Gender-Based Violence in Kenya

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive and deeply rooted issue that affects individuals based on their gender or sexual identity. In Kenya, like in many parts of the world, GBV remains a critical human rights violation that disproportionately impacts women and girls. This article explores gender-based violence in Kenya. What it is, how it manifests, the various forms it takes, and why women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, including the rising concern of online gender-based violence (OGBV).

What is Gender-Based Violence?

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, power imbalances, and harmful social norms that perpetuate discrimination. GBV can occur in various settings, including the home, community, workplace, and public spaces, affecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. It is a violation of human rights and poses significant physical, emotional, and psychological harm to those who experience it.

How Does Gender-Based Violence Arise?

The origins of gender-based violence are complex and multifaceted. In Kenya, factors such as cultural norms, poverty, lack of education, and legal inefficiencies contribute to the perpetuation of GBV. Traditional beliefs that reinforce male dominance and control over women, coupled with economic dependence on men, often leave women and girls vulnerable to violence. Additionally, inadequate enforcement of laws and a lack of awareness about rights and protections further exacerbate the problem.

Forms of Gender-Based Violence

GBV takes various forms, each with its own set of consequences:

1. Physical Violence: This includes any form of physical harm, such as hitting, beating, or burning. It is the most visible form of GBV and often results in severe injuries or death.
2. Sexual Violence: Sexual violence includes rape, sexual assault, and coerced sexual acts. In Kenya, cases of sexual violence are alarmingly high, particularly during times of conflict or political instability.
3. Emotional and Psychological Violence: This form of violence involves verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, and humiliation. It can lead to long-term mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
4. Economic Violence: Economic abuse occurs when one partner controls the other's access to financial resources, limiting their ability to support themselves. This form of GBV is often used to maintain control and power within relationships.
5. Harmful Traditional Practices: Practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriages, and child marriages are prevalent in certain communities in Kenya. These practices are forms of GBV that violate the rights and dignity of women and girls.
6. Online Gender-Based Violence: With the increasing use of digital platforms, a new form of GBV has emerged—online gender-based violence. This includes cyberstalking, doxxing (publishing private information online), non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and online harassment, often targeting women and girls. In Kenya, online GBV has become more prevalent as internet access expands, exposing women to abuse in social media spaces, messaging platforms, and other online forums.

Prevalence of GBV in Kenya

Gender-based violence in Kenya is widespread and can be found in both urban and rural settings. In urban areas, GBV is often linked to economic challenges, substance abuse, and the pressures of urban living.

In rural areas, traditional practices and cultural beliefs contribute significantly to the prevalence of GBV. Additionally, during times of conflict or political unrest, such as the post-election violence in 2007-2008, there is often a surge in cases of sexual and physical violence.

The rise of digital platforms has also led to increased instances of online GBV, where perpetrators can attack victims anonymously or from a distance, making it harder for law enforcement to respond.

Women and Girls with Disabilities: The Most Vulnerable

While GBV affects all women and girls, those with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. In Kenya, women and girls with disabilities face a double burden: they are marginalized both because of their gender and their disability. This intersection of discrimination leaves them more exposed to violence, often with limited means to seek help or escape abusive situations.

Women and girls with disabilities are more likely to experience sexual violence, often because they are perceived as easy targets who are less likely to report the abuse. They may also be subjected to economic abuse, as their disabilities can limit their employment opportunities, making them financially dependent on others. In many cases, their caregivers, who are supposed to protect them, become the perpetrators of violence.

Online GBV also disproportionately affects women and girls with disabilities. Cyberbullies exploit their vulnerability by targeting them with threats, harassment, and exploitation, often knowing that these victims have fewer resources and social support to defend themselves or seek justice. The stigma surrounding disability further discourages reporting, and the lack of accessible services for online harassment exacerbates the issue.

Gender-based violence is a grave violation of human rights that continues to plague Kenyan society, manifesting both in physical spaces and online. Its impact is felt most acutely by women and girls, particularly those with disabilities, who are often the most vulnerable and least able to defend themselves. Addressing GBV in Kenya requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society, including government, civil society, and communities, to challenge harmful norms, strengthen legal protections, and provide support for survivors.