Administrators vow to eliminate gender-based violence in Nairobi’s Kamukunji

National government administrators in conjunction with several non-state actors on Tuesday renewed their efforts in fighting all forms of gender-based violence in Nairobi’s Kamukunji Constituency.

In an event bringing together actors in the reproductive health space, Kamukunji Assistant County Commissioner Hussein Mohammed said it accorded him an opportunity to renew the war against gender-based violence in his jurisdiction.

"The coming [together] of several actors seeking to end gender-based violence is welcome to Kamukunji Sub-County. We will join hands to ensure that women and girls are safe," said Hussein.

Hussein said they are currently working to come up with a solution on how to end the vice because several cases have been reported to his office through chiefs.

"We want to educate our women and girls on all forms of gender-based violence so that they be in a position to report to police when they are abused," said Hussein.

Accompanied by Pumwani Location Chief Paul Maore, the administrator announced that their sensitisation campaign will involve men too.

"Many gender-based violence cases happen in our locations. I believe there are better ways of solving these problems," said Maore

Ramwaka Nyadzuwa, the Communications and Engagements Officer for the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance (SRHRA), said they had organised the event to enable girls and women to access information and tools to protect themselves from abuse.

"This event is important because it brings all stakeholders fighting gender-based violence together. Girls and women are able to interact and learn how to stay safe but also seek help when abused," said Nyadzuwa.

Roselyne Mukabana, the Nairobi City County Coordinator of Gender-Based Violence, said Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration is fully committed to fighting the vice.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Pasarris said there should be enough messaging to women and girls to enable them to promptly report cases of abuse against them.

"Women and girls should be in a position to report cases of violence against them promptly to enable reduce cases of deaths and injuries," said Passaris.

Passaris said violence against women is a violation of human rights.

Every year, the world marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign which begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December, to raise awareness and inspire action to combat gender-based violence.

The Kamukunji meeting is striving to eliminate violence against women and girls in all its forms, including sexual and physical assault, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, forced and child marriage, female genital mutilation, digital violence and many others, wherever and whenever they occur.

The meeting also revealed that gender-based violence is a vastly under-reported and under-investigated crime, perpetuated by a cycle of impunity for abusers.

According to the participants, this fosters an environment of fear and stigma, hindering the healing of survivors and negating their right to justice and support.

Leaders in the meeting said despite the serious effects of gender-based violence in all its forms, addressing it is still not prioritised with enough urgency.