Gender Based Violence
Gender based violence has been defined as a ‘term for any harmful act that is perpetuated against a persons will and that is based on socially ascribed differences between males and females’. While men and boys may be subject of violence women and girls remain the most vulnerable to the vice due to their unequal positions in the society.Violence against women (VAW) has been described as any act of violence that results in ,or is likely to result in ,physical,sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women,including threats ,coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life(UN Declaration on elimination of violence against women).Perpetrators of GBV can be either be men or women however most perpetrators are men due to the unequal power dynamics between men and women in the society.Gender Rights Network has embarked to create awareness and provide refferal mechanisms to survivors of GBV.Gender Rights Network has reached out to women ,men and children sensitizing them on understanding power dynamics, causes and effects of GBV,understanding human rights & violations, preventive and response mechanisms .Gender Based Violence is fuelled by dis-empowerment especially to the vulnerable and under served.
Gender based violence is a global human rights and life threatening health issue.All actors intervening on human rights issue have a responsibility for preventing sexual exploitations,human rights abuse and providing assistance with no discrimination or bias.Garana innovation for social change has put in place strategic measures and approaches to deal with prevention and response to Gender Based Violence
- Rights based approach-addressing inequality issues regardless of an individuals gender,age,religion or tribe,in accordance to the principals of human rights laws
- Community based approach-involving the survivors and those at risk of GBV in planning protection and response strategies as a way of building on existing community protection mechanisms
- Do No Harm approach-putting in place necessary measures that will ensure GBV interventions do not place survivors or civilians in danger
- Multi-sectoral/inter-agency approach-promoting cooperation and coordination across key sectors to include health,legal,psychosocial and security but not limited.
Gender Rights Network has conducted sensitizations,capacity building ,mitigation ,prevention and response mechanisms to various members of the society, putting in place strategic measures to enhance coordination collaboration and networking between various state and non state actors to address gender based violence.
This has been enhanced through the following programs on:
Health– enhancing access to quality health care services with an emphasis to clinical management of rape care services,capacity building and support on standard operating procedures.
Psychosocial support-enhancing comprehensive mental and psychosocial support focused on recovery and empowerment
Security-enhancing prevention and safety avenues with an emphasis maintained on the chain of evidence for survivors of Sexual Gender Based Violence
Justice&legal –supporting legal and justice departments with an aim of enhancing access to justice for survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence
Social economic empowerment-supporting women especially survivors of SGBV and teenage mothers access livelihood support with an aim of mitigating risks of Sexual Gender Based Violence
Achievements
- Gender Rights Network has successfully sensitized close to 3000 police officers from the Kiganjo and Embakasi B training colleges on Gender based Violence Prevention and Female Genital Mutilation abandonment.
- Currently Gender Rights Network is conducting sensitization programs on community sexuality ,Sexual Gender Based Violence and Female Genital Mutilation abandonment to the 6000 young men and women from the National youth service Headquarters at the Nairobi Holding Unit.
- Over 3000 community men and women have benefited from awareness creation and refferals on response to Sexual Gender Based Violence and Female Genital Mutilation, mobilizing men against SGBV and empowering women on social economic activities.
- Gender Rights Network has been able to sensitize over 1500 school going children on school gender related based violence with an emphasis on reproductive health rights and establishment of safe spaces for vulnerable adolescent girls.
Facts
Worldwide, one out of three women are physically or sexually abused, or have already suffered from abuse.
In kenya, one out of three women are subject to physical violence after the age of 15.
Among Kenyan women between 15 and 49 years old, 12% were forced to have sex.
Among kenyan women between 15 and 49 years, 46% have already suffered some type of violence.
What is it?
Gender violence is any act of violence on someone for being a woman or a man. Women and girls are more vulnerable to violence from men.
The types of violence:
Physical violence: a behaviour which induces suffering and pain in the body.
Sexual violence: takes place when someone uses his/her strength to force another person to have sexual intercourse.
Economic violence: happens when a certain individual abuses or controls another person’s assets.
Psychological and emotional violence: happens when someone threatens you, humiliates you or makes you lose your self-esteem.
Sexual abuse takes place when:
• a person touches your private parts or forces you to have sex against your will;
• someone forces you to masturbate;
• someone forces you to touch other individual’s private parts;
• someone uses pictures of you for their own sexual gratification against your will.
The health consequences are very serious: suicide, murder, STI, HIV, injuries, unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage and unsafe abortion, depression, anxiety.
Most acts of violence result in physical injuries and sexual violence.
Tips to prevent violence and sexual abuse:
• Say no to anyone who tries to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or afraid;
• If an older person attempts some kind of violence, report the situation to a trusted adult;
• Scream and call for help in case of attempted violence or abuse;
• Run away.
Did you know that…
Girls and boys have the same right to say NO to sex and to be respected?
Any sexual activity against your will is considered a crime, even if i_t is performed by your partner or a member of your family.
Most women who are victims of domestic violence do not report their assailant.
Early marriages are a form of violence.
A woman must not hide the fact that she is a victim of violence.
Most violence results in physical injuries and sexual violence.
