their safety and human rights, posing as a huge obstacle to development.

Even during conflict, violence occurs as a by-product of social order or as a tool to terrorise individuals and families as well as precipitate their expulsion from the communities they live in.

During the 2007-2008 post-election violence for instance, there was widespread discrimination, threats of violence, verbal abuse, defamation propaganda, bribery, claims of rigging, widespread rape, sexual mutilation, ethnicised sexual targeting, violence in internally displaced people’s camps, family intimidation and widespread impunity.

However, in Kenya response to gender based violence is wanting.

According to a book by Claire Mc Evoy, battering Rape and Lethal Violence: A Baseline of Information on Physical Threats against Women in Nairobi, the country has a disjointed system in response to violence that lacks a genuinely holistic, and multisectoral approach, namely one that involves the medical sector, police, prisons, justice actors and traditional authorities.

Gaps

It states: “Current procedures for survivors of violence are disconnected, cumbersome, time consuming, at times confusing, are not affordable for low income women. The cost of pursuing a case in the formal justice system without multiple levels of financial and other assistance from a non-governmental organisation or pro-bono lawyer is prohibitive. The absence of funds may even prevent a woman from accessing a hospital where forensic evidence can be gathered. Most survivors arrive in hospitals in packed matatus in the absence of an accessible, government run ambulance system.

“Pursuing a case means numerous trips to a medical facility, police, police doctor and the courts; frequently being unable to work, having to organise babysitters for the children, and finding transportation money each time including for taxis for the police to transport forensic evidence to the government chemist for examination.”

According to the survey, in practice, Nairobi’s current gender based violence management system — which is undoubtedly the best in

Kenya — is tacked against the survivor of violence from the start due to a lack of integrated teamwork. The criminal justice agencies cannot perform if the police are not on board; the police cannot perform if forensic evidence is not collected by health professionals; health professionals cannot perform if society encourages women not to seek medical help.

Efforts

During the National gender based violence held in Nairobi in September, it was noted that there was weak coordination efforts among actors and GBV responders. There is also lack of accountability and inaction amongst the duty bearers when it comes to prevention and response from security agencies, health service providers, the education sector, legal justice systems and the community at large.

According to Betty Murungi, a peace and GBV advisor “the State should respond to GBV because it is a human rights issue and not a private matter.”

She notes that although policing as a sector is under-resourced, personnel manning gender desks that are supposed to respond to GBV are never there, and when they are, they are never trained.”

“The country does not even have a forensic laboratory to ensure samples stay in a laboratory that does not allow it to be compromised,” noted Murungi.

These sentiments are echoed by Superindent Marysella Andanje who notes that police officers lose cases because GBV cases cannot be exhaustively prosecuted within 48 hours. So many cases are lost within the course of investigation because police lack facilitation to enable them exhaustively investigate.”

According to Andanje, the legal framework is not comprehensive enough to tackle emerging issues of GBV and coordination among key players in the sector is lacking.

“If we are to deal with GBV cases seriously, we must lobby the government to have GBV and sexual offences cases taken seriously. There is need to allocate vehicles and resources to specifically deal with GBV and child abuse cases.”

This is reinforced further by medical officers who shy away from giving evidence in court.

Evidence

According to Dr Pamela Godia, Programme Officer Division of Reproductive Health: “Health personnel shy away from giving evidence in court while police are not comfortable asking questions during the course of investigations.”

Tabitha Oula from the Office of the Deputy Public Prosecutor says response to gender based violence can only be of help to survivors of violence if the linkages are strong with a holistic system to enable the survivor obtain formal justice.

Oula suggests a strategic approach in sensitising the public not only about gender based violence but also sexual gender based violence. She says there is need to review and re-evaluate the legal framework to build in on issues arising and establishment and operationalization of sexual offences, gender violence and victims’ rights section.

This is echoed by Murungi who

Government institutions remain a major obstacle for GBV survivors in their quest for justice: The country has a disjointed system in response to violence that lacks a genuinely holistic, and multisectoral approach, namely one that involves the medical sector, police, prisons, justice actors and traditional authorities. Photo: File notes: GBV will not be eradicated if there is no commitment and political will from government.

All GBV legislation, policies and programmes are reactive and thus only come into effect after a fact of violence. There is limited prevention

policies and programmes to stop perpetration of violence before it happens. This may include education, information and awareness raising at personal and social levels. There must be a change of mind-sets at family and community level to ensure that ending

GBV is everyone’s responsibility.

There should be a shift in norms and behaviours through education and change in attitudes. Addressing GBV must be at the centre of socioeconomic development with strong legal frameworks for GBV.

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16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Fight bogged down by lack of finances

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By Duncan Mboyah

ender Based Violence is a vice that is perpetrated by many causes that include drunkenness, substance abuse, unemployment, poverty, families living apart and HIV status among others.

GBV takes on many forms and can occur throughout one’s life and widespread gender inequalities also fuel gender based violence. Gender-based violence is noted to be rooted in structural inequalities between men and women and is characterized by the use and abuse of physical, emotional, and or financial power and control. According to advocates in the fight against GBV, the vice including psychological and sexual abuse, often represents a perverse expression of dissatisfaction with regard to power and self-worth on the part of the perpetrator.

Even though majority of survivors remain silent after the event, the menace has an economic impact on the government and the victims.

Gender based violence often turns healthy, responsible and

productive people into recipients of charity and support from service providers and families.

“By the time the victims suffer with injuries, they are forced to incur costs on medication, care and rehabilitation,” says Betty Murungi, gender and peace expert.

However, Murungi blames lack of political will from the Government in allocating funding in policing and creating awareness as a major obstacle in war against gender based violence.

“Political will can be expressed by allocating adequate resources to GBV programming through gender sensitive budgeting,” explains Murungi.

Resources

Murungi notes that access to justice is jeopardized by poorly resourced police system that lacks equipment and personnel to ensure that cases of GBV are acted on and prosecuted.

She adds: “Lack of coordination is to blame for the escalating cases of GBV in the country.”

According to Josphat Ire, a gender officer at the Ministry of Devolution and Planning, the government is working at developing funds that will enable

advancing of loans to all genders to help create self-reliance.

Opportunities

“The programmes are aimed at eradicating GBV at the constituency level given that the vice needs a planned attention and involvement of all stakeholders for it to be wiped out,” notes Ireri.

According to Ireri, women should utilise existing business opportunities by applying for loans from Women Enterprise Fund and also seeking political positions that have been created by the Constitution.

“Women just like men have the power to start their own businesses and also run for positions of leadership,” he says.

Ireri notes that in one of every four poor people, three are women yet the funds are available for women’s development so as to make them self-reliant and economically independent.

Women can also empower themselves by procuring tenders from national and county governments as a way of improving their lives.

Through Vision 2030, the government plans to have a sustained development plan that will cater for all genders.

Betty Murungi, gender and peace expert. Murungi blames lack of political will from the Government in allocating funding in policing and creating awareness as a major obstacle in war against gender based violence

Push for the creation of GBV centre in Kilifi

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By Yusuf Amin

n an effort to curb widespread cases of gender based violence in Kilifi County, the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya has underscored the need to harmonise the provision of services in the area.

According to Alice Maranga, a programme officer with FIDA, there is need to come up with a one stop GBV center to ease victims’ access to services.

Speaking at a forum for county development committee members attended by senior police officers and representatives from the Ministry of Health at the Kilifi Bay Resort, Maranga noted that there was a need to come up with a one stop GBV center where all persons concerned with handling of cases will be located.

She noted that FIDA will assist the centre acquire the right skills on handling sexual and gender based violence cases.

Capacity

“There is need to build capacity in the county governments to help come up with good policies to deal with GBV cases at the lower levels,” explained Maranga. She added: “Awareness creation is still dire within the police and at the community level and, therefore, dialogue is critical.”

She noted that culture is the main hindrance where most of the community members are still attached to traditional norms.

She reiterated the importance of

reporting and seeking immediate medical attention to prevent loss of evidence.

Speaking at the same function, June Ashioya, an advocate of the High Court warned that individuals who interfere with police investigations risk a three years jail term.

“Bribing the complainant to withdraw a case is also an offence,” she explained.

Ashioya urged the community to collaborate with the police by giving full information to aid in the arrest of perpetrators.

Assurance

Ganze police boss Jacob Kanaki assured area residents that a defilement suspect currently on the run will be arrested.

Speaking on phone, Kanaki dismissed claims by Kilifi County Women Representative Asha Jumwa Karisa that police might be shielding the suspect.

