Kenya steps up fight against GBV but progress on commitments slow
A Policare centre at the Nairobi Area Traffic Police headquarters.
What you need to know:
- Kenya has made progress in GBV prevention, care, and justice, but data systems and research funding still lag behind commitments.
It has provided rescue centres and justice courts, and GBV response has gained ground.
The Kenyan government has made notable strides in implementing the 12 commitments on gender-based violence (GBV), according to Isaiah Byegon, the director of planning at the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action.
On May 27, during the Generation Equality Media and Commitment Makers Forum, Mr Byegon outlined progress and challenges, ranging from policy reforms to service provision and partnership mobilisation. The forum was jointly organised by the Association of Media Women in Kenya, UN Women Eastern and Southern Africa regional office, Kenya Editors’ Guild, and Nalafem Collective.
Mr Byegon noted that the Protection against Domestic Violence Act (2015) and its associated rules of 2020 remain foundational tools in the government’s response to domestic violence. “We are currently developing standards for establishing protection centres or what we call rescue centres where our survivors can run to,” he said.
Additionally, the 2014 GBV Prevention and Response Policy is under review to address emerging challenges, including technology-facilitated GBV, he said. “We have assisted several counties, including Kilifi, Bungoma, Migori, Kisumu, Kisii and Samburu, in cascading these policies to local levels.”
On financial commitment, the government increased funding to the State Department of Gender to Sh129 million and more than doubled the funding to the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board from Sh100 million to Sh245 million, he stated. “This has greatly supported community sensitisation to the effects of Female Genital Mutilation.”
Development partners have also contributed significantly to the realisation of the commitments. “Finland gave us Sh760 million over three years, and United Nations Population Fund has committed Sh23 million for the next three years,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the process to ratify International Labour Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work is underway. “A multi-sectoral committee comprising Gender, Foreign Affairs, and Labour ministries developed the ratification framework. It is now before the Cabinet.”
Mr Byegon said two indicators, GBV and FGM, were included in the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. “GBV prevalence stood at 34 per cent among women and 27 per cent among men, while FGM prevalence reduced to 15 per cent.”
He noted that progress in establishing a GBV information system has been slow and emphasised the need to reinvigorate efforts to move it forward. Although the government has not yet allocated the pledged Sh100 million for GBV research, it is partnering with universities that are conducting related studies, he said.
He highlighted the integration of GBV services into the health system as a key milestone, citing that some public clinics in Nairobi now offer GBV-related care. He added that counties such as Kilifi, Bungoma, and Samburu have developed service directories to help survivors access available support services. On facilitating access to justice for survivors, he pointed out establishment of 12 gender justice courts as an achievement under the commitments.
