The number of Gender Based Violence cases in 2020 increased by 87.7 per cent in Kenya, National Crime and Research Centre has revealed.
The increase in GBV cases was attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The NCRC said many communities in Kenya remain apprised on GBV with cultural norms and practices promoting inequality among men and women.
It said there is a significant lack of provisional rehabilitation and safe house services in the country.
The lack of safe houses exposes GBV survivors to excessive costs to access specialized services.
The Kenya Women and Children's Wellness Centre (KWCWC) organisation has come out to help survivors of GBV access to rehabilitation and safe houses.
The organisation was registered as an NGO in 2010 to create awareness on GBV in communities.
Speaking on Thursday, KWCWC CEO Elizabeth Meassick said the campus is a three-phased facility with a complete phase one.
"The facility has a safe house for GBV survivors, GBV recovery centre, an auditorium for conferences, a training centre, data centre and a blood bank," she said.
She said the goal of the facility is to become the most updated information on GBV.
Meassick said that the facility will provide data to be used in Kenya and the whole region.
"We hope to provide service for GBV survivors," she said.
"This will be a one stop shop where survivors can come and receive psychological counselling, clinical treatment, legal support and economic empower help elevate the root causes of GBV."
Meassick added that the organisation requires support to enable them officially launch KWCWC facility by February 2023.
"What we need right now to open the GBV centre is the help to furnish the rooms and medical equipment to provide treatment, counselling and a safe place to stay as they recover, " she said.
The CEO said that the facility accommodates children and both male and female survivors.
KWCWC has partnered with Radio Africa Group for a 16-day activism on GBV to break the silence on sexual violence.
Radio Africa Group will help in sensitisation of women rights and human rights by providing coverage.
RAG chief marketing officer Caroline Mutoko said that RAG will partner with KWCWC to create awareness on GBV during the shows.
"Radio Africa will commit a number of days and shows to talk about violence that is mated against men," she said.
