Uasin Gishu Launches 16 Days of Activism Against GBV

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Between October 2023 and September 2024, 13,606 cases of physical and emotional violence and 1,456 cases of sexual violence were reported in Uasin Gishu County alone.

Uasin Gishu County Civil Society Network, alongside representatives from both the county and national governments, lead a procession to mark the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

By Robert Mutasi

Uasin Gishu County Deputy Governor Hon. Evans Kapkea joined the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network and national government officials on November 25, 2024, to launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The campaign aims to address the alarming rise in GBV cases across the county and nationwide.

Speaking at the Uasin Gishu County Headquarters on Monday, November 25, 2024, Deputy Governor Kapkea emphasized the campaign’s significance, saying, “This campaign is not just an event; it is a movement to end violence against women and girls in our communities. We must stand together to protect the most vulnerable among us and ensure that their voices are heard.”

The event provided a platform for survivors to share their harrowing experiences. Caroline Rono, a GBV survivor from Kapseret, recounted her painful journey through domestic violence.

“My life has been hell since 2019,” she said. “I got married hoping for a better life with my two daughters, Shantel and Shanice. But by 2022, I became a refugee in my own home, facing beatings and violence from my husband. There were nights we slept outside, chased away with nowhere to go.”

” At my lowest, I even contemplated suicide, preparing poison for my children and myself. But God intervened. NORTA came into my life, taught me to improve my circumstances, and gave me hope when I had none.”

Another survivor, Ann, shared her experiences after losing her husband and struggling to raise her eight children. She described her time as a sex worker, driven by desperation to support her family.

Ann Breaks Down as She Relives Harrowing Gender-Based Violence, Turning Tragedy into a Fight for Justice

“When my husband died, I didn’t know how to take care of myself or my children,” she said. “I entered the streets to earn a living, but it came with unimaginable pain. I’ll never forget the night I saw my colleagues killed in front of me while I begged for my life. Despite being saved that night, I still carry the scars of that trauma.”

Caroline Rono Breaks Down While Sharing Her Journey of Domestic Violence, Rising as a Survivor and Advocate for Change.

Statistics presented during the event underscored the severity of GBV in Uasin Gishu County.

Between October 2023 and September 2024, 13,606 cases of physical and emotional violence and 1,456 cases of sexual violence were reported at the Moi Teaching and  Referral Hospital and the Uasin Gishu County Hospital.

Nationally, 45% of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Deputy Governor Kapkea outlined initiatives aimed at combating GBV, including community awareness campaigns, stricter alcohol regulation to reduce GBV linked to substance abuse, and collaborations with civil society organizations to create safe spaces and provide financial support for survivors.

Benedine Kipruto, Chair of the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network, calls for  collective action to tackle the crisis of gender-based violence.

“Let us stand up and say ‘no more to violence.’ This is not just about women and girls; men too experience violence and must be part of the solution.”

 

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