NETPOWCHY
NETPOWCHY
A Sanctuary for Battered Women and their Children
A Sanctuary for Battered Women and their Children
P O Box 11337-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 203 521 011 Mobile:+254 724 900 479 or +254 738 145 212 Email: netpowchy@netathome.co.ke or netpowchy@yahoo.com
Electine Akhura
NETPOWCHY Netpowchy works to eradicate domestic violence and to empower women and their children to take control of their own lives in Kenya. We are the only temporary and confidential shelter in Kenya focusing exclusively on women and their children (including women infected and affected by HIV and AIDS).
I had struggled to save money for my husband and I to start a business in our rural home. We agreed I would proceed to our rural home and he would come a few days later with the money and our 21 months old baby. He never came as promised. My husband, our baby and the money disappeared. I finally located my baby and saw him for the first time at his school in 2007 nearly 15 years later. Since I saw my baby a year ago, I went to court to file for custody where the matter is pending. I have also been denied visitation rights because of my HIV+ diagnosis.
In addition to emergency housing and support, our comprehensive
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services include, peer counseling and group therapy for women
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and children, health promotion includiong HIV prevention care and treatment, case management, client referrals to other service providers, community outreach on domestic violence & link to HIV
“Netpowchy volunteers, surviving domestic violence and taking control of their lives”
and establishing a robust volunteer database.
Facts on violence against women & girls in Kenya ü 49% of Kenyan women reported experiencing violence in their lifetime; one in four had experienced violence in the previous 12 months ü 83% of women and girls reported one or more episodes of physical abuse in childhood; 46% reported one or more episodes of sexual abuse in childhood. Over 60% of these women and children did not report the event to anyone. Only 12% who had been physically or sexually abused reported to someone in authority such as a village elder or the police.
These moving excerpts of 3 brave women’s stories are a testimony to their courage and determination, to overcome domestic violence and taking control of their own lives. Their commitment, dedication and passion to help other women in abusive situations, is demonstrated by their willingness to share their personal stories, in support of Netpowchy’s work.
ü In Kenya, 25% of 12-24 year olds lost their virginity by force. ü Nairobi Women’s Hospital receives an average of 18 cases of rape and incest each day.
I had recently delivered my second baby through a cesarean section during which time I was tested and diagnosed HIV+. I told my husband of my HIV diagnosis and asked him to go for an HIV test but he warned me not to mention HIV in our home. He was often abusive and one day he punched and kicked me with such force my c-section scar opened up. He told me to leave our home and when he returned if he found me still home, he would kill me. Neighbors heard the commotion and quickly came to our home and advised me to leave before my husband killed me. I left our home and as was my husband’s culture I had to leave my baby behind. I didn’t know where to go.............. luckily. a friend took me in.
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Three years later I bumped into a friend who told me she was sorry to hear of my loss. I asked her “what loss”? She said she had heard that my baby had died nearly 3 years ago…...shortly after I left my matrimonial home. I was shocked and in a daze for a long time after that. I would never see my baby again, I never got a chance to say goodbye….....how unfair could this world be?
ü There is only one shelter for victims of domestic violence in Kenya. ü A majority of the victims of violence are girls. 60% of women who have experienced violence reported age at first abuse between 6-12 years; 24% between 13-19 years. ü National studies confirm that between 40 and 50% of
© Max Brissette
Alice Wambugu:
Kenyan women and girls experience different forms of
FACT CHECK
violence (physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional) from
KDHS 2003
childhood to adulthood. Women who are abused or live with the threat of violence do not have the privilege of choosing ABC. This means that at least half of Kenyan women are unable to protect themselves from exposure to HIV.
Netpowchy Programs and Services 1. Emergency temporary and confidential shelter:
Violence and Abuse of Women and Girls in Kenya Mainstreaming Gender in the Kenya National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan Violence Against Women and Girls in Era of HIV and AIDS in Kenya
This will provide a temporary comfortable home environment with communal living spaces. The intention is to avail women and their children a safe haven giving them an opportunity to plan their future lives, a life Emily Akinyi I was married and worked in one of the big hotels in Nairobi. Because of
devoid of abuse. 2. Netpowchy emergency shelter services include:
the nature of my work, I often had to work late hours. When I got home after
Counseling:
working late, my husband would be waiting ready to pick a fight. He often
Clients benefit from support services such as peer counseling and group therapy.
verbally and physically abused me because of working late, a situation I had no control over.
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HIV, nutrition), basic communication and conflict resolution skills, case management to plan for their future, referrals to legal, medical, microfinance and other critical social services. Netpowchy will provide these services to victims with the aim of empowering women and their children to take control of their lives. Information/Education/Skills Building:
Compelling data from a 2006 UNAIDS report on violence against women and girls in the era of HIV and AIDS
Women and young women receive information on topics such
in Kenya indicates there is an urgent need to put an end to the acceptance of domestic violence by not only
as:
protecting women’s basic human rights, but by also reducing women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. Sexual & reproductive health, HIV prevention, including the importance of taking an
The same report indicates, current response to gender violence is inadequate, and interventions do not meet
HIV test.
demand. A cohesive and coordinated national response working with families, communities, government and
Availability to manage HIV and AIDS
other partners is necessary. This will ensure the root causes of violence against women and girls including
How HIV affects women
social and cultural drivers, gender inequalities, power imbalance and a weak judiciary system are addressed.
