Several human rights groups in Nakuru on Thursday 25th November, 2021 joined the world in launching the 16 Days of Activism.

They held a cycling activity from Kaptembwa Police Station before joining another walk team of women and girls at Free Area and marched together to Hyrax to launch of the 16 Days of Activism .The aim of the 16 Days of Activism is to create awareness on gender-based violence issues and ways to address the same.

Speaking to journalists during the launch, Executive Director Women Empowerment Link Ms Vyginia Nduta reiterated the need for collective responsibility towards ending gender based violence in the society.

“We all have a role to ensure an end to GBV. We should unite in ensuring sensitization of the public so that these cases can be reported and justice served” said Nduta.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Catherine Lagat from Wakili Mashinani.

According to her, retrogressive cultures, cases before court taking too long for justice to be served to the survivors as well lack of awareness among locals as the main challenges in the fight against GBV.

“We need to have proper sensitization of the society on the importance of bringing an end to GBV. I think the main challenges that need to be addressed in the whole issue are retrogressive cultures, lack of awareness among the public and too long process in court on such cases” she said.

Vincent Tanui from the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance-CEDGG also called for collective responsibility in handling GBV matters.

He noted, ” while pervasive gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and conducive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms and empower women and girls.”

This even as the county government of Nakuru has continued to up in the fight against GBV.

In an interview, Nakuru County Director in charge of Gender and Culture Selina Nkatha who graced the event said the county has been working closely with GBV clusters at the sub-county level. She was quick to note that Gilgil GBV Rescue Centre will be completed soon and similar be constructed in every sub-county. Nkatha also made an appeal to members of the public not to remain silent when they or neighbours or people they know undergo GBV.

Sensitization is key in the whole issue around GBV cases and that is why we have been as a county been working with GBV clusters.We have also began setting up the GBV Rescue Centres that will go a long way in addressing GBV issues.

Selina Nkatha, Nakuru County Director in charge of Gender and Culture