The Kenya government has adopted strict measures to counter the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But these measures, as necessary as they are, are having particular impact on women and girls, including elevating the risk of gender-based violence.

In the month of April, the National Council on Administration of Justice reported “a significant spike in sexual offences in many parts of the country in the past two weeks.” They noted that “in some cases, the perpetrators are close relatives, guardians and/or persons living with the victims.” The report pledged that “the courts will consider giving directions on early hearing dates in such cases.”

Violence is a daily reality for women and girls across Kenya. According to government data, 45 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and 14 percent have experienced sexual violence. Many cases are not reported to authorities and few women get justice or receive medical care.

The restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to make it harder for survivors to report abuse and seek help and for service providers to respond efficiently. Sexual and other forms of violence against women have devastating consequences including injuries and serious physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health problems among others sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unplanned pregnancies.

Globally, Kenya is ranked in the medium category with a Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) of 0.2157. The index measures discrimination against women in social institutions (laws, social norms, and practices) by assessing their rights in marriage, access to resources, civil liberties and physical integrity. The Kenya government should urgently protect women and girls against violence during this crisis. Its public awareness campaigns should highlight this risk and give detailed information on how victims, including those infected with COVID-19, can access services. It should treat services for women who experience violence as essential, ensure these services have the resources they need, and make alternative accommodation available when the current limited shelters are full. Violence against women and girls is a crime, and they have a right to be protected even when the government is preoccupied with a pandemic.

To shine a light and galvanize action to end gender-based violence in Kenya, One world one future trust together with AOSK (Association of sisterhoods of Kenya) are carrying out the “Championing the rights of Women and Girls in Kenya” which aims to contribute to the reduced structural, institutional and normative factors perpetuating young girls and women’s disempowerment and patterns of Gender Based Violence.

The project, on one hand, will benefit from AOSK-JPC experience operating as a multi-mandated organization with a long track record of working across the human-development peace nexus, thereby well-equipped and fit for spanning systems and breaking down barriers to gender equality and enhancing peaceful co-existence. On the other hand the proposed action will be sustained by One world one future’s knowledge of the local market and its link with the already operating business as well as its expertise in the field of communication.

We believe that throught this project women and girls will be more aware of their rights, economically empowered and free from all forms of gender-based violence and its threat.

Photo Credit: Davide Lemmi

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