Nairobi, 14th March, 2021
Nairobi City County Government, The International Association of Women Jurists-Kenyan Chapter in partnership with UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and CREAW (Centre for Education and Awareness) held a joint community sensitization drive at the Mama lucy Kibaki hospital grounds to celebrate International Women’s Day themed “Access to justice in a Covid-19 World.’’
Said Court of Appeal Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Agnes Murgor, President IAWJ Kenyan Chapter and Chief guest, “Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital received 179 new cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and 137 survivors in the last quarter, ranking as number one Gender Violence Recovery Centre in the country. The GVRC (Gender Violence Recovery Centre) Program started in 2015 with the help of Nairobi City County Government. One of the major challenges of GBV is the reluctance of victims to file reports with authority. IAWJ Kenya Chapter has been spearheading advocacy in advancement of rights of women and children and looking for opportunities that can be made available for victims of GBV. Most cases will not get justice and those that will, take a long time to be resolved due to interference by perpetrators. There is a need to ensure Justice is served to victims of GBV.”
Nairobi Metropolitan Director General, Major General Mohammed Badi who also attended the event promised to fastrack all GBV requests. He said Shelters for GBV victims will be completed in the next four months. “Sexual and Gender Based violence is not only a health concern but also a human rights concern, of the reported GBV cases 45% of women and 15% of men have been sexually violated,73% of boys and 26% of girls physically violated and 25% of boys and 31% of girls emotionally abused. Said Major General Mohammed Badi.
Nairobi County Executive for Education, Sports Youth, Social Services and Gender Ms. Janet Ouko affirmed Nairobi County Government’s Commitment to provide shelter for both gender victims of GBV, a twenty bed for women in Kayole and one in Shauri Moyo for boys. Said Ms. Ouko,”It is not only women in slums who are violated but also women in high places. It’s time to speak up as women.” Ms. Ouko also noted that the Nairobi County assembly had sponsored a motion on the establishment of GBV desks in every sub county. The desks would be fully funded and manned by trained police officers to deal with cases of GBV.
Said Ms. Ouko “Another bill, the Nairobi City County sexual and gender-based violence management and control bill, 2015 had gone for first reading and made provisions for the general management of GBV and the shelter house.”
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