Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kenya: Losing or Gaining Ground?

Venue: Nairobi Safari Club (Lillian Towers) University Way, Nairobi

ENTRY FREE

Synopsis:
Numerous interventions by government and non-state players have been made in the quest to stem sexual and gender based violence in Kenya – not least of which is the Sexual Offences Act 2006, the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). Much ground has been covered in the last decade at an institutional level to enhance capacities of law enforcement and service providers to attend to cases and prevent occurrences. The corridors of justice are inundated by survivors and advocacy groups seeking judicial solutions while information and education materials on sexual and gender rights cover every public surface.

The public sphere is rife with a juxtaposition of reports and stories on the subject – distressing and triumphant in unequal measure. What does the landmark victory of the 160 girls’ class action suit and the revelation of the Dandora Rapes and the #JusticeForLiz campaign which garnered global attention tell us about the state of our country? Are they indicative of greater awareness, activism and assertion of rights or are they symptoms of a problem on the rise?

The Gender Forum convened in partnership with FEMNET and the Africa UNiTE Kenya Chapter will explore this and analyse whether Kenya is gaining or losing ground in the war against S/GBV.

Proposed Discussion Panel:
A S/GBV campaigner (survivor), COVAW, the Kenya Police Service, a media practitioner, A Human Rights practitioner, the National Gender and Equality Commission. Moderated by FEMNET.

About the Partners
Being part of the Green political movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism, and conservatism, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung is a Green Political Foundation, affiliated to the German political party “Alliance ’90 / The Greens”. The regional office for East and Horn of Africa is a people-centric green think-tank, based in Nairobi since 2001. In our work, we facilitate open dialogue, undertake studies and forge partnerships with and among communities in East & Horn of Africa along the core themes of Gender, Environment, Democracy and International Dialogue.

FEMNET is a pan-African organization working to advance women's rights and amplify African women's voices since inception in 1988. A membership based organization with members in over 40 countries, FEMNET engages through advocacy, communication and capacity building.

The Africa UNiTE Kenya Chapter is the national chapter of the regional Africa UNiTE and global UNiTE Campaign launched by Ban-Ki Moon, UN Secretary General that brings together various actors to bring an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.

Participate in this debate on Twitter:

@HbsNairobi #genderforum

@FEMNETprog #endGBV #JusticeForLiz

@AfricaUNiTEKe #endVAW