Coastal women's organisations have urged national and county governments to swiftly establish GBV recovery centres and safe houses.
Addressing a press conference, the Coast Women Rights Movement cited increasing gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies and FGM.
“We urge county governments at the Coast to actualise UN Sustainable Development Goal Five through strategic programmes to counter socio-economic ills," the group said in a statement.
Many women predisposed to violent extremism due to emotional and financial burdens caused by harmful societal norms and practice.
SDG Five calls for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
In a press statement read by Tima Aboud, the organisation said women in the region have been disproportionately affected by GBV.
This inhibits their understanding of their fundamental rights to education, inheritance, family planning and property, she said.
“As a result, many women have become predisposed to violent extremism because of the emotional and financial burdens brought by harmful societal norms and practices,” Aboud said
The women from more than 20 Coast-based grassroots groups were speaking at the end of a two-day capacity-building workshop. It was organised by the the Fida Kenya at Neptune Beach Hotel.
Fida is implementing a five-year women's empowerment programme to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of gender equality. It also focuses on strengthening women's leadership and participation in decision-making.
Triza Nafula Bwire said the Coast Women's Rights Movement steering committee is conducting a baseline survey to determine the exact number of women affected by GBV.
The group wants national and county governments to integrate GBV services — medical, legal and psychological support — into the essential minimum package of Universal Health Coverage or UHC.
They want governments to tackle GBV and enhance women's participation in leadership and governance.
“We call on county governments at the Coast to realise equality and women's leadership," the statement said.
Halima Buyotu from Tana River said the GBV rate is 85 per cent and the FGM rate is 75 per cent in the county.
“We appealed for urgent intervention from national and county governments. Girls as young as four years have been subjected to FGM," she said.
The worst-affected areas are Madogo, Assa, Weldena, Mulacho, Kone, Chewele and others,” Buyotu said.
The Coast Women Rights Movement urged Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Lamu and Tana River to ensure staff recruitment conforms to the two-thirds gender rule.
That means no more than two-thirds of any public body should be comprised of persons of one gender.
FIDA Kenya executive director Ann Ireri said the forum is the first of regional meetings to bring together women leaders to enhance women's participation in the 2022 elections.
“We support women seeking elective positions. We also help them in election preparation.
"We want space for women safeguarded in election participation and respect for the rule of law," she said.
Ireri praised IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati for declaring he will reject any nomination list that does not comply with the two-thirds gender rule.
(Edited by V. Graham)
