The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has urged
urgent and coordinated efforts to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) in
Kenya.
The commission released a statement on November 25, 2024, as
the country joins the global community in marking the 16 Days of Activism
Against GBV.
The campaign will run from November 25 to December 10, 2024,
and it will be centered on the priorities of the Beijing +30, its theme being
“Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action -
"UNITE to end Violence against Girls and Women"
In its outlined priority actions to accelerate the
elimination of GBV, the commission urged the government to strengthen multi-sectoral
responses at national and county levels.
“Strengthen the multi-sectoral response to GBV at national
and county levels and invite the private sector and the communities to share
quick win solutions that may stall or even reverse the prevalence of GBV while
preserving the gains made so far,” read the statement.
The commission also urged the government to fortify the legislative
protection measures to deter the occurrence and repeated occurrence of GBV
offences.
The statement further emphasized the need to establish and
relaunch safe spaces and recovery centers, such as POLICARE facilities using a
survivor-centered approach in care.
NGEC also called for greater investment in prevention
strategies targeting younger populations and involving men and boys across various
sectors in the campaign against GBV.
“As long as men remain bystanders, it is impossible to end
GBV,” the commission stated.
Rehabilitation programs for perpetrators and educational
campaigns with strong anti-violence messages were also highlighted as
essential.
The commission commended the Kenyan government for its
financial support in launching the 2024 campaign and urged stakeholders,
including the private sector, non-state actors, and communities, to join in mitigating
GBV.
NGEC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with all sectors to create a safe Kenya free from GBV.
