Violence Against Women
Source: The Star
Devolution Secretary Ann Waiguruhas said gender-based violence has increased. She said more women are suffering in silence due to the stigmatisation. Speaking in Nairobi yesterday, Waiguru said the violence is taking a toll on women.
She said many cases go unreported especially in the rural areas. "Forty five per cent of women between 15 and 49 years in Kenya have experienced either physical or sexual violence with women and girls accounting for 90 per cent of the gender-based violence cases reported," Waiguru said. She said one in five Kenyan women (about 21 per cent) has experienced sexual violence.
"Some of these crimes are committed by close relative of the victim and people who supposed to protect them," Waiguru said. According to data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 39 per cent of Kenyan women have experienced physical violence since they were 15 years.
The national survey of 2012 indicates that 32 per cent of women and 18 per cent of men have experienced sexual violence. Waiguru said legal frameworks for protection of women against gender-based violence has been put in place including the Children's Act of 2001 and the Sexual Offences Act 2006.
These laws provide a comprehensive protection of women and children from violence and punishes perpetrators of such crimes. "Legislative and policy measures have and continue to be undertaken to protect the human rights of everyone," Waiguru said.
She said the government is committed to ensuring implementation of relevant laws and policies to combat violence against women and children. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said culture is the leading cause of violence against women.
He said the law enforcement agencies will protect and promote the rights of women. "We will ensure all police stations have a woman to deal with issues of GBV incidents," Kimaiyo said.
The Chairperson of the National Gender and Equality Commission, Winfred Lichuma, said GBV is a crime. She asked the police to ensure that such cases are properly investigated and evidence secured to stand in a court of law.