COVID-19 Spiked Gender-Based Violence In Kenya By 92.2 Percent

The National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) has established a report indicating a 92.2 percent spike in the cases of gender-based (GBV) in Kenya.

According to the NCRC, 71 percent of the 2,416 cases of GBV recorded from July were perpetrated on women and girls. That is equivalent to 10 females violated each day during the six-month period.

The agency identifies males aged between 18 and 33 years as main perpetrators of the vice in its report on Protecting the Family in the Time of Covid-19 Pandemic: Addressing the Escalating Cases of Gender-based Violence, Girl Child Disempowerment and Violation of Children Rights in Kenya.

The report indicates that in the months of April to June there were spikes in 20 different forms of GBV against women, girls, and children. These include defilement, attempted rape, rape, subjecting children to torture, attempted defilement, gang rape, and gang defilement.

According to the report, other increased GBV offenses were emotional abuse, child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child prostitution, child radicalization, and online abuse.

The NCRC also warns that the COVID-19 pandemic has spiked other cases like threatening to kill, attempted murder, arson, sexual communication with a child, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and child abduction and kidnapping were also rife.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been increased early marriages and rape which have increased abortions, engaging in drug abuse amongst the youth in Kenya.

The NCRC report also points to depression, trauma, and anxiety as other factors spiked by the pandemics as a result of being neglected, sexually violated by family members and relatives, and confined unlawfully.

According to the National Crime Research Centre, alcohol, drug, and substance abuse alongside poverty and domestic disputes are some of the major reasons behind the increase in GBV in Kenya during the COVID-19 period.

The Crimes Ministry also pointed at other factors like retrogressive cultural practices, especially religious beliefs, male dominance, poor parenting, identity crisis among youth, and inadequate support system.

President Uhuru Kenyatta also raised concerns about the increased tensions within homes. “Cases of gender-based violence have increased, mental health issues worsened and instances of teenage pregnancy have also escalated,” Said Uhuru Kenyatta during his State address.

The NCRC recommends the Ministry of Education to strengthen the curriculum and school syllabus that addresses child rights, reproductive health, and sex education in schools to empower the girl and boy child to speak out against violations of their rights.