Kiambu: Kiambu County department for Gender and Affirmative Action has introduced a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) data collection tool aimed at documenting incidents involving both survivors and perpetrators. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle SGBV across the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the tool is designed to streamline the collection of GBV data, ensuring that all actors in the field are working with a unified set of data points. The goal is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of data collection, allowing for meticulous tracking and reporting of cases.
The launch of this tool coincided with the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, held at the Kiambu Bus Park. Olympia Karimi, the Director for Gender and Affirmative Action in Kiambu, highlighted the importance of this development in the broader context of addressing SGBV. The global campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, aims to raise awareness and inspire
collective action against gender-based violence.
Karimi emphasized the theme of this year’s campaign, which calls for united efforts to enhance protections, hold perpetrators accountable, and foster a culture of respect and dignity. She reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing laws, addressing the root causes of violence, and providing survivors with access to justice and support systems.
Kiambu Deputy County Commissioner Titus Macharia also expressed the government’s dedication to combating SGBV through community collaboration. He pointed out the link between SGBV cases and issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, as well as mental health problems. Macharia thanked faith-based organizations for their support and encouraged residents to uphold values of respect and dignity.
Nancy Gichungw’a, the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Gender, Culture, and Social Services, called for transformative action through education and cultural reform. She stressed the importance of teaching young
people about respect, consent, and equality to build a society that does not tolerate violence.
Gichungw’a advocated for integrating gender equality and human rights education into schools and addressing harmful cultural practices that contribute to SGBV. She urged County social service desks to be accessible and responsive, ensuring that survivors feel protected and that perpetrators are held accountable.
The overarching theme of this year’s campaign, “Unite to End Gender-Based Violence,” underscores the necessity of collective action. The national launch of the campaign took place in Makueni County, where President William Ruto allocated Sh100 million to support the initiative.
