By Melisa Mong’ina
Kenya Women of Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has joined the global fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at a critical time when the country is grappling with a lot of femicide cases, coinciding with the launch of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign. KEWOPA has urged the government and all the stakeholders to join forces and eliminate gender-based violence against women and girls in Kenya and beyond.
Speaking during a sensitisation campaign at Kileleshwa Primary School, Beatrice Elachi, Dagoretti North MP, emphasised the need for accountability in addressing GBV to foster a safer environment for both women and girls. She noted that some of these girls are often unaware that some of their organs have been removed, and, in some cases, parents don’t thoroughly examine their children’s bodies.
“By tackling systemic challenges and ensuring accountability, we can create a safer society for women and girls. I once visited a GBV victim at Mbagathi Hospital who was unaware that some of her organs had been removed. Many parents are also oblivious to such atrocities; when they find their children’s lifeless bodies in the mortuary, they don’t conduct thorough checks,” said Beatrice Elachi.
She further highlighted the importance of offering platforms for these survivors so that they can share their stories with the world and help create awareness among their peers.
“We must also provide platforms for survivors and activists to share their stories and advocate for gender-responsive solutions,” she added.
Elachi urged parents to take an active role in preventing violence against both boys and girls. She also emphasized the need to instill moral values in high school children and university students so as to create awareness and educate them about loving and caring for one another.
“Let your children show you their friends, do not just assume they are in good company. I know we have very many cases of femicide in the country and that the president has promised us money, but this is a moral issue. We need to instill moral values in our children both in high schools and universities,” she advised.
Valarie Aura, a survivor of Gender-Based Violence, appealed to the government to establish and adequately equip safe houses for women and girls who have experienced brutality, urging that the presence of these protected areas would create a safe environment for these survivors.
“GBV survivors need safe houses. I am a survivor who walked away from a violent home, escaping alongside my mother and sisters. If we can have a place that can offer all these things, including legal support then these victims and survivors will feel safe,” she shared.
She encouraged women who have suffered abuse to speak out and not feel ashamed. She also applauded the men joining the fight against GBV during this 16 Days of Activism campaign.
“I am grateful to see many men participating in this campaign. This is a positive step for us and for our country. Women survivors of GBV should speak out rather than remain silent due to fear or shame,” she urged.