Implication of violence and risk of HIV Nutrition
This coupled with the knowledge that no emergency shelter services exist in Kenya for all women including women
Basic skills on conflict resolution and communication to aid
living with HIV, galvanized like-minded supporters of Netpowchy to move the concept into reality, embodied
them defuse potential domestic abusive situations.
in the establishment of a temporary & confidential shelter, providing services to a total of 16 domestic abuse survivors at any given point in time.
4 Case Management Services Case managers will work one-on-one to help clients make a plan with achievable goals on their immidiate future once they leave the shelter. 24-Hour Crisis Hotline Victims of domestic violence seeking shelter can call the hotline. During crisis hotline calls, or case management sessions. Netpowchy staff will work with clients to develop a safety plan. & offer tips to help them keep safe during a potentially violent situation. Referrals: Working closely with government and local partners is one of Netpowchy’s core approaches to ensure that survivors of domestic violence are linked to needed support services. Developing strong
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relationships with partners in the medical, legal (including police and court system), social welfare, microfinance and relevant government entities will ensure Netpowchy achieves greatest access to services for its clients. 3. Children’s programs: Children at the shelter benefit from a peaceful environment, receive counseling and participate in support groups as well as a variety of educational and recreational activities. 4. Community and national level education and advocacy on domestic violence and link to HIV and AIDS A key strategy to eradicating domestic violence is through knowledge, education and advocacy. Netpowchy will participate on panels, provide training and make presentations to a variety of organizations at the community and
Netpowchy background 8
national level. Capacity building for sustained community education: is critical to changing the culture that perpetuates
The idea of establishing a temporary & confidential shelter for domestic abuse victims (women and
violence against women and children thus eliminating domestic violence in Kenya. Netpowchy will work with
their children) was born 3 years ago by a Kenyan woman, who herself lived through domestic abuse
local institutions and communities (including CSOs, FBOs, Public/Private Sector) to develop their capacity to
from her intimate partner, leading to her becoming HIV infected. Her amazing and courageous journey
raise awareness and advocate against a culture of domestic violence.
as a victim of domestic violence and woman living with HIV since 1987 culminated in a book about her
Advocacy at the national level: Netpowchy will work with partners at the national level to advocate for policies
struggles and determination to fight for women and children’s basic human rights and a right to live a
that protect women’s rights including the right to live free from abuse and to lobby for the implementation
life without violence and discrimination irrespective of HIV status. Committed friends and supporters
and enforcement of legislation.
in Cologne, Germany were moved by her compelling story and supported its publication. The book is
Involving Men: Netpowchy recognizes that in order to break the cycle of violence, interventions with men
intended to be a motivating tool to reduce risk of HIV among women and girls experiencing domestic
and especially abusive men are a vital component of the broader strategy.
violence.
Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills: within families to prevent cases of domestic violence before they happen, whilst raising awareness on the negative implication of domestic violence in
Proceeds from the book are dedicated to establishing a temporary & confidential shelter where abused women and their children, like herself and 2 children, can seek temporary shelter and access needed support and information such as; peer counseling & group therapy, health promotion (e.g. sexual & reproductive health, HIV prevention, care and treatment of HIV, domestic violence and link to
communities, including increased risk of HIV for women and girls. Preventing of abuse cases before they
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go. She knows no one can protect her and that her level of danger increases when she walks out the door. Additionally she has limited options because he controls the finances and has isolated her from family and friends. happen is the most strategic and cost effective approach to eliminating domestic violence in Kenya. Netpowchy will work with local structures such as chief’s baraza,
4. “ He just loses control”
schools, faith communities and other relevant forums to strengthen communication
People abuse their partners to maintain power and control
and conflict resolution skills.
and not because they are out to control. Abusers are rarely violent outside of their relationship. Furthermore, they are
5. Network of Volunteers:
very careful about where and when to batter in order to
Volunteers are vital to our existence. We are constantly recruiting and building
conceal their actions. Violence is a tactic abusers use to
a dedicated roster of individuals who contribute many talents to our various
get what they want. While alcohol and drugs may make
programs.
abusers more violent, these substances do not cause abusive behavior.
Myths about domestic violence 5. “There is nothing I can do.”
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1 “It couldn’t happen to me.” Domestic violence occurs in all segments of society. No one chooses to live with an abuser. 2 “She is partly to blame.” A woman and her children have no control of the abuser and that is the essence of the abuse: that they will bow to his will. Abusers make demands that cannot be
There are things that anyone can do to help battered women
¸ First
the relationship is hard to leave (after marriage or children), and abusers employ manipulative tactics like apologizing, promising to change or blaming the victim to keep her around. More importantly, a woman is afraid to leave and often has nowhere to
mentor and play with children, help around the office and participate in special events.
re-victimized.
¸ We
can hold abusers accountable. We must not make
involved in “family matters.”
Some women DO leave, but it is NOT easy to leave. Abuse generally starts when
education, educate and train our women,
When people dismiss or blame them, survivors are
exhausted trying to avoid potential violence. Abusers use violence and other tactics
3. “It’s easy to leave.”
you! Our volunteers participate in community
we can believe their stories and honor them.
excuses for unacceptable behavior or be afraid to get
continue their behavior of abuse.
Netpowchy relies on the support of people like
and their children.
met or change demands based on a whim. Partners who try to please them become to maintain power and control the relationship. They blame the victim to justify and
Get involved
¸ We
can donate or volunteer with an organization like
Netpowchy to help eradicate domestic violence.
To volunteer or contribute call: Tel:+ 254 203 521 011 or +254 724 900 479 Email: netpowchy@netathome.co.ke or netpowchy@yahoo.com
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