“Police officers cannot do that.

It is not professional and I want to assure the residents of Ganze that the suspect will be arrested and arraigned in court,” Kanaki said.

He added: “Sometimes locals do not help us in identifying criminals within their midst. We need to cooperate so that we can apprehend suspects.”

The suspect is accused of defiling a 12-year-old girl in Dungicha village. The victim is a pupil at Maojo Primary School in Ganze Constituency.

Kilifi County Woman Representative Asha Jumwa addresses residents in Ganze where she asked the police to arrest those who are involved in gender based violence. Below: Women in Kilifi follow keenly during the function. Photos: Yusuf Amin

December 1-16, 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

9

Hotline helping violence survivors receive quick help

By Duncan Mboyah

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ender Based Violence (GBV), which is aggression meted on women, men and children.

However, lately sexual violence is emerging as being rampant in Kenya in the face of increased societal changes.

From January to November 30, about 6,633 victims reported to have been violated by their relatives or strangers in the country.

Out of this number, rape accounted for 295 cases, 1,341 were physically assaulted, 419 defiled and 2,155 psychologically tortured.

“The number of cases increased in November to 1,030 from 993 in October due to awareness that we have done within the 16 days of activism against gender based violence,” explains Craig Akoto, head of call centre at the Healthcare Assistance Kenya (HAK).

Awareness

Akoto attributes the increase in reported cases to the awareness creation sessions that HAK has been doing through the media and public meetings during this period.

According to Akoto, Kawangware, a slum in Nairobi County accounted for the highest number of GBV cases, making the County lead in GBV cases in the country.

According to reports received by HAK, 189 women were forced into marriage, 89 cases were of sodomy, 235 drug abuse related and 302 child abuse.

He notes that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases have increased in Narok and Kisii counties accounting to 33 cases in November.

“Majority of GBV survivors are women and children even though many people are unwilling to report abuses meted against them,” observes Akoto.

Counsellors

His sentiments are echoed by Fanis Lisiagali HAK Project Director who notes: “GBV survivors are using our system and sharing their situation. This helps in getting quick services that help save their lives.”

HAK has a team of counsellors who are on line 24 hours a day giving victims and survivors instructions on what to do or where to report to immediately.

HAK was forced to start a hotline following the high number of people who are sodomised, raped and physically assaulted

and with no route for recourse.

Women and children who undergo untold suffer silently due to fear, stigma, poverty and lack of knowledge should use the hotline number 1195 in the event of being sexually abused.

Response

HAK got the hotline code 1195 at no fee from the Communication of Kenya (CCK) and with additional support from mobile phone providers Safaricom, Yu and Airtel. The number has been from operational since February 2012 offers services to the GBV victims.

“The rate at which people are using the number is amazing and they are also able to narrate their problems. When these cases are Fanis Lisiagali, HAK Project Director displays campaign materials. HAK started a hotline reported, the police are informed following the high number of people who are sodomised, raped and physically assaulted and for quick intervention,” explains with no route for recourse.

Lisiagali.

The number is also being used operation is done the survivor is called and Lisiagali notes that whereas women and to educate victims and survivors Short Message Service (SMS) text is sent by young girls are at risk, elderly women, men through teleconferencing counselling on the control centre to his/her phone that is and the deaf are equally not safe. how to preserve the evidence when sexually addressed to the hospital. assaulted.

The message directs the medical officer They are advised against bathing and Given the work that the programme is doon duty to attend to the survivor and admit washing clothes once assaulted as this erases ing countrywide, there are plans to expand them in the right ward. It also informs them proof, making the work of medical personit to all parts of the country. not to ask for any payments. nel difficult in gathering evidence against the However, despite the success, Akoto says “We are doing this to keep the confidentialperpetrators. that the programme is facing challenges that ity of the survivors since those who are raped are partly contributing to slowing operaare sensitive, traumatised and find it difficult to tions in assisting the victims. narrate their experience,” Lisiagali explains.

HAK also helps in linking victims with “Delayed rescue operation by ambuThe system has helped put perpetrators service providers like the Kenya Red Cross lances due to their other itineraries, delayed on notice since they know that the hotambulance service, public hospitals as well as justice by police and local administrations line exists and it is being used by women the gender based violence recovery centres all attitude of covering up cases of FGM are including the deaf people who are equally over the country. denying victims their right,” says Akoto. endangered.

According to Lisiagali, once the rescue He says culture and tradition are a stumbling block noting that in most communities where FGM is practiced, people are unwilling to speak out whenever the vice is committed against girls.

HAK works in Nairobi, Vihiga and Kisumu counties but is working on plans to start work in the remaining 44 counties.

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, HAK created awareness in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kisumu, Kisii, Migori, Taita Taveta, Lamu, Kwale and Nairobi.

— Fa n i s L i s i a g ali Since hotline was launched, HAK has received 15,200 cases from victims of violence.

Expansion

Referrals

“GBV survivors are using the system and sharing their experiences. This helps in etting quick services that help save their lives.”

Government’s new action on tackling the menace

Continued from page 1 Others include low capacity to prevent or respond rapidly and effectively to sexual gender based violence, sufficient access to appropriate health, legal and psycho-social support services as well as insufficient data and information on gender-based violence in Kenya, among other challenges.

“There are key strategies that the government will continue to implement which would be carried forward through promoting and strengthening a multisectoral approach so as to ensure that all sectors address gender based violence comprehensively,” Muoki explained.

She reiterated that the national government is moving forward

with addressing sexual gender based violence and it will continue to engage in strategic partnerships with state and nonstate actors.

She noted this would involve taking recognition of different mandates, strengths and comparative advantage of each activity.

However, Muoki clarified that it should not appear like state and

non-state actors are competing among themselves. “If the Government harness its efforts and all stakeholders work collectively, it means they are bound to make better progress and good use of the limited resources in eliminating sexual gender based violence crimes,” explained Muoki.

She added: “As we carry out this work, I wish to call upon

our partners in private sectors to work with us so that we ensure a well-coordinated and sustained approach in supporting sexual gender based violence work in the country.”

In addition, Muoki noted that she is ready and available to form strategic partnerships with all actors in preventing and responding to SGBV cases as first as possible.

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16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Police on the spot as Kenyans mark 16 Days of Activism

By Faith Muiruri

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All eyes are on the police force as Kenyans mark this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Majority feel that while the country has robust legislations, GBV cases continue unabated.

The Violence against Children in Kenya: Findings from a 2010 National Survey revealed that 32 per cent of females and 18 per cent of males had experienced sexual violence prior to reaching 18 years.

The survey also found that 66 per cent of females and 73 per cent of males experienced physical violence as a child. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) of 20082009 shows that 39 per cent of females had experienced physical violence since age 15, and almost one in four had experienced such violence in the year preceding the survey.

This is despite the fact that there are numerous laws that respond to Female Genital Mutilation, sexual offences and human trafficking.

Framework

The country has a GBV framework for prevention and response, a GBV policy currently under development among other progressive legislations.

However, police have largely been blamed for inaction despite the numerous enabling legislations to aid in the prosecution of offenders.

While victims of violence depend on police to collect evidence for prosecution and guide them to follow-on care; majority have to fend for themselves in their cry for justice as police remain insensitive to their plight.

“Police are often the first members of government to provide care for victims and meet them at a critical moment when they are most vulnerable and thus require essential skills to be able to understand their needs, and use best practices for assessing these cases,” explained Robert Godec, United States of America Ambassador to Kenya.

His sentiments were echoed by Bouri Jean Victor Sanhouidi, UNFPA country representative, who noted that legislations can only be effective if communities and law enforcement agents are committed to enforcement.

Sanhouidi observed that both police and communities need to play a more active role in preventing and responding to GBV in the community.

Train

“The responsibility of upholding the law in the prevention and response to GBV lies with multiple actors but primarily, the responsibility rests with the community and the police,” explained Sanhouidi.

Speaking at the launch of 16 Days of Activism against GBV in Embakasi, Sanhouidi challenged police to ride on existing legal machinery to bring offenders to book.

He underscored the need to train police officers on how to adequately and sensitively respond to GBV survivors.

“The nature of GBV requires that its survivors be treated in a specialised and sensitive way and thus the need to build the capacity of police to enable them deal with GBV cases,” explained Sanhouidi.

He said that UNFPA, UN Women, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) along with other partners have been supporting efforts by the Government to train police officers on the prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act and the Sexual Offences Act.

