By Joyce Awino Ochieng
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a global initiative led by civil society was launched in 1991 at the Women’s Global Leadership Institute. Running annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, the campaign aims to combat GBV. This year’s theme, “Towards Beijing +30: United to End Violence against Women and Girls,” emphasizes the urgency of bolstering accountability ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025.
Kenya is obliged, under international humanitarian and human rights law, to prevent and protect women and girls from GBV. The 16 Days of Activism offer a crucial moment to evaluate societal norms, address challenges, and advocate for meaningful reforms to combat GBV. However, while the campaign initiates vital conversations, its true potential lies in spurring consistent and actionable reforms rather than serving as a fleeting annual event.
Globally, gender-based violence affects nearly one in three women. In Kenya, the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey revealed that at least one in four women had faced physical or sexual violence. Tragically, for many, this cycle of violence ends in femicide, a crime predominantly perpetrated by intimate partners. The recent surge in femicide cases underscores the vulnerability of women, even within spaces presumed to offer safety. Without immediate intervention, the situation threatens to worsen, making prevention imperative.
The 16 Days of Activism spotlight GBV, yet the campaign’s impact must extend beyond its duration. Commitment, consistency, and follow-through are essential to transform ideas generated during this period into long-term reforms. A survivor-centered approach that unites the government, civil society, private sector, and communities has effectively addressed GBV. This collective effort can ensure that the campaign sparks lasting societal change.
The economic toll of GBV is staggering. A report by the National Gender and Equality Commission highlights that Kenya spends up to Ksh 46 billion annually on medical care, legal services, and productivity losses for GBV survivors. This economic burden and social cost emphasize the urgency of action. The UNiTE campaign advocates for increased funding to women’s rights organizations, enabling them to address GBV effectively. Collaborative efforts can redirect resources from crisis management to initiatives with long-term societal benefits.
Preventing GBV, promoting women’s rights, and punishing perpetrators are critical steps in preserving the dignity of women and girls. Prevention, as always, is better than cure. Achieving this requires a societal transformation that values women as equals and recognizes their inherent worth. Public awareness campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism can challenge stereotypes and outdated norms, sparking the cultural shift necessary to end GBV.
Fostering open dialogue and grassroots engagement is equally vital for sustainable change. By addressing misconceptions and debunking harmful myths, society can combat the root causes of GBV. Religious leaders, politicians, activists, scholars, celebrities, and community influencers all play pivotal roles in advocating for positive change. By embodying respect and equality, they can model behavior that inspires communities to reject violence and harmful attitudes.
The expertise of women’s rights organizations is invaluable in breaking the cycle of violence. Collaborative efforts involving these organizations, government bodies, the medical sector, police, private entities, and communities demonstrate that unity is a powerful tool in eradicating GBV. It is essential to shift the narrative that GBV is solely a “women’s issue.” Women and girls are our mothers, daughters, sisters, and colleagues, and the effects of violence against one ripple across society.
Ending gender-based violence is not just a moral imperative—it is a societal one. We can change the statistics and create a safer, more equitable Kenya for women and girls with urgency, collaboration, and sustained commitment.
The writer is a Programs Associate at Utu Wetu Trust
