New gender desk in Bamburi offers safe space for Mombasa GBV survivors

As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence approaches, Bamburi Police Station has unveiled a new gender desk to offer critical support to victims of violence in Mombasa.

The facility, equipped with private interview and counselling rooms, provides a safe space for survivors to report cases, marking a significant step towards justice and protection in the region.

The initiative, donated by the International Justice Mission (IJM), comes in response to the rising cases of gender-based violence and child abuse in Mombasa County.

Mombasa County Police Commander Peter Kimani commended the partnership, highlighting its importance in addressing the welfare of children and vulnerable groups.

“This container has been donated by IJM, an organisation working with us on issues of better services for children. As police officers, we are grateful for this partnership because we have many responsibilities, and this collaboration lightens our load,” Kimani said.

Kimani noted that the facility will provide much-needed assistance in the criminal justice system, particularly in handling cases of child welfare, delinquency, and trauma.

“It specifically focuses on child welfare- handling children in their tender years, protecting child witnesses from trauma, and ensuring cases are handled with the special attention they require. We pledge to use this container well for the good of the children’s welfare and future,” he said.

Stakeholders from the justice sector and IJM officials during the launch of the new containerised gender desk at Bamburi Police Station in Mombasa. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Child delinquency

He acknowledged the challenges posed by the rising cases of child delinquency in Mombasa, particularly involving young boys aged 14 to 18 years who are often drawn into gang activities.

“This is one step towards addressing counselling and guidance for children, which can help reduce criminal activities among them,” Kimani said.

He also assured residents of heightened security during the upcoming holiday season, a high period for tourism in Mombasa.

“We have intensified patrols and are coordinating with inter-agency teams, including anti-terrorism, tourism police, diplomatic police, and the Kenya Wildlife Service, to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during this busy season,” Kimani said.

IJM Coast Region Manager Aggrey Juma said there has been an alarming prevalence of child and gender-based violence cases in the area.

He pointed to societal factors and systemic challenges that hinder justice for victims.

“Research shows a high number of cases involving violence against women and children in this region. This is why we have partnered with the police and other stakeholders to address these cases and support the victims,” Juma said.

He highlighted the normalisation of sexual offences as a major barrier, with many cases going unreported or stalling in court.

“One of the biggest issues is that many cases are delayed because it is not easy for children to talk about the abuse they have experienced. They often need counselling to heal and be able to testify in court without trauma,” Juma said.

Cases backlog

He called for solutions to address the backlog of cases involving children, which can take years to resolve.

“A case involving a child can take three to four years to conclude, yet in the community, elders can resolve similar cases in a single day. We need to sit as stakeholders and find ways to fast-track these cases to ensure children get justice,” he said.

Both the police and IJM emphasised the importance of public education in breaking the cycle of violence and abuse. Juma stressed the need for collaborative awareness campaigns involving the government, the judiciary, and the media to reach the wider community.

“When the government engages the public in awareness campaigns, it makes a big difference. Media plays a critical role because it reaches far and wide,” he said.

As the new gender desk begins operations, it is expected to provide immediate relief to victims while driving systemic changes in the fight against gender-based violence and child abuse in Mombasa.