Resources

“We have also pushed for the mainstreaming of gender in the police curriculum and training them to provide a survivor centred response to GBV survivors,” Sanhouidi.

At the same time, he underscored the need to adequately resource the police to enable them be proactive in addressing GBV cases.

Sanhouidi called on members of the public to work closely with the police to help curb the rising cases of GBV. “The community is the first line of defence for GBV. Communities have a responsibility to protect children, men and women from GBV. Practically, the community can assist in prevention and response for GBV in tandem with the police on evidence collection and preservation, awareness raising, protecting survivors and in not shielding the perpetrators from the full brunt of the law.

Sanhouidi pointed out that countries like Rwanda have registered remarkable progress in addressing GBV cases.

“Rwanda police force boasts of a well-resourced gender violence desk with specially trained officers who play a critical role in addressing and responding to GBV,” Sanhouidi said.

The GBV desk in Rwanda is equipped with a hotline where cases of GBV are reported. “This has in turn strengthened their efforts in collection of evidence on GBV with stronger cases presented in court, leading to higher rates of prosecution and low attrition in GBV cases,” explained Sanhouidi who urged the Kenya Police Service to equip their gender units.

Skills

Godec, on the other hand, underscored the need to equip police officers with requisite skills to enable them deal with gender-based violence cases.

Cabinet Secretary for Planning and Devolution Ann Waiguru (centre), with US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Codec during the launch of 16 days of Activism against gender violence in Nairobi. Below: Waiguru leads other guests in a jig during the launch. Photo: Kenya Woman Correspondent He noted that the Government has also hired new police physicians in Nairobi over the last one year to help victims seek justice.

Godec called for concerted efforts to prevent and end violence against women adding that strong laws and excellent work by the security services will stop violence against women in Kenya and everywhere in the world.

He said focusing on the role of security forces, as this year’s theme

in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women will lead to greater accountability and ensure women secure justice.

“Violence against women is indiscriminate and affects all women regardless of status. I have heard from women who work on farms, stores and factories describe the devastating effects of violence. Their physical and emotional pain keeps them from their work; not only do they suffer but their families

“Police require essential skills because they are often the first members of government to provide care for victims and meet them at a critical moment.”

— Ro b e r t Go d e c

suffer as they lose the wages needed to feed their children.

“I have seen prominent businesswomen and politicians suddenly step away from public limelight with no explanation, only to learn later they were victims of devastating violence that silenced them and required years of recovery. Many leave their companies and other positions altogether,” Godec noted.

Impact

He said that an estimated one in three women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

“Violence against women cuts across ethnic, racial, socio-economic and religious lines, and knows no borders.

Godec observed that the 21st Century presents an opportunity for all to completely and utterly reject violence against women.

“We cannot accept or tolerate the terrible harm it does to our mothers and daughters, to our friends and colleagues,” he said.

December 1-16, 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

11

It takes a village to raise a child

Gone are the days when a child was the responsibility of the society, now, scores of children are abused and a majority of the perpetrators go unpunished, writes Joyce Chimbi

E

xperiences of childhood have significantly changed as more and more children are ushered in to the brutal world of sexual, physical and psychological violence.

Statistics now show that for a significantly high number of abused children, the initial age of abuse has been reported to be between six and 12 years.

Even worse is the fact that the perpetrators are rarely punished which has inspired other potential offenders. According to experts, a majority of these children are abused by people they know, including parents and guardians.

Safety

While years gone by children were cushioned from traumatic experiences by parents as well as the society at large, this is no longer the case.

Take the case of Sara* for instance, she is only six years old and her life has been changed irrevocably.

She had been left under the care of her uncle when the unthinkable happened.

“He defiled her and it is not the first time. We first noticed there was a problem when she completely withdrew. She was originally very talkative and active,” explains Sara’s mother.

But on questioning her, Sara kept mum. It later emerged that the uncle

had threatened to slit her mother’s throat if she spoke out against him.

Perry Njeri, a child psychologist, explains that these are some of the tactics perpetrators of violence use to abuse children and buy their silence.

“They threaten them with violence and those that the child in question holds near and dear,” notes Njeri.

Nairobi Women’s Hospital, which has a gender based violence and recovery centre (GBVRC) receives at least 18 cases of rape and incest daily.

A majority of these cases, according to the hospital, occur in homes.

Data

The Nairobi Women Hospital Gender Violence Recovery Centre (2013) study shows that an estimated 64 per cent of gender based violence cases occur in the survivor’s home.

Other statistics by the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, as well as the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2009 show that a quarter of girls aged 12 and 24 were forced into their first sexual encounter. Even more worrying is that just like Sara, an estimated 60 percent of these girls reported that the first abuse occurred when they were between six and 12 years.

Gender experts such as Suzie Nyambane note that the figures are by no means representative of the

Innocent: Minors have not been spared of sexual, physical and psychological violence. Statistics now show that for a significantly high number of abused children, the initial age of abuse has been reported to be between six and 12 years. Photo: Joseph Mukubwa situation on the ground. “These figures have only scratched the surface and it is worse in urban informal settlements,” says Nyambane.

She adds: “Scores of girls have been scarred for life, they grow up afraid, with very skewed perceptions of men and even sex. Some even become pregnant without even comprehending what was done to them.”

However, it is emerging that boys are also on the receiving end of sexual violence. “They are sodomised and scarred for life,” explains Njeri.

Campaign

According to Nyambane, there is need to revamp awareness campaigns around violence against children by integrating it within school curriculum.

“One of the reasons why violence against children goes largely unreported is because the children do not realise that what has been done to them is wrong. Children should be raised with the awareness that certain parts of their bodies are private.”

Gender activists claim that the ‘village’ has abandoned children.

Gone are the days when children belonged to the society.

“In instances where a child has been violated, you will find that some neighbours knew and turned a blind eye. We need to revisit the values that we once held and embrace children like they belong to all of us,” notes Njeri.

She says that it is unfortunate that children are generally not safe. “They are unsafe on the playground, in schools and even worse, at home.”

Nyambane says that since violence against children is underreported, available data downplays the extent and degree of the problem.

For instance, according to KDHS 2008-2009, only about 12 percent of women who had been assaulted either physically or sexually reported the incident to an authority.

“Even fewer cases involving children are reported,” reiterates Nyambane.

Justice

The road to justice has never been more difficult. Community health workers who are constantly con-

fronted by incidents of violence against children at the community level are particularly concerned over the many loopholes that make prosecuting such cases difficult.

Some of the hurdles include the requirement that one produces a birth certificate during the legal proceedings.

Nyambane says that cases involving children are often presented by outsiders, particularly community health workers. “They do not have the child’s birth certificate and it is usually with a parent or guardian who is often unwilling to proceed with the case, or is the perpetrator.”

However, Njeri says that in spite of the legal hurdles involved, there is need for the society, through various platforms such as the chief’s baraza and County governments to establish safety mechanisms for children.

“Some children are forced into hard labour, especially those who have survived their parents, others into early marriages, others are defiled even before they are out of their diapers, this must stop,” Njeri notes.

Haunted by bitter memories despite tender age

H

BY HENRY KAHARA

ardly can you tell what they have been through when you first meet them. However, it takes time before you will realise that each one of them has a story to tell.

Seven-year-old Jennifer Arunga (not her realname) is a survivor of defilement. She was defiled when she was only three years old, but despite the tender age, memories of what happened on that day are still fresh in her mind A class one pupil, Jennifer narrates the story which took place three years ago as if it happened yesterday. “Dad alifika nyumbani kabla ya mum kufika akatununulia chakula, baada ya kula akampeleka ndugu yangu mdogo kwa kitanda halafu akanifanyia tabia mbaya, (Dad came back home before mum.

After giving us food, he took my small brother to bed before he abused me),” she narrates.

Although Jennifer has gone for psycho-social therapy at Kenyatta National Hospital, the event is still fresh in her mind.

Vulnerability

Jennifer is not alone. Fourteen year old Anita Wanja (not her real name) also has a story to tell. “I was living with my step-mother. My father had divorced my mother. Trouble began after class eight. My father never had enough money to pay school fees for me and my stepbrother who was also joining high school. They decided to take my step-brother to school first,

promising that I will join him later.

“After one year at home, my step-mother promised to take me to a polytechnic but she told me I have to work in order to raise half of my school fees. I was to work in her house.

At this time I never knew where my mother was, since they had separated with my father.

“I worked for her but she never paid me.

