Gender Violence

Kenya: Campaign against FGM and GBV rolled out in Nakuru and Baringo

Noticias

Africa/Kenya/09-08-2020/Author and Source: www.kbc.co.ke

Gender activists in Nakuru and Baringo have launched a campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV), teenage pregnancies, FGM and early marriages in 16 villages within the counties.

Through a Programme rolled out by Dandelion Africa, a community based organization, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, 250 members of Nyumba Kumi clusters have been engaged in sensitization initiatives aimed at bringing down outdated cultural practices that entrench the vices.

The initiative dubbed Jukumu Langu Project under Wajibu Wetu Programme has also seen more than 300 community members trained on how to report violation of their rights and those of their children so that the legal process is followed for justice.

The Project Director Ruth Nderitu said chiefs and village elders have also been sensitized against settling defilement cases through ‘Kangaroo’ courts, as the process compromised justice to the disadvantage of the affected girls.

She said Dandelion Africa was also using vernacular radio stations, drama and theatre to enhance knowledge on GBV and FGM.

“Elders involved in mediation in these villages have been trained on basic human rights as settling some matters locally denies women, men and young girls and boys justice,” said Nderitu.

She further pointed out that many boys and girls drop out of school or are forced into early marriage as a result of pregnancy.

At the same time, the director said that cases of FGM usually went up during the month of November before peaking in December when schools close for long holidays.

Part of the project entails encouraging men subjected to GBV to open up, report to authorities and seek counseling at health facilities.

“Male survivors of GBV rarely report to police and medical authorities. They will only do so when the physical effects of attacks require urgent intervention. Some men and boys only dare to seek assistance several years after the incident.

Nderitu said GBV and FGM remained deeply etched in most parts of the country due to failure by communities to report the twin vices to authorities, stigmatization, lack of cooperation by witnesses and reluctance by concerned authorities to act.

“The consequences of GBV and FGM are severe particularly for women. They are vulnerable because the vices are condoned by customs, reinforced by institutions and the fact that most rural women have limited knowledge on their rights,” she stated.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/campaign-against-fgm-and-gbv-rolled-out-in-nakuru-and-baringo/

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Sexual violence blamed for new HIV infections, unwanted pregnancies

Noticias

Africa/Kenya/26-07-2020/Author: Christine Muchira/Judith Akolo/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

New HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies are some of the issues that have emerged as a result of violence witnessed across the country.

Speaking during the daily COVID-19 press briefings, Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi noted that over 5000 recoveries have been recorded that resulted from Gender Based Violence meted out on victims during the pandemic period.

The Country has witnessed a 7% increase in the number of all forms of violence incidents, from March to June compared to a similar period last year.

CAS Mwangangi said, “Close to 5,000 rape survivors have received medical treatment in health facilities during this period of the Pandemic. Children below 18 years bear the greatest burden, as they comprise 70% of these survivors with 5% of these survivors being male.”

The CAS said that the inception of the measure that included the dawn to dusk curfew as well as partial lockdown of some counties could have resulted into the violence and had an impact on the mental health of the victims.

“We have noted with concern that some counties, particularly Wajir, Turkana, Kisii, Nandir Lamur Homabay and Kisumu, have recorded a 30% increase in cases of violence, since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Dr Mwangangi.

She noted that during the confinement measures put in place by the government, many cases of rape, have been recorded that resulted into transmission of HIV and resulted into pregnancies leaving a trail of suffering among the vulnerable members of the society especially women and children.

The CAS appealed to those affected by gender based violence were not seeking treatment at medical facilities due to unfounded fears that they could be infected with COVID-19.

She said that the Ministry of Health is establishing a toll free line to enable those affected to be able to report any form of violence or abuse and ensure that vulnerable members of the community are protected.

“The National Prevention and Response Plan on Violence Against Children 2019-2023, launched last week by the State Department of Social Protection, is quite timely.” Said Mwangangi.

Adding that: “The document addresses issues related to violence against children, including strengthening the toll free reporting line 116. Psycho-social support and counselling is available using the toll free number 1190.”

Dr. Mwangangi urged the communities to re-establish their social networks including religious institutions to intervene to be able to prevent the escalation of gender based violence.

This comes even as the country records 796 new COVID -19 infections in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases to 15,601.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/sexual-violence-hiv-pregnancies/#

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