'Keeping the Promise' campaign seeks to end gender violence

The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) is set to launch a campaign in Nairobi to press authorities to commit to prevention of gender violence.

The 'Keeping the Promise' is among a series of activities around the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This year's theme is 'From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All'.

The Keeping the Promise campaign by NGEC was launched last year with the theme 'Prevent Gender Based Violence (GBV), Protect Survivors and Respond'. According to the commission's website, the campaign seeks to address GBV issues and hold relevant sectors accountable in regards to provision of GBV services.

"The ultimate goal will be a reduction of GBV through development and implementation of effective and efficient preventive and responsive strategies," the website reads in part.

Part of this year's event as the country and the commission takes part in the 16 Days of Activism will include a county accountability forum in Nairobi on Thursday as has been the case with other counties: Nyeri and Kilifi- where the campaign has been rolled out to.

The campaign, which the commission intends to roll out to all counties, is also meant to strengthen the implementation of the various policies and legislations on GBV through dissemination and awareness creation.

During last year's 16 Days of Activism against GBV, the Government launched a national policy on the prevention and response to violence.

The Ministry of Devolution said the policy was an opportunity to accelerate efforts towards the elimination of gender-based violence all the way to county level.

Other campaigns that have been launched recently to fight against gender -based violence include the HeForShe campaign which encourages men to speak out against violence on women and push for gender equality.