Lobby group intensifies fight against gender based violence in Kwale

A lobby group in Kwale County has called for the introduction of mobile courts in the far-flung areas to hear cases of gender based violence (GBV) and expedite the proceedings.

According to Sauti Ya Wanawake, most GBV cases collapse due to time and distance in accessing the courts thus denied justice to the victims.

According to Sauti Ya Wanawake Director Violet Muthiga, a GVB audit conducted by the group showed that most cases take time to try and for the court to determine.

The lobby group that is currently working on sensitizing the society on gender based violence as well as working with government agencies tasked to deal with gender matters, is calling on men in the society to help, especially where girls are married off at an early age.

The group announced plans to take the initiative to schools starting January 2017 due to the variation in numbers of girls who start school in Standard one vis-a-vis those who complete either by dropping out due to early marriages or early pregnancy.

“We see that girls are many when they start school but the numbers dwindle when they are finishing, that is why we are taking this campaign to schools where we will form clubs to teach pupils how to tackle the matter,” said Ms Muthiga