WAR AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

WAR AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 

14th September 2023

By John Toris 

Leaders drawn from different sectors has this morning gathered in Nairobi to promote gender equality and wage war against gender violence.

The forum was graced by PS for Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action whilo represented CS Aisha Jumwa at the 'Generation Equality Forum Midpoint Moment' session to reflect on the progress made so far following a five-year global commitment by state, non-state, corporate and civil society organisations to promote gender equality.

Speaking during the forum, the leaders noted that gender-based violence spikes in post - conflict societies, due to the general break down of the rule of law, the availability of small arms, the breakdown of social and family structures and the normalization of gender-based violence as an additional element of pre-existing discrimination. In addition, trafficking is also exacerbated during and after conflict owing to the breakdown of political, economic and social structures, high levels of violence and increased militarism.

The leaders as well said that lack of delivery of essential services to the population experienced during conflict and situations of strife and instability can have a disproportionate impact on specific groups of the population, including women and girls—again, often building on pre-existing situations of discrimination.

PHOTO: PS for the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action Veronica Mueni at the Generation Equality Forum Midpoint Moment' session at Safari Park Hotel Nairobi.

Anna Mutavati, who is the UN representative of Women Kenya said that girls can face other barriers in their journey to seek knowledge. " Girls can face additional obstacles in accessing education, and these barriers are due to fear of targeted attacks and threats against them, and to the additional caregiving and household responsibilities that girls are often obliged to assume." Mutavati said.

According to her, women are forced to look for alternative sources of livelihood, as family survival comes to depend heavily on them. 


"Access to essential services such as health care, including sexual and reproductive health services can be disrupted, with women and girls being at a greater risk of unplanned pregnancy, maternal mortality and morbidity, severe sexual and reproductive injuries and contracting sexually transmitted infections, including as a result of conflict-related sexual violence". She further said.

The two-day forum has brought together state, non-state, corporate and civil society organisations to promote gender equality.


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