Standard Group, riders join efforts to end GBV

Standard Group will be part of the 16-day activism initiative through awareness. [File, Standard]

The Standard Group has partnered with Kibra Riders and Owners Association (KRO) for a campaign launch dubbed "mapenzi si mauti,' meant to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

This comes after a new report released by UN Women revealed that, on average, more than five women or girls were killed every hour by someone in their own family. The report, which was done last year showed that of all the women and girls intentionally killed last year, some 56 per cent were killed by intimate partners or other family members.

The report shows that home is not a safe place for many women and girls. Meanwhile, 11 per cent of all male homicides are perpetrated in the private sphere.

The Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu committed to facilitating conversations that drive policies and create social impact.

Standard Group will be part of the 16-day activism initiative through awareness on its TV and Radio programmes and newspaper and digital platforms on the dangers of GBV. Residents of Kibra, represented by the area chief Nehemiah Amocha also committed to ending femicides and spreading awareness.

"In the next 16 days, let us hold serious conversations about gender-based violence, create awareness, and report cases of GBV," said the area chief Nehemiah Amocha.

"GBV happens majorly to women, but men also suffer the vice," he said.

Amocha urged boda boda riders, whom he believes witness a lot of social ills, to join in the fight against GBV, and report violence cases to the police. Boda boda riders pledged to play their part in reporting cases of GBV and educate their fellow men to champion an end to the vice.

"Even when you have differences with your wife or sister, there are far more superior ways to approach the situation that don't involve violence, such as gently correcting your partner, or simply walking away from the relationship," said Victor Ochieng, the KRO chairman of line saba ward, Kibra.

Ng'ang'a Samuel, Boda boda Association of Kenya county chairman said riders see when things go wrong and are best placed to report cases of GBV. "In the ongoing 16 days of activism, ask yourselves what steps you have taken to stop GBV suffered by both women and men in your circle," he said.