NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 27- The National Gender and Equality Commission has expressed concerns over the increasing trend of domestic violence and sexual harassment in the country.
According to the Commission, the vice has largely affected women, girls and boys.
According to the commission Chairperson Dr. Joyce Mutinda, the incidences are estimated to increase during the December festive season when most families and communities venture into celebrations.
Reports from various sources indicate an unprecedented upsurge in the cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) particularly after Kenya announced restricted movements of persons and closing of schools to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Only a university students, Form 4 and class 8 candidates have resumed learning in a phased reopening of schools.
Grade 4 pupils who are under the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) programme are equally learning.
“The COVID-19 pandemic like many other emergencies has aggravated the situation even further,” she said in a statement.
Dr. Mutinda cited a study by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics in 2020 that showed that 23.6 per cent of Kenyans have witnessed or heard cases of domestic violence in their communities since the introduction of COVID-19 containment measures.
The commission said that with the commencement of the second wave of COVID -19 infections in October 2020, cases of GBV may continue increasing “if deliberate and innovative measures are not put in place to effectively respond, manage and prevent the vice.”
She also raised the alarm over increasing cases of abduction of teenage girls and boys who she said are then exposed to pornographic materials, drugs, substance abuse, and sexual activities.
Further, she revealed that sexual attacks directed to girls with disabilities and older women are also on the rise.
“There are more cases of online sexual harassment as well. We have also observed an emerging culture of silence among victims of GBV perhaps due to confinement of persons at home and feeling of hopelessness,” Dr Mutinda pointed out.
To reverse the trend, she has urged State and non-State actors to focus on these emerging drivers of GBV.
”The scale-up of the National Response Plans for COVID-19 and subsequent implementation of Economic Recovery Strategy further presents the government and development partners with opportunities to continue funding and investment in GBV programs including the collection of timely data,” said Dr. Mutinda.
The statement comes as the world commemorates the commencement of the 2020 International Campaign against Gender-Based Violence dubbed ’16 Days of Activism’ to run up to December 10, 2020.
The theme for this year is ‘Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect’.
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