The National Gender and Equality Commission has started a countrywide campaign to curb increasing cases of gender-based violence. The campaign to be launched in Murang’a will include special forums for men.
NGEC commissioner Mbithuka Nzomo said surveys indicate the prevalence of GBV in Murang’a is at 53 per cent.
“Some of the cases are reported but many more are not but the survey showed that the prevalence is high”.
Nzomo said the commission has the power to ensure perpetrators are prosecuted and it offers support to ensure GBV cases proceed to court through its legal department.
He said the initiative will involve setting up sensitisation camps in every county.
In Murang’a, the campaign will kick off with a two-day sensitisation forum at Maragua seeking to engage members of the community, especially men.
Nzomo spoke after leading a team from NGEC to pay courtesy calls on Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and the county commissioner.
He decried increased cases of GBV countrywide that leave victims nursing deep psychological and physical traumas.
The commission will partner with national government administration officers and county governments to establish appropriate measures to handle the cases, the commissioner said.
“Drug abuse and alcoholism are some of the main contributors to the high prevalence of femicide, discrimination and GBV in the county,” Nzomo said.
County commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said it was concerning that at least one death is reported weekly due to GBV.
Nkanatha expressed concern over the alarming rate of GBV cases, noting that security agencies report at least one death weekly related to domestic violence.
“Every week, we receive cases of people killed due to GBV or dying by suicide due to marital issues,” the commissioner said.
Many of the perpetrators, he added, flee soon after committing the crime and are arrested in other counties while in hiding.
The administrator said cases of female genital mutilation were slowly creeping back into the county, attributing them to outlawed gangs and sects.
“We have noticed that the societal expectations placed on men make it difficult for many to report incidents where they are victims of GBV. Through this campaign, we hope they will be encouraged to speak up so they can access help”.
Murang’a county secretary Newton Mwangi said the county has been educating youths and empowering them through programmes that will save them from alcoholism and drug abuse.
He confirmed cases of GBV in the county have been on rise in the recent past, saying the county administration will support the campaign to tackle the menace.
Mwangi called for inclusive solutions to tackle GBV in
the county and create safe spaces for all victims.