Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls Still a Thorn in Kenya

Violence against women and girls cuts across boundaries of geography, race, class, religion, and culture. It occurs in homes, schools, and streets; in places of work and entertainment, and in care and detention centers.

Perpetrators include Husbands, parents, family members, teachers, caretakers, law enforcement authorities and other children and friends. Some of those who fall, victim, are particularly vulnerable because of gender, race, ethnic origin, disability or social status. And no country is immune, whether rich or poor.

According to statistics by the UN Women, it is estimated that 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70 percent of women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.

From physical to psychological and sexual, the magnitude of Gender-Based Violence is worrying. According to the Kenya Domestic Household Survey (KDHS) 2014, 38 percent of women aged 15-49 reported physical violence and 14 percent reported having experienced sexual violence.

Statistics indicate that in 2013, the Kenya Police Service received 3,596 defilement cases; 913 of rape; 242 of incest and 124 of sodomy.

However, the LVCT Health report cites 5,143 cases of GBV from 131 sites across the country. Out of these, the most affected are girls aged between 12-17 representing 41 percent of survivors followed by women aged 18-49 who make up 32 percent.

Girls living with disabilities have not been spared by perpetrators of GBV and they represented one percent; while women over 50 years accounted for three percent. However, it was girls below 11 years who shockingly accounted for 24 percent of GBV survivors.

The consequences of violence can be devastating. Above all, it can result in early death. But even those who survive must cope with terrible physical and emotional scars.

Indeed, violence places at risk not only their health but also their ability to learn and grow into adults who can create sound families and communities.

Violence against women and children is thus a major threat to global development. The spread of HIV/AIDS will not be halted until we also stop the violence against girls that helps to fuel the pandemic. Violence against Women and girls is also a major obstacle to gender equality.

From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December.

This year, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence theme is, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls”— reflecting the core principle of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls” reinforces the commitment to a world free from violence for all women and girls around the world, while reaching the most underserved and marginalized, including refugees, migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, and populations affected by conflict and natural disasters, amongst others, first.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. It was originated by the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.