When I asked for payment she told me I have to sleep with her son first before she parts with the cash.

“At first I slept with him but she still refused to give me my money. She told me to sleep with him again but this time I refused because I learnt that they were abusing me,” explains Anita.

Abuse

Thirteen-year-old Lynne Mugenda (not her real name) is also another victim. She is a forced survivor of labour. Lynne was trafficked to Nairobi while she was nine years old when she was employed to work at a home Karen in Nairobi.

“I was brought to Nairobi by a woman from my rural area who took me to Karen to take care of a baby, explains Lynne.

“My employer’s daughter had delivered while still in school. The daughter was in Form Four, so I was employed to take care of that baby. Above that I was to take care of the garden and cook for the family,” says Lynne.

The woman who brought Lynne to Nairobi was her mother’s friend and she took advantage of the fact that her mother was bed

ridden at that time.

“When I was brought to Nairobi, mum was very sick and at that time my sister and I used to fend for our family needs. We could work in miraa farms so that we could get food,” says Lynne, who is currently in Standard Four.

According to Grace Wangeci, Executive Director Gender Violence Recovery, sexual harassment is a global problem and one of the main challenges faced with under reporting. “Challenges in reporting and referral mechanisms for cases of sexual violence makes it hard for survivors to report sexual violence and receive the right medical, legal and physiological support they need,” explains Wangeci. She adds: “This leaves the victim vulnerable to STIs, unwanted pregnancies as well as physical and physiological trauma.”

According to Mary Njeri, founder Mary Faith Children’s Centre, it is hard to delete the gender based violence experiences from the victims mind.

“Each of them has a story to tell and they narrate it as if it has just happened. They cannot forget,” says Njeri, noting that most of the children she is taking care of are very promising academically going with the grades in their school work.

Proposals

Njeri urges the Government and nongovernmental organisations to team up and relentlessly fight GBV. Violence against children and exploitation of children are global social, economic, human rights and public health issues with significant negative consequences.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all children have the right to be protected against all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation.

The short and long term effects of such violence and exploitation are severe, not only for the survivors but also for families and communities and constitute a serious societal concern.

Sexual violence against children is particularly pressing. In 2002, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under the age of 18 had experienced sexual violence involving physical contact.

The 2005 WHO multi-country study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women found that between one and 21 per cent of women surveyed experienced sexual abuse before the age of 15.

Findings

The survey indicates that nearly half of all perpetrators of the first incident of childhood sexual violence among those aged 18 to 24 were boyfriend, girlfriends or romantic partners (47.3 per cent among females and 42.7 per cent among males) followed by neighbours (27.4 per cent among females and 21.1 per cent among males) and family members (15.3 per cent among females and 11.5 per cent among males). For both females and males, relatively few perpetrators were unknown or strangers (5.9 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively).

12

16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Kibera remains a haven of sexual violence crime

C

By Henry Owino

ases of sexual abuse and gender based violence in Kibra Constituency remains a hard nut to crack.

Most cases are domestic and community human rights violation such as rape, incest and defilement Today many young girls and women live in fear of being raped in Kibera.

Rarely does a single day pass without an act of sexual abuse or gender based violence taking place. Majority of those who are sexually abused are teenage girls most of whom are in primary or secondary schools.

“My advice to survivors of rape is that they should report the matter as soon as possible. There are contact numbers for the organisations which help in SGBV cases all over Kibera.

We need to have the contacts because you never know if you will be the next target,” urges a survivor who sought anonymity.

Campaign

This is despite the presence of several civil society organisations and government agencies engaged in tackling and dealing with these heinous acts.

Almost all the organisations have launched numerous campaigns to create awareness on the vice. They have educated residents on their human rights, how to report vices and avoid being victims of such dangerous acts.

Notwithstanding, there is an established outreach centre at District Commissioner’s grounds that acts as One Stop Platform for survivors of gender based violence (GBV). It provides solution to survivors of rape and other cases of gender based violence in Kibera.

The outreach centre is a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and it is run by Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW) also called Kibera Satellite Office. It provides solutions to women, men and children who are survivors of GBV. In addition, it coordinates all other

over 20 different GBV organisations working towards eliminating violence against women in Kibra Constituency and the neighbouring constituencies.

Dilemma

However, despite the presence of GBV groups, violence targeting women and girls is still going on. Survivors of GBV blame some of the rescue centres for sluggish responses despite posting their contact numbers all over the streets.

“It seems as if handling of such cases has overwhelmed these organizations or none of the GBV cases are reported hence not utilised adequately,” said one resident.

Very little has been done in response to cases reported in the rescue centres as residents air their grievances in local community radio station. On the other hand, residents also blame the Kibera Law Court for delaying cases successfully handled by the civil society organisations in the initial stages.

Very few GBV cases have been heard or determined at Kibera Law Courts. Postponement is always the order of the day while the perpetrators enjoy freedom.

None has been sentenced for their misdeeds. Residents also note that sexual violence offenders from Kawangware, Dandora, Kayole, Kariobangi and Mathare hide in Kibera. “Most of them come after being blacklisted for crimes committed in their respective estates,” said another area resident.

According to Fatuma Mohamed, a resident at Makina Village within the larger Kibera, cases of rape are high but victims either do not report cases on time or just ignore.

She noted that rape and incest are common in the area only that they are rarely reported due to unknown cultural beliefs. “Shame among women or fear of relatives’ conviction, stop survivors from taking action,” said Mohamed giving an example of a man in ‘his normal senses’ who defiled his own daughter under the pretence of being drunk.

She argues that such cases are common yet the men’s wives only make noise by shouting at them but take no any legal action.

“As for incest and defilement, we as mothers or wives are to blame and not anybody else. We are the ones encouraging these heinous acts in our houses.

How can a man in his normal senses force his own daughter to bed and be left free without taking any legal action being taken against him?” Mohamed posed.

Laxity

According to Florence Ogore, a GBV vigilante in Kibera and a resident of Kianda village, many cases are reported the police through community based organisations but no action is taken. She notes if they do, it takes too long after trips of follow ups.

“It is regrettable and discouraging that victims report cases but offenders are set free after a few days in remand.

The question we always ask ourselves, do they bribe their way out or it is out of lack of evidence?” Ogore poses.

Popularly known as Mama Yao, Ogore blames law enforcers for being reluctant when it comes to GBV cases especially in Kibera. She accuses police officers of being insensitive to the plight of the survivors, asking rhetoric and careless questions to a survivor of rape and domestic violence instead of offering assistance.

“I do not know whether I am the only one who has experienced the harassment at Kilimani Divisional Police Headquarters. The police are never in a hurry to assist or handle the cases.

They take you round for days and by the time they decide to help, it is always too late to pin down the culprit,” Ogore explains.

She says rape, incest, defilement, domestic violence and economic violence is rampant in Kibera. She is would like Kenneth Okoth, area Member of Parliament (MP) to ask the administration to deploy more patrol police officers in hotspot to curb the vice.

Ogore says: “There is case in Kibera

Kenneth Okoth, MP for Kibra Constituency when he announced plans to put up a police station in the area to reduce cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence.

Below: The message is on the wall for Kibera residents to embrace it or ignore it. Photo Henry Owino Law Courts of a white-woman who was raped by a gang of three men but to date it has not been determined.”

She notes that it is now two years since the case began unfortunately it is characterized by constant postponements.

Poverty

Kenneth Okoth, MP for Kibra Constituency blames poverty in the area for the high levels of domestic violence. He says cases of rape are also high in the area due to poor parental upbringing and immoral standards.

The MP says plans are underway to build a police station in the area.

“We are in talks with the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and

Joseph ole Lenku, Cabinet Secretary for Interior to build a police station in the area and equip it with the necessary facilities and equipment,” Okoth says.

In addition, he cited Mbombolulu, Fort Jesus, Gatwekera, Laini Saba and Darajani as hotspot areas which will be on 24-hour surveillance.

He said this will protect everybody residing in the constituency and help address cases of GBV, rape, robbery with violence and other rampant crimes experienced in the sprawling slum.

“I am talking with Nairobi County Government, local and religious leaders to support the initiative in their respective forums,” Okoth assures.

Chiefs accused of abetting defilement

T

By Ben Oroko

hough defilement is one of the sexual and genderbased violence crimes depriving girls of their sexual and reproductive health rights, access to justice remains a challenge in various communities across the country.

