In every country, children and youth, particularly adolescent girls, experience sexual violence at unprecedented rates.
Child abuse is categorised in five broad areas: sexual, physical, verbal and psychological and emotional.
In Kenya, violence against children has been identified as a critical inhibitor of growth, development and progress.
It has, however, been tolerated because of the ingrained social norms and a lack of cultural awareness concerning the harm it can cause not only to public health but also to the moral fabric of a nation.
Child sexual abuse is a major global health concern.
As such, the sustainable development goals have reiterated calls for ending all forms of violence against children and harmful cultural practices or the retrogressive cultures that affect the development and wellbeing of children.
The World Health Organization defines CSA as the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to consent to, or is not developmentally prepared for.
Child sexual abuse in Kenya is perceived to be driven by developmental issues, and economic, social and gender inequities.
They include peer pressure, drug and substance abuse, poverty, social media influence, a culture of silence on sexual matters and huge gender disparities.
The prevalence of multiple types of violence against children, both within and outside Kenyan schools, continues to be a major concern.
The 2019 Kenya Violence Against Children Survey found that 49 per cent of girls and 48 per cent of boys aged 13–17 years had experienced physical violence, and 11 per cent of girls and 4 per cent of boys had experienced sexual violence.
Additionally, nearly one in three Kenyan girls experience sexual violence before 18 years, according to a report launched by the government and the United Nations.
The results depict a sobering picture of pervasive and insidious violence that affects the entire country.
Violence against children erodes the strong foundation that children need for leading healthy and productive lives.
Studies universally show that exposure to violence during childhood can impact vulnerability to a broad range of mental and physical health problems, ranging from anxiety disorders to unwanted pregnancies and depression.
The vice has profound consequences not only for the individual and his or her family but for the community and society at large.
It raises questions about what is permissible and helps to inculcate beliefs that condone violence in society while also leading to repeated cycles of violence targeting an individual.
Re-victimisation and reoccurrence of violence are also possible and can turn abuse victims and perpetrators of abuse.
The threat and the acts of violence, especially sexual violence, present in the community may have an impact on everyone in the community, not just the victims.
In an attempt to address the issue of violence meted out against children, efforts at the legal levels have in recent years been attempted.
Between 2010 and 2019, there was considerable legislative progress in child protection.
The Constitution strengthened legal protections for child victims of violence and the revision of the Children’s Act protected children from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, neglect, and other forms of exploitation.
These policy frameworks were complemented by substantial investments in primary prevention by the government.
Despite all the ubiquitous patriarchy, Kenya has strong women movements and civil societies that continuously push for the protection of women and children from sexual violence.
Children comprise half of the survivors seeking post-rape care.
However, many cases go unreported and additionally, the reporting of cases is partly attributed to the preference for traditional justice systems to resolve CSA as they offer compensation to victims’ families, unlike the criminal justice system which offers no reparation.
Simply put, rape is rarely reported in Kenya due to stigma and a lack of faith in the police and the criminal justice system, albeit the country has strong legislation to protect children from sexual assault.
Schools and institutions should implement interventions that promote safe, child-friendly spaces and child protection programs to curb GBV, exploring and working together with like-minded NGOs.
Also, the institutions, parents and the community at large should work together to implement interventions, for both girls and boys, that help to protect girls from the occasional SGBV menace.
Likewise, there is a need to challenge the existing stereotypes, and community dialogues could be a possibility.
Typically, community dialogues are structured and open conversational forums, open to all within a community that challenges wrong, but normally aims at achieving justice.
These dialogues work best when people who can take up action are also involved.
However, Kenya’s dedication and investment in preventing violence against children and young people are worthy of recognition.
Student and digital journalist
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
