Every day across Kenya, women and girls silently endure physical, emotional, and sexual
abuse. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not an abstract issue—it's a lived experience that
shapes lives, scars generations, and erodes communities. From rural villages to urban settlements,
GBV continues to thrive under the cover of silence, stigma, and systemic failure. But the time for
quiet is over. Breaking the silence is not only an act of defiance—it is a step towards justice.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), 38% of women aged
15–49 have experienced physical violence, and 14% have experienced sexual violence.
These numbers, while already staggering, may not capture the full extent of the crisis. Many
cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of trust in legal and health systems (KDHS,
2022).
GBV is not limited to physical and sexual abuse. It includes psychological, emotional, and
economic abuse—forms that are harder to identify but just as damaging. Yet many women do
not recognize emotional manipulation or financial control as abuse. UN Women reports that
globally, only 40% of women who experience violence seek help of any sort, and only a
fraction reach out to formal institutions (UN Women, 2022).
While GBV exists globally, certain factors make it particularly severe in the Kenyan context.
Cultural norms, traditional practices, and patriarchal systems play a significant role in its
persistence. In communities across Narok, Kisii, and Wajir, practices such as female genital
mutilation (FGM) and early marriage continue, even though both are outlawed. These acts are
often seen as rites of passage, carried out under the guise of tradition.
In some regions, bride price, widow inheritance, and male-dominated decision-making
continue to enforce the idea that women are property. Such beliefs normalize abuse as a form of
discipline or control. Victims who speak out often face community backlash, bringing shame
upon their families instead of receiving support.
Poverty and dependency force many women to remain in abusive relationships. Without
independent income or access to property, leaving an abuser often means choosing between
violence and homelessness. In rural areas, women face additional barriers—limited access to
shelters, legal aid, and reliable healthcare services.
Even when survivors attempt to seek justice, they are frequently let down. Law enforcement
officers may dismiss their claims, court cases drag on for years, and local elders sometimes
encourage out-of-court settlements that favor perpetrators. Kenya’s legal frameworks—including
the Sexual Offences Act (2006), the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011),
and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act (2015)—exist, but enforcement is
inconsistent and under-resourced (KNBS, 2022).
At Ustawi Kenya, we believe that gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue—it is a
societal failure that demands a collective response. Our vision is a Kenya where women and
girls live without fear, where survivors are supported, and where communities reject violence in all its forms.
Our approach includes:
● Awareness Campaigns: Hosting community forums, school visits, and radio broadcasts
to educate the public on gender equality and the rights of women.
● Legal and Psychosocial Support: Connecting survivors with trained counselors,
lawyers, and healthcare providers to support healing and justice.
● Economic Empowerment: Facilitating income-generating activities and vocational
training for survivors to regain financial independence.
● Male Engagement Programs: Encouraging men and boys to challenge toxic
masculinity, support gender equality, and stand up against abuse.
● Policy Advocacy: Partnering with local and national leaders to push for better
enforcement of laws and greater investment in survivor services.
Ending GBV requires more than legislation—it requires cultural transformation. We must shift
harmful narratives that portray silence as loyalty and suffering as strength. Survivors must be
heard, believed, and empowered to speak out without fear of judgment or retaliation.
This transformation begins with education. Communities need to understand that GBV is not
just a personal or family issue; it is a public concern that affects development, health, and
peace. Men and women alike must be involved in reshaping gender roles and creating a society
that values equality, dignity, and justice.
To make this change sustainable, we must invest in long-term prevention, not just emergency
responses. Schools, workplaces, religious institutions, and media platforms all have a role to
play in fostering respectful relationships and teaching consent from an early age.
Everyone has a part to play in ending gender-based violence. Whether you are a student,
parent, policymaker, or professional, you can take action:
● Speak up when you witness abuse or harmful behavior.
● Support survivors with empathy—not judgment.
● Educate others about GBV and how to prevent it.
● Donate to organizations like Ustawi Kenya that provide frontline services and advocacy.
● Volunteer your time, skills, or platform to amplify the voices of survivors.
● Hold leaders accountable for enforcing laws and funding protection programs.
The silence surrounding GBV protects perpetrators and punishes victims. It weakens justice,
undermines progress, and perpetuates inequality. But we can change that narrative.
By standing with survivors, challenging harmful norms, and investing in prevention, we move
closer to a Kenya where every woman and girl is safe, respected, and heard.

Join us at Ustawi Kenya in this fight. Donate, volunteer, spread the message—and most
importantly, never stay silent in the face of violence. Change begins with action, and action
begins with you.

 

Author: Joseph Muteti