Kwale County On The Spot Over Failure To Pass The Sexual And Gender Based Violence Bill

KWALE,Kenya, Dec 14 – Lobby groups in Kwale have raised concerns over the county’s failure to pass the Sexual and Gender Based Violence bill three years after it was first mooted.

The county’s failure is now said to be putting the lives of children in jeopardy since according to statistics as of November,2021, Kwale county has recorded a total of 9,328 cases of early marriages.

312 are said to have been reported through the toll free number for victims.

If passed, the bill would guarantee that every sub-county in Kwale has a recovery center and a safe space for victims.

Cases such as rape, child trafficking, early marriage and defilement have been reported in the area.

Coalition on Violence against Women program officer Nancy Njeru called on the county government to do the right thing and ensure the bill is passed.

“Lack of the law is contributing to the increase of cases of gender based violence.  We don’t have safe houses to help those affected as they wait for justice while perpetrators are prosecuted,” said Njeru.

While commemorating the 16 days against gender based violence in Diani, said that local administrations must be at the forefront of dealing with the vice that is destroying livelihoods.

Members of the public have meanwhile been advised to report cases of SGBV with perpetrators facing the fun force of the law.