Kenya government alone cannot solve GBV crisis, says advisor

• Women leaders in Kenya are calling for community-led action to address the escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV).
• Recent data shows that one in three working women in Kenya has been abused, with many survivors choosing not to report due to stigma and fear.
• The Kenyan government's initiatives to combat GBV may have limited impact if societal attitudes towards domestic abuse do not change.
• Women's participation in politics is essential for creating lasting change and achieving the constitutional two-thirds gender principle.

At the Women Achievers Conference and Awards, President William Ruto's Advisor on Women's Rights, Harriet Chiggai, emphasized that the government alone cannot resolve the escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya. Despite strengthened government interventions, abuse continues to thrive behind closed doors. Chiggai warned that societal attitudes towards domestic abuse must change for initiatives like the Safe Homes, Safe Spaces programme to have a lasting impact. The Advisor highlighted recent data showing that one in three working women in Kenya has been abused, with many survivors choosing not to report due to stigma and fear.

The Kenyan government has implemented various initiatives to combat GBV, including the Safe Homes, Safe Spaces programme, expanded women's economic empowerment projects, and the Women Data Initiative. However, these measures may have limited impact if societal attitudes towards domestic abuse do not change. Lawyers and compliance officers should note that community-led action and greater parental involvement in guiding young people are crucial in addressing the root causes of violence. The Kenyan constitution enshrines the two-thirds gender principle, but achieving this through legislation alone is unlikely. Women's participation in politics, including as candidates, voters, organisers, decision-makers, and change-makers, is essential for creating lasting change.

The crisis of GBV in Kenya requires a shift from policy discussions to community-led action. Women leaders are calling for greater parental involvement in guiding young people, citing the need for positive male role models and the importance of addressing changing social trends. Investing in women is both a social responsibility and an economic strategy capable of transforming families, communities, and entire generations. By removing barriers preventing women's voices from being heard, leaders can create opportunities for women to take up leadership positions and support one another rather than engaging in destructive competition.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that the Kenyan government's initiatives to combat GBV, such as the Safe Homes Safe Spaces programme, may have limited impact if societal attitudes towards domestic abuse do not change. As a result, lawyers advising clients on GBV-related matters should consider advocating for community-led action and greater parental involvement in guiding young people.

Source: Original reporting via KBC Kenya