Rights & Civic Engagement

Gender Based Violence Awareness

 

 

Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust

Awareness Campaign

According to the World Health Organization, one third of women worldwide have experienced violence; the high prevalence of violence is linked with higher rates of HIV infection. This disturbing trend has a profound effect on families, communities and societies as a whole.

In Kenya, a recent study found that 32% of young women aged 18–24 years and 18% of their male counterparts reported experiencing sexual violence before the age of 18. Gender-based violence reduces the bargaining power to negotiate safer sex, stay on treatment, or remain in school. Girls and young women account for 74% of new HIV infections among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. There are 1000 new infections a day.

In order to equip adolescent girls and young women across Siaya County with knowledge of gender-based violence, Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust mounted an awareness campaign on Gender-Based Violence in October 2018, reaching over 200 adolescent girls and young women through a series of sessions in East Asembo, West Asembo, and West Uyoma Wards in Rarieda Sub-County, Siaya County. In partnership with Investing in Children and their Societies, the initiative was an implementation of the NITUNZE / DREAMS Innovation Challenge project, a worldwide partnership aimed at reducing new HIV infections among young women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries by 40% by end 2018.
Rafiki’s efforts aimed to equip adolescents to understand gender-based violence from all angles, including its definition, forms, causes, effects, myths, reporting processes and legal framework.
Browse

Featured Stories

Klaris Awino Achieng

Klaris Awino Achieng

Aug 8, 2019 |

Klaris is a widow from Lusi village and a member of the pioneer cohort of Street Business School. A year after graduation, she is operating a second business of selling fish, made possible by her savings and borrowings from her local VSLA group.

The Solar Power Difference

The Solar Power Difference

Jul 8, 2019 |

Somewhere in Masala Got stands a grass thatched house, surrounded by the most beautiful natural stone landscape. Inside the house await three giggling siblings and their mother.

Mercy

Mercy

Jun 14, 2019 |

Mercy is a recent graduate of Street Business School. She started with a loan of KES 200 and a handful of bananas. Mercy has since grown her business to include the sale of avocados and oranges, earning an average of Ksh. 1,000 per week.

Browse All Stories