GBV cases high in Kakamega, Kisumu, Kiambu – Study
GBV cases: Kisumu, Kakamega, Nyeri and Kiambu lead in gender based violence cases, Gender CS Margaret Kobia revealed.
While addressing the press in Nairobi, on Thursday, 22, April, Kobia made public the findings of a study which placed substance abuse, poverty, poor upbringing and identity crisis among the youth as key contributing factors of GBV.
“The most common forms of GBV identified in the study were physical assault, rape/attempted rape, murder, sexual offenses, defilement, grievous harm, physical abuse, child marriages, psychological torture and child neglect,” Kobia announced.
The report also revealed that 5009 cases of GBV were recorded in Kenya between January and December 2020, the same year President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the National Crime Research Centre to establish a solution on increased GBV cases.
Upon release of the research findings, Kobia said her ministry swiftly moved to mitigate the rising cases.
“In September 2020, the Cabinet approved an inter-agency strategy that includes, stakeholders to deal with the matter; six ministries (Public Service and Gender, Interior, Education, ICT, Health and Labour), County Governments, development partners, and other non-state actors,” Kobia said.
The CS also revealed that loans worth Ksh 300million (from WEF), Ksh 60million (from Uwezo Fund) and Ksh 80million (from the Youth Fund) were disbursed every month from September 2020.
While acknowledging that GBV cases significantly rose during the COVID-19 pandemic and that coping with the pandemic could trigger instances of violence, Kobia stated that the lockdown and curfew rules were no excuses.
The CS proposed a rapid sensitization and awareness creation mechanisms on GBVthrough national and regional media and the established National Government Administration Officers (NGAO).
She encouraged Kenyans to especially men and boys to be allies, advocates, role models and champions against GBV in the community.
“Stand against GBV by among other things: reporting incidences, supporting victims, speaking out against harmful and retrogressive cultural beliefs and practices,” Kobia urged.
