Include war on GBV in manifestos, Kwale NGOs urge politicians

Kwale NGOs have petitioned politicians to include issues of gender-based violence in their manifestos.

The NGOs say the burden of fighting against GBV has been left to them. 

Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa programmes officer Dorcus Mwachi said stakeholders have the notion that the organisations are financially stable, hence less assistance given to them.

"Our leaders are not doing enough to fight GBV. Everyone thinks that NGOs are well-facilitated and have resources," she said.

Mwachi said teenage pregnancy and defilement cases have been rising in the region because crucial stakeholders have dropped their guard and withdrawn from the fight against the vice.

She said NGOs are demoralised and weakened since the county is not pushing hard to have a Gender Bill that will support their work effectively.

Mwachi said despite NGOs presenting the Gender Bill to the county assembly in 2018, it has not been approved to date.

“The leaders are not bothered either, they are busy with other things,” she said.

Mwachi said the bill was expected to force the county government to set aside a certain amount of money to help GBV victims.

She said the funds will also be used to construct rescue centres and furnish them with necessary equipment and personnel.

Mwachi said she does not understand why the county has been reluctant to validate a very important bill, despite Kwale being the most affected in the region.

She said many counties have approved their Gender Bills approved and they have proved to be effective.

Kwale recorded more than 9,000 teenage pregnancy cases in 2021. 

County ambassador for menstrual hygiene Christine Mwaka said about 4,000 new cases were recorded between January and June this year.

County gender officer Nelly Amoite said cases are still rising, with Kinango subcounty taking the lead.

Mwachi said without collective commitment, the vice will keep on destroying the lives of many girls in the region.

She said most victims do not get justice because they live among the culprits.

"We have victims who were either raped by uncles or close relatives, but they were forced to live with the perpetrators, derailing efforts of getting justice," Mwachi said.

Some victims are forced to withdraw the cases because of threats and fear of losing socio-financial support.

The majority are normally raped by people who are entrusted to look after them, she said.

Mwachi is now appealing to the next county leadership to ensure the Gender Bill is passed to save the girls' future.

Edited by A.N