Mabera subcounty has received a safe space for girls affected by sexual gender-based violence while seeking justice at the area police station.
WHOLives, a non-government organisation, has refurbished a room at Mabera police station into a safe space by placing 16 beds and toys for girls who need somewhere safe.
WHOLives officer James Mukundi said the centre will especially help support girls fleeing from Female Genital Mutilation which is still practised in the area.
“The subcounty never had a safe space for girls and children, from those fleeing FGM or violence and are abandoned,” Mukundi said.
He said while girls have been reporting cases at the Mabera police station or await court process they have been forced to spend the night in uncomfortable conditions.
“We have managed to create a space where they can have dignity and be safe,” Mukundi said.
Mabera subcounty commissioner Joyfilla Wambua and subcounty children officer Janet Robi said before the safe space was opened, they had to seek services in Kuria West subcounty at Kehancha town.
“The room will house at least 15 girls and have one caretaker to stay with them, this is a big step in safeguarding girls' and children's rights as they seek justice,” Wambua said.
She said the safe space will boast services offered by the Mabera police station gender desk.
“The space is within the station, but it will be fenced off and a kitchen and store room added soon to make it more functional,” Wambua added.
Robi said the haven will help other private ones in the areas which have acted as safe havens, especially during the December festive season when female genital mutilation is at its peak and schools and churches are turned into temporarily safe spaces.
“Once schools re-open or when circumcision season is gone over those temporary safe spaces shut down, but here we can house those girls who are still under threat or are still undergoing court process as key witnesses,” Robi said.
They were speaking on Monday during the opening of the safe space at Mabera police station.
Masaba MCA, Clackson Mwita lauded the move saying it will help fight FGM which he blamed for causing high teen pregnancies, marriages and school dropout rates in the area.