State mulls establishment of fund to tackle Gender-Based Violence amid rising cases

The government is considering the creation of a gender-based violence (GBV) fund to support initiatives aimed at addressing the alarming rise in violence against women.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed that the fund will be managed under the Office of the Women's Rights Adviser and will be used to bolster state programmes and campaigns against GBV while providing comprehensive support to victims.

Speaking at the launch of the 'Safe Homes Safe Spaces' initiative in Kakamega on Monday, Mudavadi expressed grave concern over the escalating violence against women, particularly intimate partner violence, reported in Kenya in recent months.

"We are particularly concerned about the alarming cases of violence against women, including intimate partner violence, reported in Kenya in recent months," he said.

The CS highlighted the deeper societal issues reflected in the growing cases of GBV, attributing them to the breakdown of national values and persistent gender inequalities.

He added that GBV is not only detrimental to individuals but also negatively impacts the national economy, costing up to 4 per cent of a country's GDP.

"We must stop normalising crime at home and join hands in creating safe homes and safe spaces for all citizens," Mudavadi said.

His remarks were supported by data from the UN Women's recent report, which revealed that one in three women globally experiences violence in their lifetime.

Worrying statistics

The report also highlighted Africa's disturbing record in femicide, with a woman losing her life every 10 minutes due to violence.

"Africa recorded the largest 'absolute and relative' numbers of female intimate partner and family-related killings last year," Mudavadi noted, calling attention to the patriarchal societies where men hold dominance over women, contributing to the continued violence.

In addition to addressing GBV in homes and communities, Mudavadi noted the importance of reversing the growing trend of femicide and ensuring women's safety in all public spaces.

"We cannot continue living in a country where our girls and women are not guaranteed they will arrive safely at their destinations anytime they take public transportation or walk home," he said.

The 'Safe Homes Safe Spaces' initiative, spearheaded by Harriette Chiggai, the President's Adviser on Women's Rights, aims to reduce incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and legal reforms.

Chiggai also encouraged victims of GBV to report cases without fear, highlighting the legal advancements that now cover online abuse through the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2018.

The initiative also seeks to address harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and domestic violence, with Mudavadi urging local governments to dedicate funds at the grassroots level to combat these issues.

He called for a societal shift in attitudes towards violence, urging Kenyans to reject practices like domestic abuse, which he described as a "punishable crime."

Statistics from the 2023 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey show that over 11 million women, or 20 per cent of the population, have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner.

"I encourage all victims of SGBV to report cases of abuse without fear," Chiggai said, stating the protection of vulnerable witnesses under the Victim Protection Act.