‘ENGAGING STUDENTS AS PARTNERS IN ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY AND ENDING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE’

Gender based violence (GBV) is a violation of human rights and a manifestation of gender discrimination. In addition, GBV is an obstacle to achieving gender equality world over. In Kenya GBV remains a pervasive issue, affecting individuals across all socio-economic backgrounds, but disproportionately impacting women and girls. GBV encompasses various forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, all of which are rooted in unequal power dynamics between genders and entrenched social norms. Among the causes of GBV are poverty and economic dependency, cultural norms and traditional practices that perpetuate inequality and the acceptance of violence against women, gender stereotypes and societal attitudes that normalize male dominance.

The 2014 Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS, 2022), and a number of studies show that GBV is widespread across Kenya. Key findings from the KDHS reveal alarming statistics: Nearly half (47%) of ever-married women in Kenya have encountered some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetimes, encompassing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Physical violence emerges as the most prevalent form, affecting 45% of women aged 15-49 at some point since reaching 15 years of age. Additionally, 14% of women aged 15-49 reported experiencing sexual violence in 2014, primarily within intimate relationships. Studies and media reports also show that despite efforts to combat gender-based violence, the cases have been on the rise nationwide. This escalation is evident in the increasing number of cases reported to institutions like FIDA Kenya and covered by the media. Between January and March 2024, there have been widespread reports of gender-based violence, marked by the horrific murders of young women. These incidences have raised alarm about the rising occurrences of femicide.

Noting that the victims of gender-based violence are mainly young people, FIDA Kenya is  engaging university students in  learning and dialogue forums as part of preventing and responding to gender-based violence. FIDA Kenya recognizes that engaging university students is crucial in GBV prevention and response. This is because involving university students in the fight against gender-based violence in Kenya has the potential to create a lasting impact by shaping attitudes, influencing policies, and cultivating a culture of zero tolerance for GBV within both the university setting and society at large.