In the Gusii region, village elders, chiefs and their assistants have been accused of convening ‘kangaroo courts’ to broker out of court settlement between parents of the victims and perpetrators.

According to Bathseba Sanaya, chairperson Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) larger Gucha branch, chiefs and their assistants are abetting gender based violence by encouraging survivors to drop cases and have them resolved locally.

Sanaya laments that resolving defilement cases through ‘kangaroo courts’ initiated by the local provincial administrators not only deprives the victims of their right to access justice but

also exposes them to public humiliation and stigmatisation.

Deals

“Chiefs and their assistants are notorious for striking out of court settlement deals in defilement cases, which serves to compromise evidence and render the cases irrelevant before the courts of law,” says Sanaya. She adds: “Although chiefs and their assistants understand the law, they have used it to advance their selfish interests and derail justice for victims of defilement and other sexual assault cases.”

Sanaya says: “It is worrying that chiefs and their assistants who know the law fail to advise sexual violence victims on the need to go to hospital within 72 hours as delays undermine evidence.”

Sanaya accuses the local provincial administration of convening kangaroo courts which enable perpetrators to walk scot-free after paying pre-arranged fines to parents of the victims.

“The setting up of kangaroo courts presided over by the chiefs and their

assistants makes it possible for the perpetrators to compromise and have them rule in their favour to the disadvantage of the victims,” says Sanaya.

However, Mbogai Rioba Gucha Deputy County Commissioner absolved the administrators from the accusations. However, he warned that action will be taken against any chief or assistant found guilty. He advised victims to seek medical attention before reporting any cases to the police for investigations.

The children 2010 Kenya Violence Against Children Survey indicates that violence against children is a serious and growing problem in Kenya.

According to the Survey, levels of sexual violence targeting children below 18 years stand at 32 per cent for Chiefs from Kisii County demonstrate in females and 18 per cent for males. It Kisii town demanding clarifications from notes that 16 percent of females experithe government over their role in the ence at least one incident of physical, devolved system of government. Inset: emotional or sexual assault as children.

Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation It also indicates that 13 per cent of (MYWO) chairperson, Mrs Bathseba females experience all three types of Sanaya. Photos: Ben Oroko. violence during childhood.

December 1-16, 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

13

Film upscales war against GBV by creating local champions in slum

By Ruth Omukhango

T

aking a walk through Olympic Road, within the sprawling Kibera slum in the afternoon, one can easily be mistaken to think that most of the tiny premises along the street are occupied by shops with commodities to sell.

However, this is not so. A glance at a fairly medium structured mabati (iron sheet) room within the street is a youth recreation centre popularly known as Ghetto Light and is commonly associated with jobless young people in the society.

Video shows are a typical feature in the slums of Kibera where members of the community pay a small fee to watch their favourite programmes as they while away time. However, on this particular afternoon, a group of 30 community leaders are seated in the dark room watching a serious film that will raise debate and most probably impact the lives of the residents Kianda, Olympic and Soweto in regards to gender based violence.

The film popularly known as Sita Kimya which means ‘I will not be silent’ is an awareness campaign on sexual and gender based violence, conducted in conjunction between the Kibera Community Youth Programme and Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW).

It aims at sensitising the public on gender based violence as well as enhancing behaviour change in the community. Produced in 2010

by Film Aid in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum, Sita Kimya has a cast and crew made up entirely of local residents.

According to Noreen Adhiambo, Programme Officer at CREAW, the screening of Sita Kimya during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is a strategic move to address issues that affect the community. Most actors are from the community and the area leaders can identify with them.

“This is also a move to increase the number of cases reported so that people can get help,” Adhiambo explains.

Besides sensitising the community on issues of gender based violence, it is hoped that an increased number of community leaders would be empowered to become champions of eradicating gender based violence. The actors in this film cut across all ages ranging from the youth to adults and, therefore, provide space for all ages to be informed.

“While most organisations are used to conducting workshops and open forums to discuss issue that affect the community, film is an innovative way of educating the public by engaging them as it is interesting and captivating,” observes Adhiambo.

Rationale

According to Vincent Sizzla, this concept was crafted upon realisation that almost of all homes in Kibera rely on television as a form of entertainment and hence the need combine entertainment and passing of knowledge through this channel.

Kibera residents watch the popular Sita Kimya film which seeks to create awareness in the campaign on sexual and gender based violence.

The film is a joint initiative between the Kibera Community Youth Programme and Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW).

“The participants are likely to own the film as they can identify with their own locations and people as opposed to screening a Nigerian Nollywood movie,” notes Sizzla.

Approach The film which lasts for one and half hours uses dramatic narrative to unpack these issues, exploring various forms such violence can take as well as what communities and individuals are able to do to prevent it.

Some of the issues discussed in the film include details of the Sexual Offences Act. It also provides basic knowledge of where people can report to and expose perpetrators of sexual violence.

According to Sizzla, who is the facilitator of the Sita Kimya film, the screening which targeted to take eight out of the 13 villages which included Lindi, Kianda, Makina, Laini Saba, Kisumu

Ndogo, Mashimoni, Gatwekera and Soweto West was a strategic move aimed at different target audiences as every village had different forms of GBV which are perpetuated by different genders and age groups.

The two screening in a day to target a large audience, ultimately hoped to reach 240 community leaders to increase the level of awareness and knowledge target on the chain of GBV service delivery.

After each screening, the participants are provided with an opportunity to interact and discuss pertinent issues raised in the film such as peer pressure among the youth and the fact that most perpetrators are known in the community but there is fear of exposing them due to threats and blackmail.

“Ever since we started screening this film, I have been getting many cases of gender violence from

friends and community leaders and this is an indication that something is happening,” notes Sizzla.

Culture

Since cultural issues are some of the challenges that escalate gender based violence in urban slums, the film addresses myths and misconceptions around GBV among young people. It also addresses the issue of men who assume they have rights to beat their wives because they paid dowry for them or those who misuse step children because they are not related by blood.

According to Elizabeth Okello, a participant at the screening of the film, many times victims know their perpetrators but are afraid of exposing them for fear of being beaten.

“There is need to expose them to understand the implications of their actions for others to learn from it,” says Okello.

Sizzla notes there is need to come up with series of themes to be addressed through acting but this remains a challenge due to donor funds. In the event of availability of funds some of the key themes that the team hopes to address include wife battering, incest, sodomy as well as insecurity.

Despite the successes, there is need for more awareness creation as there is still a challenge of reaching as many people as possible but facilitation remains a challenge as most of the activities are donor funded “We managed to screen the film during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence but we need to look strategically on how we can extend the project to other urban slums outside Kibera in order to change mind sets and create champions who can speak and condemn GBV in society,” reiterates Sizzla.

14

16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Kabete Police Station ranked best in handling GBV cases

By HENRY OWINO

F

or the first time various institutions and organisations which have consistently assisted victims of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) have been recognised. The acknowledgement comes with awards for exemplary service delivery in SGBV prevention and response among others.

The award symposium organised by the Women Empowerment Link (WEL) attracted Police Stations, hospitals, Shelters and Safe Spaces as well as GBV Prevention and Response Working Groups.

In 2012, Women Empowerment Link awarded the most committed working groups in Kibera-Lang’ata, Kangemi-Westlands, Dagoretti, Kamukunji and Makadara working groups.

Kabete Police Station was rated the best station for its exceptional support to victims of human rights abuse and sexual gender based violence. It topped for having the most active and friendly gender based violence desk, listening to victims, arresting perpetrators, following up of cases, appearing in courts of law and responding quickly to crimes of such nature.

The symposium planning committee responsible in evaluating the various categories said they went round to all police stations in the regions dealing with GBV cases.

At the end of study, Kabete Police Station met the requirements with positive feedback from the public.

The panellist of judges admitted that the station had a good number of GBV cases that were successfully handled than any other police station.

Judges reiterated that Kabete Police Station proved beyond doubt that it had helped bring down GBV cases in the area. They pointed out that women and girls in the community are happy and satisfied with the way their cases are handled, without harassment or intimidation.

Passion

According Ezekiel Oudo, Officer Commanding Crime Branch at Kabete Police Station, GBV offenders are dealt with firmly. He added that the community around, knows very well that any perpetrator of GBV offence brought to the station, must face the rule of law.

“I am the type of police officer who does his job with love and passion. So, any crime is dealt with accordingly and GBV crimes is more dangerous because it violates human rights and needs quick responses for evidence otherwise delay reprieves perpetrators,” Oudo said.

