The Ministry of Public Service and Gender is working on structures targeting to reduce cases and protect victims of gender-based violence.
Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry Rachel Shebesh said they were working in partnership with the Ministry of Interior to come up with strategies which would see a reduction of the cases which have of late increased at an alarming rate.
Shebesh said her ministry was also working with county governments to ensure there were special wards in public hospitals that will specifically handle victims of the violence.
The CAS who was accompanied by Murang’a County Woman Representative Sabina Chege was speaking Thursday as she inspected works of renovation of the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway line being undertaken by youth drawn from National Youth Service.
She noted that officers in the Ministry of Interior including chiefs and their assistants were on the ground and if well engaged they could help to curb the increased cases of gender-based violence.
“Many victims of gender-based violence are women and eventually these victims are left without any support and that’s why we want to come up with structures to ensure those affected by GBV are well taken care of,” she said.
“County governments need to establish a special ward in their public hospitals where the victims can get medical attention and also proper counseling,” said Shebesh at Mbombo area in Murang’a.
The CAS observed that during this time the country is faced by the Covid-19 pandemic, GBV cases have been reported from many different parts of the country.
“Family members need to get alternative ways to solve their differences instead of resulting to violence. Children suffer a lot in such scenarios and they also need counseling,” added Shebesh.
Meanwhile, the CAS lauded the work being done by recruits of NYS in rehabilitating the Nairobi – Nanyuki railway which is earmarked for launching soon.
She said the young people have helped achieve development projects in many ways saying from July, Kazi Mtaani programme would be rolled out in the remaining counties.
“Kazi Mtaani programme will be rolled out in the remaining 39 counties. The programme has been going on well in the first eight counties where it was launched. The initiative will help in managing hygiene in public areas as the government strives to contain the spread of COVID-19,” said the CAS.
Speaking during the same occasion, Chege asked young people to protect the railway line as the infrastructure would spearhead economic and social welfare to residents of the Mount Kenya region.
She noted that some people were fond of stealing materials from construction sites saying equipment for the railway line needed to be safeguarded.
By Bernard Munyao
Government working on structures to curb gender based violence
