Gender stakeholders in Samburu County have been trained on strengthening the Gender Based Violence (GBV) referral pathway to ensure survivors access the services they need in a coordinated way.
Speaking after a three day training in Maralal town, James Mungai from the Gender Violence Recovery Center (GVRC) said that the referral pathway is a structured method of helping survivors of GBV and a vital part of the response to GBV and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
He noted that the referral pathway provided crucial support to GBV victims by helping them access services such as rescue centres, medical and legal services and psychological support throughout the process.
“We have unpacked the referral process and strengthened the existing gaps right from when the case is reported at the police gender desk, what is expected from the medical practitioner, the ODPP, the courts, the role the rescue centre plays, up until the victim is reintegrated back into the society as a GBV survivor,” he said.
Mungai added that the stakeholder engagement also focused on supporting rescue centers or safe spaces in Samburu County by looking at their guiding principles on the provision of service, resource mobilization, their rules and regulations as well as the different shelter models that are currently in Samburu County.
“The safety of the survivor should be the top priority and after conducting a needs’ assessment in Samburu county in collaboration with the Directorate of Gender and the Ministry of Health, we focused on supporting Sisters of Mary Immaculate rescue centre in Suguta Marmar through the accelerate project funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya,” he said.
Mungai was optimistic that after the engagement, Samburu residents would be aware of the presence of safe spaces and would have a better understanding of the referral pathway and where to get help.
Samburu Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Titus Omanyi lauded partners for amplifying the government’s efforts of eradicating GBV in Samburu County through providing resources and sensitizing the community.
At the same time, he urged the stakeholders to be Anti-GBV ambassadors through the use of dialogue at the grassroots level.
“If we use force to end GBV, we cannot be successful but if we engage in dialogues and approach this issue on a gender lens and not a cultural lens, we will bring GBV cases to an all-time low,” the DCC said.
The gender stakeholders were drawn from the community, religious organizations, Police, Judiciary, Community Based Organizations, teachers, National Government Administration Officials (NGAO), Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs), health workers and media practitioners.
By Robert Githu
