National Campaign on Gender-Based Violence launched in Nairobi County

The  2015 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence began on November 25th. This year’s theme is: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World – Make Education Safe for All”.

The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), commemorated the 16 days of activism through the launch of the ‘Keeping the Promise’ campaign at Nairobi County.

On the 9th of December, the Commission brought together a variety of key duty bearers for their sensitization on the duty bearer’s handbook that was developed earlier in the year. The handbook is an equal effort towards the prevention and response to GBV in Kenya through the campaign.

The first phase of the campaign is to hold duty bearers to account. These include the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Police, the Ministries of Health and Education, the Teachers Service Commission and the County Assemblies. These were singled out by the National GBV working group that is convened by the NGEC.

On the 10th of December, which marks the “Keeping the Promise End GBV Campaign’s” Nairobi Launch, the duty bearers engaged the rights holders in a plenary during the National accountability forum that was opened by the Ag. CEO of the National Gender and Equality Commission, Mr. Paul Kuria. He appreciated the effort of the partners who made the seminar as successful as anticipated.

Of notable representation was Member of County Assembly Hon. Rachel Kamweru who is passionate about operationalising the establishment of shelters and safe-spaces for the survivors of GBV; the Assistant Inspector General, Mr. Mwaniki, agrees that the total commitment of the police service is key in addressing this violation; the Ministry of Health represented by Dr. Kagiri, commented that sterilisation must be consented after the client has full knowledge therefore forced sterilization is a violation of one’s reproductive right, CEC Health County representative, Dr. Meme congratulated institutions such as the Kenyatta National Hospital for the recent refurbishment of the GBV Wing at the referral hospital. Further, a representative from the County Executive Committee on Education, Culture, Social Services & Gender, Ms. Stellah Kemunto assured the participants present at the seminar that through the development of the gender policy, it will be much easier to prevent GBV in the county. The ODPP was represented by Ms. Jacinta Nyamosi; the Judiciary by Hon. Lyna Sarapai; the Teachers Service Commission by Mr. Jasper Wambua; and the Government Chemist by Mr. Henry Sang.

This is the fourth County unveiling the ‘Keeping the Promise’ campaign which was preceded by the Nyeri, Kilifi and Nakuru launches that took place within the year 2015. During each of the campaign launches, the county representatives pledged to maintain the lessons from the engagements in order to effectively prevent and respond to GBV matters arising. In Nairobi County, the message rings clear at the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism, marked on the 10th of December, coincidentally aligned not only with the 1st  anniversary of the campaign but also with the International Day of Human Rights-recognising that GBV is one of the gross human rights violations. Let us Keep the Promise!