Kilimani Police Station was ranked as the first runners-up in handling GBV cases from KibraLang’ata region and its neighbourhood. Shauri Moyo Police Station took the third position followed

by Makongeni Police Station and finally Riruta Satellite Police Station.

Under medical facilities, Medecine Sans Frontiers (MSF) France, emerged the best in offering excellent services in handling cases of violence against women and girls.

Apart from their outstanding response, they are known for keeping confidentiality of survivors, follow up victims in their homes, and pleasant customer care desk services

among others.

Juma Mukabane, MSF Community Link Officer who received the award on behalf of the organisation was grateful for the recognition. He said their efforts in assisting women and girls who are sexually assaulted and physically abused are not in vain.

As the Community Link Officer in charge of GBV cases at health facility, Mukabane responds to every single phone call regardless of time and day of the call. He expressed his joy and thanked Women Empowerment Link for the recognition.

“Cases of gender based violence are very tricky to handle, especially rape because it involves police, doctors, the Judiciary and victim for the matter to be solved successfully.

Getting some of these institutions to handle the sexual abuse urgently may be a thorn in the flesh but we always do our best to prevent the worse,” Mukabane lamented.

Proposal

He urged David Kimaiyo, Inspector General of Police to allow MSF clients to use post-rape care form in place of the P-3 forms or the Government police doctor’s letter to minimise the delays. He said that the hustle of getting a P3 form often deters evidence during prosecution.

Other health facilities awarded for their worthy services to GBV survivors were Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Women Hospital gender based violence recovery centres that tied in first runners-up then Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and MSF Belgium.

Another category of institutions recognised was that of multisectoral group commonly known as GBV Prevention and Response Working Groups in the communi-

Police officer Ezekiel Oudo of Kabete Police Station receives a trophy from Mr Patrick Lumumba, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police after his station was declared the best in responding to SGBV cases in Nairobi. Below: Police officers attend a training on Sexual and Gender Based Violence cases.

Photos Henry Owino ties. The groups were awarded for their consistency in supporting girls and women who were raped, defiled or domestically abused including boys who are sodomised.

In this category, Kangemi GBV Prevention and Response Working Group Emerged the best followed

by Kibra- Lang’ata region who tied in second position while Makadara GBV Working Group was placed in fourth position. Kamukunji was fifth and Kabete GVB Working Group took the last slot amongst the best.

Currently there are 24 GBV prevention and response work-

ing groups countrywide that offer shelter and safe space services in different places.

Recognition

However, institutions and individuals that were awarded for their best services are; Zainabu Abdullahi - Zainabu Abdulrahman Shelter in Kibra, Josephine Nekesa aka Masaa from Kangemi, Maryfaith Children Centre (Dagoretti), Pastor Margaret Odunde (Makadara) and Mama Fatuma (Kamukunji).

Josephine Nekesa popularly known as Masaa was awarded for

being the best community mobiliser and active member among all the organisations.

“My other name as you heard is Masaa because I am concerned about time in handling any sexual abuses and other gender based violence cases. I never waste time because time wasted is never recovered and the victim gets more harmed,” Nekesa explained.

The ceremony was organised by Women Empowerment Link in collaboration with eight other organisations supported by Norwegian Church Aid.

16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

15

Safe house offers refuge for survivors

By Henry Kahara

R

ecently rape cases have been rampant in the country such that they occur anytime regardless of the place including in ‘safe places’ that are our homes.

To make matters worse, parents who are supposed to offer protection at times are the perpetrators.

When violence takes place at home where do the victims seek reprieve?

Mary Faith Children’s Centre is one of such place where violated children seek refuge.

It was started in 2004 by Mary Njeri, a teacher by profession. “I decided to resign as a teacher when I saw how children are being abused and there was no one to speak for them.”

Njeri took the initiative of accommodating them in her house before the number increased to an extent that forced her to look for bigger space.

“I am passionate about the girl child, so it was not a big deal accommodating them in my house,” says Njeri.

“I started with two girls, one of whom was running away from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), she was Somali origin. The other girl was a Ugandan who had been trafficked in Kenya as a house help. She was raped before being abandoned,” she explains.

Achievement

According to Njeri the first group she rescued is currently on vocational training. More than 250 girls have passed through Mary Faith Centre since it was started nine years ago.

Njeri notes that all the offenders have been brought to book and justice has prevailed.

“We only lost one case because of delay in moving to court hence the culprit image faded away from the child’s memory. The child could not remember him so when she was asked whether he is the one she said no,” explains Njeri. “I always release the girls to the parents after the culprit has been convicted.”

This is done with conditions where she talks to parents or guardians about the state of the child especially if it was a rape case.

“We mostly advocate for school transfer so that the child does not get stigmatized. We also recommend them to move from the estate where they are living in. If it is their home we talk to the relatives and urge them to support the child,” says Njeri.

Currently the centre accommodates 33 girls who are victims of sexual violence, child labour and

abandonment. The youngest is two years old.

Challenges

Although the Centre mostly serves survivors aged 18 years and below, Njeri say they also support women who come to them after being sexually or physically assaulted.

“We also assist women who come to us may be after they are beaten by their husbands and may be even evicted from their houses. We accommodate them briefly may be for a night.”

Currently the Centre is experienc-

GBV survivors at the Mary Faith Children’s Centre. More than 250 girls have ing challenges that include lack been housed at the Mary Faith Centre since it was started nine years ago. of psycho-social counselling experts. not have money to pay for counselwill give them that platform,” she says.

“Being the only Rescue Centre in lors.

They are forced to go to either Njeri notes that although GBV the larger Dagoretti, sometimes we get Nairobi Women Hospital or Kenyatta cases have been registered in the overwhelmed by cases due to limited National Hospital for counselling,” past, she admits that they are curspace,” says Njeri adding that they live she says. rently on the rise, especially among in a rented space.

The Nairobi Women Hospital the minors.

According to Njeri, sexual violence offers free counselling every last “I think it is time the Government survivors need counsellors to help Saturday of the month. introduces comprehensive sex educathem come to terms with their experition which addresses both abstinence ence and move on. and age-appropriate, medically ac“Most of these children, espe“I would like to appeal to counselcurate information about contracepcially those who have been sexually lors who are willing to volunteer in tion at primary and secondary level,” molested are traumatised. They are changing lives to contact us and we says Njeri. in need of counselling but we do She would like to see the Government open its own rescue centres.

“We only have children’s homes and rehabilitation centres but we do not have rescue centres,” reiterates Njeri.

She warns that failure to curb the trend may result in a dangerous generation.

“If the trend continues we may end up having bitter women, delivering bitter children hence bitter generation,” she warns.

“My future plan is to buy land and build good structures where we can have our own primary school and tertiary training,” she concludes.

Upsurge

“Most of these children, especially those who have been sexually molested are traumatised. They are in need of counselling but we do not have money to pay for counsellors.”

— Ma ry N j e r i

Women in India use mobile news service to report incidents of rape

By Margaret Looney

A

community news outlet is giving a voice to victims of rape in a country where that crime is often swept under the rug.

Women are reporting incidents of rape, other forms of sexual assault and sexual harassment using CGNet Swara.

The community journalism platform en-

ables tribal people in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh to call in reports via their mobile phones.

The Indian public is still reeling from the gang rape and subsequent death of a 23-yearold woman last December.

Rape cases “are still going unreported by the media and unprosecuted by the courts,” says Elizabeth Segran. Rape victims rarely find justice in India’s court system.

But in Chhattisgarh, CGNet Swara reports are prompting authorities to take action. In August, three men accused of raping a tribal woman were arrested after citizen journalist Prakash Gupta called in a report to CGNet Swara.

CGNet Swara receives around 400 reports per day that cover everything from local politics to environmental issues. Women file about 30 percent of the reports.

Last month, CGNet Swara founder Shubhranshu Choudhary held a training workshop for women, many of whom are illiterate, on how to use the platform.

“All of them are from poor backgrounds, from lower castes, from rural areas,” Choudhary said. Still, they are clear and bold in their documentation of sexual harassment, rape and other issues, he said.

Courtesy of IJ Net

16

16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

Teenage pregnancies lead to school drop out

By Henry Kahara

T

eenage pregnancies have been on the rise in Kenya. Hundreds of girls have been dropping out of school due to pregnancy related cases every year. The scenario cuts across the social divide in both rural and urban centers. School drop-out rates remain high.

At the Kibera Soccer Girls Academy, most girls have dropped out of school.

