Rise in violence against Women and girls during COVID-19 pandemic

There has been a 13 % increase in GBV cases in Kenya between January and March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to analysed data from the national GBV Hotline (1195).  At least 2,350 women and girls across the country need shelters and safe houses for protection from GBV and FGM. Gender - based violence (GBV)is a grave human rights violation that can cause long-term and life - threatening injury and trauma to victims/survivors. All human rights and humanitarian actors must ensure that efforts are made from the onset of an emergency to prevent and respond to acts of gender - based violence and provide adequate care, treatment and support to its victims/survivors.

Alongside health impacts, the global COVID19 pandemic has brought a loss of liberties. Restrictions in movement have affected people’s jobs and livelihoods. Despite the many hardships being faced, freedom from violence cannot under any circumstance, be surrendered  the right to live free from violence is a basic human right. Yet the most vulnerable members of society including children, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly are suffering during isolation. 

Violence against women and girls takes many different forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, child, early and forced marriage, sex trafficking, so called ‘honor’ crimes and female genital mutilation. It is rooted in the gender inequality that women face throughout their lives from childhood through to old age. Each year more girls between the age of 5 to 15 years are introduced into the commercial sex industry. Women are mainly the victims of domestic violence who when faced with such tragedy they end up committing suicide.

The State has primary responsibility for preventing and responding to gender -based violence. This includes taking all necessary legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to prevent, investigate and punish acts of gender -based violence, whether in the home, the workplace, the community, while in custody, or in situations of armed conflict, and provide adequate care, treatment and support to victims/survivors. To that effect States should, for example:

 Criminalize all acts of gender - based violence and ensure that national law, policies and practices adequately respect and protect human rights without discrimination of any kind, including on grounds of gender.

 Investigate allegations of GBV thoroughly and effectively, prosecute and punish those responsible, and provide adequate protection, care, treatment and support to victims/survivors, including access to legal counseling, health care, psycho - social support, rehabilitation and compensation for the harm suffered.

Take measures to eliminate all beliefs and practices that discriminate against women or sanction violence and abuse, including any cultural, social, religious,economic and legal practices.

Ensure that protection assessments are based on participatory methods and identify the major causes and consequences of GBV: the individuals and groups most at risk; and existing coping mechanisms. In many cases, specific GBV assessments must be undertaken by trained staff with expertise in the area of gender - based violence.

 Ensure that GBV is addressed by the protection working group and other relevant coordination structures. This may include appointing a focal point or a working group on GBV. Standard operating procedures, outlining roles and responsibilities of relevant actors, should be agreed upon and implemented.

 Work with other clusters/sectors to ensure that gender concerns are taken into account and integrated in planning and programming activities at all levels, including in areas such as shelter and physical planning, health, food and nutrition, and safety/security.

By

Josephine K Mwangecho


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