Budget constraints hamper State's quest to fight gender-based violence

Gender Principal Secretary Prof Collete Suda. She told a parliamentary committee that budget constraints hampered GBV related projects. [Samson Wire. Standard]

Residents of Nairobi, Bungoma, West Pokot, Vihiga, Migori, Meru and Kisii will have to wait longer as the government scales up efforts to set up Gender-Based Violence (GBV) rescue centres.

Appearing before Labour and Social Welfare Committee in Parliament, Gender PS Collette Suda revealed the move is informed by budget constraints in implementing GBV-related projects.

Prof Suda told MPs yesterday that the existing shelters in the counties would function well if enough money was allocated to the projects.

The PS was responding to a question by Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ongera, requiring the government to reveal details of GBV protection centres and whether there were plans to establish more at least in every constituency.  

Suda said her office had partnered with non-state actors to establish 52 safe spaces in eight counties and recovery centres in Level Five hospitals. The committee heard that only Makueni has so far established and operationalised a shelter for GBV survivors. 

“The State department is engaging the county governments through the intergovernmental framework on gender, to establish more shelters,”