Women empowerment takes center stage at event to denounce GBV in Mombasa

Women in Mombasa on Saturday gathered to share personal experiences and discuss gender-based violence (GBV).

The event dubbed Galentine's and organized by women's rights advocates provided a safe and supportive space for women to connect, empathize, and empower one another.

Galentine's aimed to foster open dialogue and address issues often faced by women in their daily lives, especially GBV.

“This is the first time we are doing this, however, we are rethinking making it happen, maybe monthly or yearly,” said Zeinab Athman, the founder.

She said she came up with the idea after realizing women go through a lot silently and lack a platform to share their experiences.

“Going through SGBV for eight years was not easy for me because of stigma. Getting out of that was not easy as well. But after I did it, I realized it was the best thing that happened to me,” she said.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in heartfelt conversations, sharing stories of triumphs and tribulations.

From navigating the complexities of relationships to confronting societal expectations, the discussions encompassed a wide range of topics relevant to women's experiences in Mombasa and beyond.

The event was also attended by women entrepreneurs explaining what inspires and drives them in their daily activities.

Founder of Galentine’s Zeinab Athman. (Farhiya Hussein)

Guest speakers at the event included life coaches, legal experts, and women's rights activists, who provided valuable insights on how to overcome GBV.

Topics such as self-care, legal rights, and accessing support services were also discussed.

"This gathering is a testament to the strength and resilience of women," said Naila Abdallah, one of the guests.

“By coming together, we amplify our voices and advocate for change in our communities. Galentine's is more than just a celebration, it is a call to action for gender equality and social justice."

According to the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS), cases of GBV seen in Mombasa County health facilities increased from 420 in 2018 to 1865 in 2021 with the most affected cohort being 18-49 years totalling 1,415 cases. The cohort of 10-17 years had a total of 1,469 cases.

Mombasa's Strategic plan for 2022-2027 highlights the four main models of GBV management to include; one-stop health centers, outpatient clinics, integrated care within hospitals giving 24-hour services, and stand-alone centers. Health centers or outpatient clinics, public or private, are decentralized and offer survivors basic emergency care.

The county notes that eliminating violence against women, girls, men, boys, and other vulnerable populations requires a community-led, community-owned, multi-faceted approach and sustained engagement with stakeholders.

"The emerging cases of violence against boys and men cannot be ignored as the county considers leaving no one behind," it notes.

The strategic plan aims to provide integrated comprehensive and well-coordinated GBV interventions within Mombasa County. It gives strategic direction for better implementation and coordination of sustainable interventions related to the health and social system response to GBV cases.

Initially, GBV services were offered only at the County Referral Hospital but this has since been decentralized to 21 public health facilities within the county increasing access to GBV care and reporting.

The Mombasa County report dated May 2020 to November 2022, shows a total of 1,275 Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases were recorded in the county within that period.

In December 2022, alone, 18 cases were reported.

The report also singles out Kisauni and Mvita constituencies where the vice is rife. Kisauni leads in cases, while Mvita leads in domestic ones.

Domestic violence cases were the most rampant in all the six sub-counties of Mombasa, recording 710 cases, followed by defilement cases at 158. Mvita recorded 223 domestic cases, making it the hotspot sub-county, followed by Kisauni which had 174 cases.