Poverty and expensive and lengthy judicial processes have been cited as some of the reasons many victims of gender-based violence suffer in silence.
Although some sections of Kajiado County have reported a decrease in cases of gender based violence, lobbies have noted that more work needs to be done.
According to several lobbies, some of the areas which have recorded a decline in cases of violence include Majengo area.
Organizations led by Engage Jamii Initiative (EJI), which have led several campaigns against sexual and gender based violence held a one-day workshop in Kajiado on Tuesday as a culmination of a series of campaigns for the community about the need to end sexual abuse.
“We are happy that we have identified key people who can help us in sustaining the programme in the community from what they have learned and they are able to handle these cases,” said Fatuma Kamene, the founder of EJI.
During the workshop, clerics who were in attendance said that poverty is major cause contributing to sexual and gender based violence.
Some people fear reporting abuse cases because they do not have the financial ability to follow up with cases.
Some lack places to move to after being abused by their spouses.
“Because of poverty, a person might fear to come forward and share the situation at hand,” said Mohammad Khan, a cleric.
The government has been urged to set up more safe houses for victims of gender based violence.
Residents were also encouraged to speak out if they witness cases of abuse in their neighbourhoods.
