NATIONAL COMMISSION ON GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT

1

GBV)Framework on Response and Prevention in Kenya

Regina G. Mwatha (Ph.D)

The National Commission On Gender and Development

Established the Gender Commission Under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development

The object and purpose of the National Commission on Gender is the co-ordination, implementation and facilitation of gender mainstreaming in national development and to advise the Government on all aspects relating to Gender and Development

Act No. 3 of 2003

In 2000, the Government of Kenya developed the National Gender and Development Policy which formed the framework for addressing several critical areas including

The Economy Poverty and Sustainable Livelihoods Law Political Participation and Decision Making Education and Training Health and Population The Media Policy Implementation Framework and

Resource Mobilization

Why the GBV Framework Many state and non-state actors working on

prevention and response to gender based violence in Kenya.

However, they lack the benefit of an overall guiding framework.

Unclear and ineffective coordination mechanism among the different actors. The link between gender based violence, sex and HIV/AIDS is still not clear in programming and therefore the approaches applied may not be as effective as they ought to be.

Why the GBV Framework Collaboration between the government,

development partners and civil society organizations in prevention and response to GBV should be organized in more cohesive and comprehensive strategies that will allow for more efficient use of resources

The need to enhance the effectiveness of interventions. In response to this need

Why GBV Framework

There is need for an aggressive and multi-dimensional approach in addressing GBV in Kenya. It should to be combated using different approaches and methodology simultaneously through; PreventionPhysical and psychological support and

care for survivors of gender based violence. Effective legal responses i.e. laws that

deter or punish gender based violence perpetrators

Why GBV Framework

Effective redress legal mechanisms among the law enforcement

Awareness creation among citizens on their human rights and provisions that protect their rights

Awareness creation among citizens on available redress mechanisms.

Kenya Vision 2030.

The Kenyan government in 2008 unveiled a long term strategy for Kenya’s social and economic growth christened Kenya Vision 2030. Vision 2030 is the new long-term development blueprint for the country. It is motivated by collective aspiration for a much better society than the one we have today, by the year 2030.

The aim of Vision 2030 is to have a ‘globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030.”

The Kenya Vision 2030

The Vision 2030 explicitly acknowledges that cases of GBV- cases of assault and battery, as well as rape and/or attempted rape, are on the increase.

The Vision 2030 document lays out various strategies to reduce gender disparities and address vulnerabilities: These are:

Reducing gender based violence Providing financial support to women to raise

their incomes and reduce the gap in estimated earned incomes between men and women;

PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY AGE 2008/09

Status Physical or Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence

Age % % 15-19 29.0 8.5 20-29 37.5 14.0 30-39 40.1 15.2 40-49 42.7 15.5

Source: KDHS preliminary report 2008/09

  EXPERIENCE OF PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION IN 2008/09

Status Physical or Sexual

Violence

Sexual Violence

% % Nairobi 24.6 8.2 Central 35.1 10.4 Coast 29.0 13.2 Eastern 31.5 12.5 Nyanza 54.1 21.6 Rift Valley 39.8 15.3 Western 50.4 17.6 North Eastern 32.8 2.7

Source KDHS preliminary report 2008/09

WE WANT EVEN BETTER DATA

GBV incidence report Naivasha Jan 2010.xls

For effective short and long-term protection from GBV for women and girls in Kenya, interventions must take place at four levels 1. Structural level (primary protection):  preventative

measures to ensure rights are recognized and protected (through international, statutory and traditional laws and policies);

2. Systemic level (secondary protection): systems and strategies to monitor and respond when those rights are breached (statutory and traditional legal/ justice systems, health care systems, social welfare systems and community mechanisms); 

3. Operative level (tertiary protection): direct services to meet the needs of women and girls who have been abused.

4. Institutional strengthening to ensure coordination of all efforts and to guarantee sustainability of different approaches.

Areas Addressed by the GBV Framework

Community Involvement Support Systems and Service

(Capacity Building) Legislative and Policy Reform

Institutional Strengthening

Community Involvement

Established community structures that are GBV responsive from grassroots level

Increased awareness on GBV prevention and response at the community and community-based institutions

Strengthened Behavior change programs addressing GBV

Increased male engagement/ participation in GBV prevention and response at community level

Establish and strengthen networking and coordination of GBV prevention and response at community level by developing a coordination framework

Support Systems and Service (Capacity Building)

Community members, including organized cultural structures and leadership, equipped with knowledge on human rights, gender equality, gender based violence and redress mechanisms

Law enforcement agencies and health providers equipped with knowledge on human rights, gender equality, gender based violence and redress mechanisms

Victim/survivors of gender based violence are empowered to speak out on the violations and demand their rights

Support Systems and Service (Capacity Building) One-stop facilities for gender based violence

case management established across the nation, adequately equipped and made accessible to victims/survivors.

Comprehensive referral structures/ mechanisms put in place.

Gender based violence rescue shelters across the country established and operational.

Perpetrator of gender based violence rehabilitated

Rehabilitations programmes for perpetrators of gender based violence established and recognized by the Law

Legislative and Policy Reform Out law Customary practices that entrench

and promote gender based violence. Specific legislation against gender based

violence in line with international instruments such as CEDAW, CRC, African Charter, enacted

Policies against any form of gender based violence in the workplace including all Government Ministries developed and implemented.

The Family Protection Bill, Marriage, Bill, Matrimonial Property Bill, Equal Opportunities Bill, Counselors, Psychologists and Psychotherapists Bill republished.

Legislative and Policy Reform Free and accessible Legal advice to victims/

survivors of gender based violence. Engagement in the Constitutional Review

Process to ensure enactment of an all encompassing Bill of Rights.

Reviewed National guidelines for medical management of rape and sexual violence

National guidelines for Psychosocial care of GBV survivors/victims developed

Reviewed SOA, Gender related bills Removal of discriminatory sections with

regards to citizenship, personal law etc.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

National framework on GBV operationalized

  Research and generation of knowledge/

information for advocacy and evidence based planning conducted and disseminated.

Mandate of key actors to deal with perpetrators of GBV expanded (policy or legal)

Legal, health and psycho-social support mechanisms for survivors of GBV institutionalized.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

Technical and Financial support provided to organizations dealing with specific issues of gender based violence

Institutional management systems on GBV strengthened

Kenya Police Forces capacity to respond to GBV enhanced

DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

-will enable planning for GBV related activities within government

- will enable financing to be channelled to these activities

Thank you