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Highlighting The Gender Gaps And Opportunities In A Family Set Up To Address GBV
As I enter this one hall in Agyle hotel for a meeting, the first thing I see at the entrance is a huge hanger with different types of clothes.
6 months old baby clothes, a ragged t-shirt, a bra, a mans trouser, a kids blouse, onesie, a grandmas’ blouse name them all.
For a moment, my heart skips as I strategically set myself at a corner. I turn around and see my colleagues on the left and i give them a wink “I am now at peace, being in the right place” I told myself
But again, was the agenda of the meeting still the same?
As I grabbed my pen and a notebook, the MC says “As you all can see, all the clothes near the entrance, represents victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV)”
You all are wondering, the six months old baby clothes? Recently, a father raped his six months old daughter and she passed on. In another case, a 97 year old grandma was also raped.
To resolve the issue of GBV, we have to address the gaps and opportunities in the national policy on family promotion and protection, 2023
Along with economy, governance and education, the family is universally viewed as one of the foundations of civil order without which no society can function.
Highlighting The Gender Gaps And Opportunities In A Family Set Up To Address GBV
As the setting for demographic reproduction, the seat of the first integration of individuals into social life, and the source of emotional , material and instrumental support for its members z the family influencers, the way society is structured, organized and functions.
Speaking during the meeting, Embakasi East Member of National Assembly, Hon. Babu Owino who was/is a He for She Ambassador defending our mothers, women, sisters, and daughters against Gender Based Violence says that for an impacted society that has zero or minimal cases of GBV, children need to be raised with love.
Highlighting The Gender Gaps And Opportunities In A Family Set Up To Address GBV
“A child learns by what they see not what they hear. If they see love in marriage they will give love, if they see violence they will give violence. Close to 80% of prisoners in the country come from broken families. I urge parents to have peaceful marriages and raise a generation that knows how to amicably solve any type of conflict” https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17hTBJ59Vc/
Hon. Sabina Chege who is a victim of GBV who was present during the meeting, urged young lovers to speak up in their relationships to resolve any bitting issue . “Back in campus, I became a young mum in a toxic relationship. This was my first love and I thought perhaps the man would change someday. But the physical and emotional torture was too much that I left the marriage and started life afresh.”
Having had a fair share of GBV, Sabina is in the forefront with her counterparts during the 16 days of activism. “We stand united in the fight against Gender-Based Violence. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and rights for all. I reiterate my commitment to ensure that families are safe and free from any form of gender based violence and I applaud the young people from YPLUS Kenya that organized the event to highlight the opportunities”
Highlighting The Gender Gaps And Opportunities In A Family Set Up To Address GBV
The Kenyan National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection is a significant step towards strengthening families and promoting their wellbeing.
However, it has various misses towards more inclusive families which include single parent households, blended families and LGBTQ+ families, hindering their access to support services and protection.
The Organization of Young People Living with HIV in Kenya (Y+ Kenya ) recommends expansion of definition of family, addressing the needs of marginalized groups such as PWDs and those living with HIV/AIDS, strengthening gender equality and women empowerment and strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration.
Y+Kenya has urged the government to foster collaborations between government agencies, civil society organizations and community based groups to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to family support.
Remember that ending GBV is everyone’s business.
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