The community girls school has a population of 137 students. Located in the middle of the largest slum in East Africa, Kibera, a stranger can hardly tell that there is a learning institution in such place but it has been in existence since 2006.

According to the school Principal Miss Fridah Wanda, teenage pregnancy is a common scenario in that school.

“This year we have already recorded five pregnancy cases.

Wanda says that teenage pregnancies are not only common phenomena in this school but also in its environs.

“They are mostly as a result of rape while others are driven poverty where girls are forced to fend for themselves,” she says.

Admission

Kibera Soccer Girls AcadKibera Socca Girls academy students in their school after receiving sanitary towels from well-wishers. The school is hard hit by teenage pregnancies and emy consists of less privileged caters for girls from poor families and orphans. Photos: Henry Kahara students who face a lot of challenges in their day to day According to the girl, her cause of the problem, if we really school in collaboration with wellthat it was her first time to sleep life. “Some of these students mother was sick and she could want to fight early pregnancy,” says wishers provides sanitary towels to with that man but the unexpected are orphans and some have partherefore not raise the amount Wanda. the girls. happened. ents but they are not able to cater required.

According to a report released “For the last one term the girl for their needs,” she explains. on June 2013 by National Council had ran away from school but she The school only admits girls We need to look at the issues for Population and Development has come to sit for the exams,” she from the area who have scored 270 making our girls to indulge in “This forced her to get money in collaboration with Ministry of explains. marks in their Kenya Certificate of early sex. Kibera Soccer Girls from her boyfriend but not on a Public Health and Sanitation and According to Wanda they have Primary Education (KCPE) exams Academy offers free education for silver platter because she had yield Population, Premarital sex is combeen conducting counseling sesand their parents cannot pay for girls who come from low income to sex before she could the money,” mon in Kenya. sions every week but she doubts their Secondary School fee. families. The institution doesn’t narrates Wanda.

The report says that nearly 40 whether this can stop the menace.

Wanda openly agrees that most charge any fee. Furthermore the Wanda says that the girl claims percent of unmarried women ages “We need to address the root girls have had their future ruined 15 to 24 have had premarital sex, due to unwanted pregnancy. and more than one in seven are “Sometimes girls drop out of sexually active. school due to pregnancy due to Teenage pregnancy persists for stigmatization from the fellow a number of reasons, including students.” inadequate access to reproductive Wanda says that the most health information and services, surprising thing is the fact that cultural and religious taboos, and men who impregnate these school poverty. girls are not their age mates and The research notes that childare unreliable. birth can be risky for adolescent “Many of these men lure girls and their babies: Maternal these girls with just a few shildeath rates for young women ages lings. I get surprised when I 15 to 19 are twice as high as for disclose circumstances under women in their 20s, and research which they conceived because suggests that girls ages 10 to 14 some will openly tell you that it are five times more likely to die of was their first time and may be it maternal causes than women ages took place by the road side.”

20 to 24. First-time, adolescent “Some girls here are also mothers are at most risk. bread winners in their house.

The fifth Millennium DevelopThey live on their own, may be ment Goal aims to reduce the numtheir parents died or they have ber of global maternal deaths by 75 deserted them.”

Per cent between 1990 and 2015.

She gives an example of a form In Kenya, maternal deaths were four girl who is sitting for her estimated at 360 deaths per 100,000 Kenya Certificate of Secondary live births in 2010, a decline of Education KCSE this year but she less than 10 percent since 1990. A is pregnant. significant portion of women dying “The girl conceived as she from pregnancy-related causes is sought for Ksh5, 900 to register for — V ICTO RIA WANDA under age 18. the exam.”

Counselling

“Many of these men lure these girls with just a few shillings. I get surprised when I disclose circumstances under which they conceived because some will openly tell you that it was their first time and may be it took place by the road side.”

Report

December 1-16, 2013

16 days of activism against gender based violence

17

Street families constantly exposed to GBV

By Carolyne Oyugi

W

hen Wendy * was 10 years old she was raped by a boy who used spend the night near their corner in the streets of Nairobi. By then she did not even know what sex is and so she did not even understand that she was raped and her reproductive rights were violated.

“That boy, who we commonly knew as Njoro used to sleep with his family next to our corner and so we grew up together and were good friends. One day he hit me on the head and I fell down. He then ordered me to remove my panty and raped me,” says Wendy.

This however did not end there. At the age of 14 Wendy joined a gang in the streets for protection. “Life in the streets is not easy and for you to survive you must have some sort of protection so I had to choose one.”

Agony

The same group that was supposed to protect her turned against her and gang raped her. “One day I had come from my usual begging at mid night and was heading home when I met three of the boys who were members of the gang that used to protect me. They asked me to share with them the money I had collected and I refused because it was little and could not even cater for our supper.”

The boys then turned against her and gang raped her. They also took all the money from her and left her lying on the road.

Wendy recollected herself and went to her mother and younger brother who were waiting for her to bring food. She never shared with her family what happened to her until two months

later when her mother noticed that she was pregnant.

At that time however there is nothing she could have done because she had already destroyed the evidence and was even at risk of contracting HIV. “I was so sad and did not know what to do.

I did not even know who the father of my baby is and could not confront the three boys either.

Until now I can not tell who he is but I know he is among the three” says Wendy.

Wendy, now 16 years old still lives in the streets of Nairobi and has a son to take care of.

She is however not the only one experiencing Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the streets.

Many street families live a life full of violence but the situation is worse for women and girls.

Their fellow street dwellers and even other members of the public see them as sex objects and they are usually vulnerable due to lack of social and financial security.

Girls and women living in the streets constantly face both physical and psychological torture by being beaten or verbal insults for not doing what they have been told to do.

Victims

Girls are also introduced to forced prostitution at a very tender age and their patrons take advantage of them.

“Some men will spend the night with you and refuse to pay you. When this happens there is nothing you can do so you just go home empty handed,” narrates Wendy.

Though no proper census has been done to ascertain the number of street families in Nairobi, It is estimated that there are 10,000 of them .It is however sad that not much attention is paid to their welfare and this has dyer consequences.

Some pregnant women and girls do not attend Antenatal Care and even give birth in the streets without professional care. This poses a big risk on both the mother and the child and at times even to the midwife.

Many of them also do not go for HIV test and as a result Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) is not implemented.

It is unfortunate that there is no proper structure set up by the government to handle issues of GBV In the streets. Most women also either do not know their rights or do not know where to report the cases.

Whenever there are discussions about street families what usually comes up is that they are a nuisance and a threat to the security. They are often rounded up in town and charged with general nuisance.

Responsibility

Some of them also fear reporting the crime because they are not assured of their protection once they are back in the streets and so they better keep it Most women and girls in the streets are targeted to themselves. for sexual abuse as they are perceived as sex Deputy governor of Nairobi objects and are usually vulnerable due to lack of County, Jonathan Mueke says that social and financial security. Photo: Carolyne Oyugi it is not easy to provide the street families with the essential services tection and this way many of them will be free to like healthcare and so they have to be report the crimes.” responsible for their health just like any other Mr Mueke also revealed that a rehabilitation Kenyan citizen. centre for street children will be set up in Ruai He however urges the police to be sensitive

by January at a cost of Sh200 million as one of when cases of GBV are reported to them. “They the ways to curb rising cases of insecurity. should also try and provide the victim with pro-

Church on the spot for gender discrimination

C

By HENRY KAHARA

ulture has been used as a tool to perpetuate Gender Based Violence (GBV). From tribal affiliations to politics and the corporate world discrimination is rife and the religious bodies cap it all.

According to Canon Rosemary Mbogo who is also the chairperson of National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK), women should not be discriminated against.

Mbogo wonders why women are not appreciated and yet they are the nest of every human being. Today in many religious bodies, women are denied positions of authority with some religious leaders using the Bible to exclude women from leadership.

She cites Leviticus 12, “ The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. 3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. 4 Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. 5 If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait

sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.

6 “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. 7 He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.

Many churches in Kenya including, the Aglican Church of Kenya (ACK) where she fellowships, have very few women in the top most leadership.

Discrimination

Last year the Church of England, Anglican Communion Nigeria, voted against the prospect of having women bishops in the church.

The controversy also divided the church in Nigeria as some bishops did not see anything wrong in ordaining female priests, while other clergymen considered it an ecclesiastical sacrilege.

