Break the silence: Empower and spark change to end sexual assault in Kenya

Survivors of Gender-based violence Caroline Moraa and Julian Nekesa during public awareness of the vice in Kitengela on February 27, 2024. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Every year, April marks the onset of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an annual initiative dedicated to fostering awareness and education about sexual violence worldwide. This concerted effort aims to shed light on the myriad forms of sexual assault, including rape, defilement, incest, and sexual harassment while advocating for prevention strategies.

The genesis of SAAM can be traced back to the "Take Back the Night" marches in England in 1975, where women rallied against the scourge of sexual violence, particularly experienced during the night. This grassroots movement later evolved into a global campaign spanning an entire month, dedicated to speaking out against sexual violence.