Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) will now be able to access free medical services at Kajiado County Referral Hospital Gender-Based Violence and Recovery Centre.
The GBVRC Centre, which was established by the County Government with support from the Collaborative Centre and Gender Development (CCGD) and MasterCard Foundation, provides clinical and psycho-social services to SGBV survivors as well as boost the referral chain by supporting the collection and preservation of forensic evidence for prosecution of cases.
County Executive Member for Health, Alex Kilowua noted that cases of SGBV were on the rise and urged residents to make use of the facility.
He said the centre offers a safe space where survivors can get support services including medical attention and psychosocial support.
The CECM revealed that it was not only women and girls who suffer from SGBV but also men.
“SGBV affects all genders, it is not girls and women only, even men are affected but very few are coming out to seek treatment due to fear and stigma,” he said.
Victims of SGBV are encouraged to utilise the free GBV helplines 1195 and 1198 to access free tele-counselling.
According to Kajiado’s status report on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) between December 2021 and December 2023, 436 survivors of SGBV were treated at the Referral Hospital.
In 2023 alone, 145 sexual and gender-based violence cases were reported. Out of the number were 13 men.
The report further reveals that 92 teenage girls were impregnated through sexual violence in 2023. During the same period, 10 young girls were rescued from forced early marriages.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, 36 per cent of women aged 15–49 years in Kajiado County have experienced physical violence since age 15, which is higher than the national average of 34 per cent.
The survey further shows that 37 per cent of women of a similar age who have ever been married or had an intimate partner have experienced physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence committed by their most recent husbands or partners.
By Rop Janet
