FIDA-Kenya Chair Calls for Stronger Regional Action to Tackle SGBV

Earlier today, FIDA-Kenya Chairperson Christine Kungu joined experts and policymakers at the Regional Roundtable on Regional Mechanisms to Counter Emerging Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Trends.

Speaking as a panellist, Ms. Kungu underscored the urgent need for East African countries to adopt unified strategies to curb the rising tide of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). She emphasised that harmonising legal and policy frameworks across the region and establishing clear minimum standards are critical steps to close existing legal gaps and improve prevention, protection, and response services for survivors.

The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Tulibake Kasongwa, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of Tanzania’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Child Protection Task Force.

The two-day conference, convened by Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, brought together stakeholders from across the region. Participants agreed on the need to set up a regional SGBV coordination mechanism, strengthen cross-border prevention and response systems, develop standardised training for frontline responders, promote public awareness and behaviour change campaigns, and enhance regional collaboration on data and research.