10 Girls Faced Gender-Related Crimes Daily During Coivid-19 Lockdown

According to the National Crime Research Centre, gender-related crime rose during covid-19 lockdown with 1,716-woman rape assault and murder.

71 percent of the 2,416 cases reported between January and June according to the review, translating to 10 females facing gender-related crimes each day.

The findings from a study ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July on the state of gender-based violence showed that the crimes that disproportionately affected women and children had shot up.

Sexual and other forms of violence against women have devastating consequences including injuries and serious physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health problems, including sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unplanned pregnancies.

“The main perpetrators of gender-based violence are youthful males aged 18-33 years who are in a family and or intimate partner relationship context,” reads the report.

The Kenyan government should urgently protect women and girls against violence during this crisis. It is public awareness campaigns should highlight the risk and give detailed information on how victims, including those infected with Covid-19, can access services.

The public health measures aimed at flattening the pandemic’s curve created extra opportunities for interaction between potential perpetrators and their victims.

According to the report, the Kenya Health Information Systems recorded 8,264 cases of adolescent pregnancy of girls between 10-14 years and 153 girls of 15-19 years across the 47 counties.

The data from the Department of Children Services indicate that from January-June 43,144 cases of child mistreatment had been recorded.

From November 2019 to May 2020, ChildLine Kenya had, through the toll-free number 116, received 111 calls about violence and abuse against children and 875 calls from those seeking counseling and other information about children.

The restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic are likely to make it harder for survivors to report abuse and seek help for service providers to respond efficiently.

On 8^th October, a report by county admiration shows more than 830 girls in Nyandarua may not go back to school after fell they pregnant.

Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia said the report by the Education executive indicates that these children were impregnated by irresponsible men.

Idleness created by the lockdown, desperation due to loss of economic opportunities as a result of the pandemic, and limited access to outside support as a result of movement restriction left victim exposed

According to government data, 45 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and 14 percent have experienced sexual violence. Many cases are not reported to authorities and few women get justice or receive medical care.