Homa Bay County ranks second in Kenya for gender-based violence (GBV) prevalence, with the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS 2022) reporting that 54% of women aged 15-49 have faced physical violence since age 15, and 23% have experienced sexual violence. In response, the County Government has implemented a policy framework to prevent, protect, and coordinate efforts against SGBV, promoting a multisectoral approach to work towards eliminating these cases.
On October 15, 2024, KELIN convened stakeholders in Rangwe, Homa Bay County, for a strategic discussion on litigation strategies to overcome barriers to justice for survivors of SGBV. The meeting focused on removing existing obstacles and handling complex cases with the utmost sensitivity. Stakeholders identified the need for community-level interventions to encourage survivors to report incidents and demand accountability from authorities.
Edwine Nyanja, KELIN’s Project Coordinator, emphasized the power of strategic litigation in improving access to justice for survivors. He highlighted that such efforts not only enforce and clarify existing laws but also contribute to broader social change, including legislative reform, awareness-raising, stigma reduction, and addressing the impact of violence on survivors.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platform via @KELINKenya.
For more information please contact,
Edwine Nyanja,
Program Officer- SRHR,
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS (KELIN),
Email: edwinenyanja@kelinkenya.org
