Kenya has in the past few months noticed an increase, at an alarming rate, of gender-based violence (GBV). The Ministry of Public Service and Gender has now announced that structures targeting to reduce cases and protect victims of gender-based violence are being put in place.
Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry, Rachel Shebesh says they are working in partnership with the Ministry of Interior to come up with strategies that would see a huge reduction in the number of cases.
Shebesh says her ministry is also talking with county governments to introduce special wards in public hospitals that will specifically handle victims of the violence.
“Many victims of gender-based violence are women and eventually these victims are left without any support and that’s why we want to come up with structures to ensure those affected by GBV are well taken care of,” she said. “County governments need to establish a special ward in their public hospitals where the victims can get medical attention and also proper counselling.”
“Family members need to get alternative ways to solve their differences instead of resulting to violence. Children suffer a lot in such scenarios and they also need counselling,” added Shebesh.