Although churches in Kenya have yet to embrace women Bishops, Kenyan constitution demands inclusion of one third of the opposite gender in public service sector. Kenya Constitution 2010 made a major step towards ensuring gender equity in major decision making organs. This is an important step because historically in Kenya,

women have always been under-represented in decision making at major levels of governance. It is important to note that even though these provisions don’t give a fifty-fifty gender balance, a considerable representation of both gender and especially of women has been guaranteed in the key decision making organs at different levels of leadership and governance.

Kenya Constitution Article 232 (1) accords adequate and equal opportunities for both men and women in the appointment, training and advancement at all levels of public service. These provisions are important especially for women in Kenya, for in the past women have been sidelined in enjoying equal participation in the public service.

Intensity

Mbogo notes that the discrimination is so deep such that when men commit sin, the society easily regards them as human being made of flesh and blood but women are stigmatized and isolated.

“The word of God has a room

Reverend Canon Rosemary Mbogo, the chairperson of the National Council of Churches of Kenya NCCK. Photo: Henry Kahara for counsel, healing and restoration. We are all God’s children,” says Mbogo.

She gives an example of a story in the Bible when a woman was caught sinning and he was brought to Jesus.

“I always ask myself was this woman sinning alone,” she wonders.

“There is no man who is not born of a woman. It is time that women took their position,” says

Mbogo adding that any disregard of any gender is disrespectful.

According to Pastor Simon Mbevi of Mavuno Church, notes that culture has changed but men have been left behind.

Pastor Mbevi urges the government, churches and well- wishers to come up with programmes which can help men to come together and discuss values which will help them to grow with time.

18

16 days of activism against gender based violence

December 1-16, 2013

GBV, a hindrance in the fight against HIV/AIDS

By Carolyne Oyugi

G

ender Based Violence (GBV) towards pregnant women is estimated to be 13.5%, a higher prevalence than that of many conditions normally screened for during pregnancy. According to a report by several foreign Universities and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) this is increasingly being seen as a hindrance to the fight against the spread of HIV. The report dabbed Addressing GenderBased Violence in Pregnancy :A clinical and Community Approach in Rural Kenya, further explains that this trend is especially common in Sub –Saharan Africa where women are disproportionately at risk of both GBV and HIV infection and HIV-positive women are twice as likely to experience than that of their HIV-negative counterparts.

According to KDHS 2012 between 39and 47%of Kenyan women experience GBV in their lifetime-among the highest rates in the world.

This type of violence, the report explains that has adverse effects on women’s and infant’s health and may worsen uptake of essential maternity and HIV services. Women who anticipate partner stigma or violence are twice as likely to refuse HIV testing during antenatal care.

Women who fear violence or a relationship break up are less likely to enroll for HIV care and as a result, pregnant women may choose not to deliver at a health facility for fear of being tested for HIV or disclosure.

Despite growing recognition of links

between GBV and HIV –and the unique vulnerability of pregnant women, there are few best practices for integrating GBV into low resource, primary health care settings. To meet this gap, Family AIDs Care and Education Services( FACES) –Kenya designed a multi-sectoral approach to reducing violence by using the clinic as a location for screening and providing community supported enhanced referrals for pregnant women.

FACES-Kenya is carrying out the interventions in three phases. The first one is training local community partners ( headsmen, elders, pastors, social workers ,and traditional leaders) to respond to GBV. Phase two involved training all clinic staff to screen, support and refer clients through a 40-hour training program. Drawing from exceptional health worker training curricula from around the globe, the training rallied clinic staff around the importance of GBV to health , build practical skills, and taught them how to use a new GBV screening tool ,developed on their formative research and existing GBV screening tools. The screening instrument also guides providers on appropriate counseling and referral strategies.

Impact

The clinic staffs began to screen and provide referrals to all women visiting ANC in their third phase. Lay health workers were trained to offer enhanced referrals to services in Nyanza region where they operate. The lay health workers assisted with phoning ahead, escorting women to services, and facilitating

Pregnant women have not been spared of violence. Reports by several foreign Universities and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) indicate that this form of violence is increasingly becoming a hindrance to the fight against the spread of HIV. Photo: File reimbursement for transport fare which is often a barrier to accessing support in rural areas.

GBV is known to cause trauma , pain and memory loss to it’s victims and survivors. it also leads to decline in reproductive health, increase transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections, depression, post traumatic stress, miscarriage, pre-mature labour, low birth weight and at it’s worst it can lead to suicide.

This is a bleak picture considering that 83% of women and girls in Kenya report one or more episodes of physical abuse in childhood. 75% of Kenyan women report having suffered from gender-based domestic violence in the homestead. The majority of Kenyan women believe it is acceptable for men to beat their spouses. 46% report at least one incident of sexual abuse as a child.36% of rural women report having experienced Female Genital Mutilation (FMG). 25% report losing their

virginity by force.

According to Betty Khasakhala OF Law Society of Kenya, There is a culture of silence surrounding gender-based violence, which makes collection of data on this sensitive topic particularly challenging. Even women who want to speak about their experiences of domestic violence may find it difficult because of feelings of shame or fear. The need for establishing rapport with the respondent and ensuring confidentiality and privacy during the interview are important for the entire survey, but are critical in ensuring the validity of the data on domestic violence.

Complete privacy is also essential for ensuring the security of the respondent and the interviewer.

Asking about or reporting violence, especially in households where the perpetrator may be present at the time of interview, carries the risk of further violence.

SGBV remains a barrier to women’s participation in cross border trade

B

BY HENRY KAHARA usiness has always been conceived a risky affair, but very rewarding. It takes hard work and determination for one to

excel.

However, only the fittest survive, as majority are edged out on the basis of gender and financial muscle.

Sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) remains high across the borders.

Hadija Sserwanga, a trader in the border says that matters have been complicated by the fact that there are no clear mechanisms to seek redress especially when the perpetrators hold positions of authority.

“It goes unnoticed because women fear to speak about it,” she reiterates.

She continues that there is need to implement the policies that promote integration with East Africa Community.

Hadija who spoke in Nairobi during the launch of a book, ‘Women and trade in Africa’, says that

although much has been achieved in the EAC region, SGBV continues unabated.

Machinery

The book, Women and trade in Africa, urges authorities to put mechanisms that will enable traders to report violations of their rights. This will ensure that errant officers are penalized for infractions and create transparency and accountability at the boarder and empower individuals to control and curb violations.

The author notes that although women contribute significantly to the economic well being of their households, they are not recognized as legitimate business people and fi-

nancial contributors to their families and to the economy at large. Strong legal and institutional reforms are needed to improve the experience of women in the cross border trade.

Report

According to the World Development Report 2012, for women to be involved in trade effectively a significant percentage of employees at the information centers must be female because they understand the key problems female traders face better than men. Their presence is also important for building trust among the centers, officials and cross boarder traders.

Women and trade in Africa: Realizing the potential- demonstrates

how women play a key role in trade in Africa and will be essential to Africa’s success in exploiting its trade potential.

According to Marcelo Giugale, Director Department of Economic Policy and Poverty Reduction Programs, World Bank Africa Region, “removing obstacles such as repressive regulations, monopolies and corruption – would be particularly beneficial to poor women, as they literally carry most of the small scale, cross boarder commerce that happens within the region.

Impact

The potential benefits are huge and obvious: better food security, faster job creation, more poverty

“Sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) remains high across the Borders but goes unnoticed because women fear to speak about it.”

— H a d i j a S s e rwa n g a

reduction and less gender discrimination.”

Government and donors are making concerted efforts to facilitate trade, to increase productivity in export oriented sectors, and to improve competitiveness. But this needs to be better targeted to ensure that women who participate in trade are reached by these interventions and that it is not just men who benefit.

However, Africa’s trade potential is undermined by constraints that women face. Women’s contribution to trade is much less because of nontariff barriers that impinge on women owned enterprises. These barriers often push women traders and producers into the informal economy where lack of access to finance, information, and networks jeopardize their capacity to grow and develop their business.

Lisa Karanja, the Director of the program states that, “these and other deterrent conditions prevent women from taking full advantage of the opportunities created by trade and thus undermine the aspirations of countries in Africa to use trade as a driver of growth, employment, and poverty reduction.’’

Executive Director: Arthur Okwemba Editor: Jane Godia Sub-Editor: Faith Muiruri Designer: Noel Lumbama Contributors: Duncan Mboyah, Joyce Chimbi, Ruth Omukhango, Carolyne Oyugi, Henry Owino, Henry Kahara, Jeff Kirui, Kirui Kiplangat, Omar Mwalago, Yusuf Amin and Ben Oroko.