Victim blaming still remains one of the biggest hinderances to ending Gender Based Violence.
This assertion came out during a public hearing by the Technical Working Group on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kisumu on May 12.
Participants during the event noted that victims of GBV continue to face stigma, a situation which hinders justice for them.
Jackie Milanya from Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEADO) noted that this stigma has seen many GBV victims fail to report cases.
“Victim blaming only justifies rape and murder. The sooner we stop it the better,” said Milanya who made her contribution during the hearing held at Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall.
Jovian Linda, Kisumu County Coordinator for End Femicide Movement noted that this situation hinders proper documentation of such cases.
She noted that there have also been reports of lack of quick response to help the victims, lack of proper evidence, and community backlash especially in Technological Gender based Violence.
In Kisumu, for instance, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching Referral Hospital is the only hospital mandated to attend to victims of GBV.
The 42-member taskforce set up by President William Ruto to address the high rates of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) has been holding hearings across the country.
The taskforce is mandated to assess, review and recommend measures to strengthen institutional, legal and policy response to GBV and femicide. This includes identifying its trends, hotspots and causes.
Dr Sam Thenya, Vice Chair of taskforce noted that the public engagement is an opportunity for voices to be heard, urging the public to be open and share their views on the matter.
“The rising cases of GBV and the killings of women and girls violate fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to human dignity, equality, freedom from discrimination, and personal security. These egregious acts pose a significant threat to national security and social stability,” he said.
Globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023, of which 60 percent (51,100) were committed by an intimate partner or a family member, according to 2013 report by UN Women.
