- info@kwcwc.org
- Mirema Drive, Kasarani, Nairobi - Kenya.
Our Approach to Prevention Of GBV
Gender-based violence attacks the fundamental human rights of adults and children alike. Men and women, boys and girls, may all be subjected to gender-based violence. However, women and girls are by far the most affected group and will therefore be the principal focus of this field. Women and girls face various forms of violence physical, psychological, sexual, and harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation.
Statistics
The magnitude of GBV is quite worrying in Kenya. According to the Kenya Domestic Household Survey (KDHS) 2014, 38% of women aged between 15-49 years reported having undergone physical violence, while 14% reported having experienced sexual violence. The statistics from Kenya Police Service also show that in the year 2013, they had received 913 rape; 3,596 defilement cases; 242 incest, and 124 sodomy.
Women and girls with disabilities are also very vulnerable to GBV and they represented one percent; while older women above 50 years accounted for three percent. Shockingly, girls below 11 years accounted for 24 percent of GBV survivors.According to the Ministry of Public Service and Gender (2021), between January and December 2020, a total of 5009 cases were recorded through the National GBV toll-free helpline 1195, showing an increase of 1,411 (36%) reported from the previous year.
Data indicates that Nairobi, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Kiambu Counties reported the highest cases of GBV.Due to increased cases of GBV during the COVID-19 pandemic, H.E. the President directed the National Crime Research Centre to carry out a study to establish the causes of the increased cases of GBV. The findings of the study established that; the number of GBV cases recorded between January and June 2020 had an increase of 92% compared with the previous year (2019) period.
Victims and perpetrators of GBV The review established that: 71.0% of the 2,416 cases of GBV (that is, 1,716 cases) reported between January and June 2020 were female victims, that is, 10 females daily (State Department for Gender, 2020); the main perpetrators of gender-based violence are the youthful males aged 18-33 years who are in a family and/or intimate partner relationship context. Victims of GBV are majorly girls, women, and children
Consequences: The consequences of GBV can be devastating, and can result in permanent injuries and death, including leaving physical and emotional scars on the survivors. The consequences of GBV place the survivors at risk of their health and also their ability to become good future parents and members of their communities.
Thus, Violence against women and girls is a major threat to the development of the country. GBV also fuels the spread of HIV/AID among young girls and women. It also comes as an obstacle to gender equality which affects the productivity of women in the society they live in.
- Number of GBV Cases Reported at Ruaraka Sub-County for the Period Jan-April 2022- 203
