Poverty, Peer pressure, culture, and environmental issues have greatly contributed to the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Makueni County.
The county executive for Gender, Children, Sports and Social Services Nicolas Masila has said the most affected areas were Mavindini and Kalawa wards in Makueni and Mbooni Sub counties respectively, owing to their proximity to Thwake Multi-purpose dam, where some victims are lured with money, before being abused and raped.
Masila further said that vulnerable women, who have no steady income are beaten by their husbands.
He also blamed culture, where people belief GBV is normal, while women feel they need to defend their families despite the abuse they experience.
“Generally speaking, poverty, peer pressure, culture, and environmental issues were contributing to the reported cases of GBV, affecting both male and female genders,” said Masila, while speaking to KNA in his Wote office.
“Women are less regarded in the community, which makes them prone to rape and sexual abuse. Men are also lured into gayism, due to peer pressure from friends, leading them to being sexually molested,” said Masila.
During the interview, the county executive blamed area residents for failing to volunteer information to help in prosecution of such cases in court saying this has led to the victims failing to get justice following their various forms of abuse.
However, he disclosed that his department has created forums to sensitise the community on the need to be educated and report the cases of GBV in their locality to help in prosecuting the culprits, hence avert the suffering of women in the area.
“We have a toll free number 0700346405 where members of the public can report GBV cases. We also have GBC champions in the 30 wards to help in reporting these cases,” noted Masila.
By Tabitha Mwangi and Faith Mwende
