NYERI – The County Government of Nyeri is currently hosting a three-day training program aimed at empowering 50 community champions to tackle the escalating instances of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the region. The initiative, led by the County’s Executive for Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, Esther Ndung’u, is focused on addressing the complex issue of GBV, specifically targeting eight localities identified as high-risk areas for teenage pregnancies.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training, named Imarisha Msichana, aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the root causes, manifestations, and impacts of GBV on survivors. The program intends to impart skills and knowledge to the trainees, enabling them to challenge the societal norms that perpetuate violence and work towards creating a safe and respectful environment for all.
Participants in the workshop include officials from the Judiciary, National Police Service, Probation Office, National Government Administration Officers, the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE). The training encompasses various critical areas, such as strategies to reduce teenage pregnancies and child marriages, advocating for GBV laws and policies, and the establishment of rights clubs and menstrual centers in schools.
The workshop, which commenced on Monday at the Karatina Ibis Hotel, is set to conclude today, Wednesday. Ndung’u highlighted the importance of the training, noting the critical role of police officers attached to the Gender desk and community champions in addressing GBV. She emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts in these endeavors.
Ndung’u also pointed out a significant barrier in combating GBV – the lack of information among community members. She observed that most victims of GBV are unaware of how to seek assistance, resulting in a failure to obtain justice. Furthermore, informal sittings, known as kamukunji courts, often undermine the formal criminal justice system, allowing perpetrators to escape punishment.
Highlighting the procedure for GBV victims, Ndung’u explained the importance of preserving evidence and following the correct referral path, which includes reporting to a GBV center and the police. The training addresses these critical aspects to ensure proper investigation and justice for victims.
This training comes at a crucial time as women’s rights groups continue to urge the government to confront the growing number of femicide cases in the country. According to the Coalition Against Sexual Violence, a local women’s rights advocacy group, since 2019, there have been over 500 reported cases of women losing their lives to male perpetrators, with at least 10 women reported to have been killed this month alone.