Let’s reflect on pledge to end Gender Based Violence

By NARDOS BEKELE-THOMAS

KENYA: As we mark the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) that is celebrated every year from November 25 to December 10, it is also time to reflect on the commitments made in Kenya so far.

It is time to strategise on how to make these commitments a reality by working in partnership with the Government, civil society, the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, as well as ordinary citizens.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign provides individuals and groups a chance to mobilise and call attention to the urgent need to end gender based violence, including violence against women and children.

This year’s global theme is: From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women! The end of the campaign falls on December 10, which is International Human Rights Day whose theme this year is Working for your Rights.

The day serves as a reminder that GBV continues to be a gross violation of the human rights and dignity of thousands of Kenyan women, girls, boys and men. This runs counter to the country’s international obligations, Constitution and laws. To achieve peace in the country, there must be peace at home.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread forms of GBV in Kenya. According to the 2008 Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS), one in every five Kenyan women reported having experienced sexual violence.

Worryingly, the perpetrators in most of the cases are known to the victims, with spouses or partners topping the list. The violence knows no social or economic status – it affects all ages, education levels and social groups, in both rural and urban settings. Even at an early age, female and male children are at risk.

Tip of the iceberg

The 2010 Kenya Violence Against Children study found that 32 per cent of adult females and 18 per cent of males had experienced some form of sexual violence as children.

Recent data in the 2012 Kenya National Police Service annual report shows that sexual violence increased by 8 per cent in that year, defilement by 19 per cent, and incest by 22 per cent. There was an 8 per cent increase (not gender-disaggregated) in reported cases of assault, which would include wife or husband battering. These police figures, however, are just a tip of the iceberg.

Solid commitments

For most victims, justice for sexual and other forms of GBV in Kenya remains elusive. Nationally, only 5.6 per cent of survivors reported to the police, according to the 2008 KDHS. Tackling these numbers will require a shift in the way GBV is viewed by institutions, leaders, communities, and citizens.

The devastating individual, social and economic effects of GBV have moved what was once characterised as a ‘private’ or ‘family’ matter into the realm of public discourse.

Whenever a woman is raped somewhere in Kenya, she has to contend with the financial and emotional costs associated with treatment and seeking justice. The tolerance of GBV at household and community level, and the practice of shaming victims by those with the duty to respond, contribute to the silence and injustice around the vice.

Even as the 16 days campaign comes to an end, it is heartening to know that there are solid commitments and measures being developed by the Government to address GBV. It is particularly encouraging to note that under the Government’s Second Medium Term Plan, the establishment of integrated one-stop centres to respond to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in all healthcare facilities is one of the flagship projects.

The development of a National Policy for the elimination of GBV – with support from the UN and other partners – also promises to provide the much needed policy guidance to different State and non-State actors on their responsibilities in tackling GBV.

Human dignity

We also welcome news of the forwarding of the Protection against Domestic Violence Bill, 2012 to the Attorney General. The Bill will bring to life the progressive provisions in the Constitution aimed at protecting human rights and dignity of all Kenyans.

The UN will continue to partner with the Government, civil society and others to improve the prevention, protection and response to GBV in the country.  

The writer is Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Resident Co-ordinator of the United Nations System in Kenya.