National Assembly Deputy Speaker Hon. Gladys Boss, CBS, MP and her Senate counterpart Hon. Sen. Kathuri Murungi, Deputy Speaker led Parliamentarians, development partners and other stakeholders in celebrations marking the 16 days of activitism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The colourful event that was held at the Parliament Buildings to stand in solidarity with anti GBV crusaders to free the society from violence against women and girls.
The climax of the event was the signing of a Personal Commitment by both female and male Members alongside others stakeholders to relentlessly combat the GBV in the country and beyond.
The event whose theme was, ‘UNiTE Activism to end violence against women and girls was organized by Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA) together with partners.
While making her remarks Hon. Gladys Boss called for reforms in the Police Service as the first point of contact while handling GBV cases to be more responsive and supportive to the fight against the vice in the society.
“The Police Service laxity in firmly dealing with perpetrators of GBV has frustrated efforts by campaigners against the vice to end it,” lamented the Uasin Gishu County MP.
The Deputy Speaker highlighted the need to involve Police at all levels, in capacity building programmes.
Her sentiments were echoed by fellow female colleagues led by Hon Rosah Buyu (Kisumu West), Hon MaryAnne Kitany (Aldai MP) and Hon Jane Kihara (Naivasha) among others who narrated how the police officers had frustrated their efforts to bring to book perpetrators of GBV in their constituencies and called for action.
Legislators underscored that the war against GBV will only be won if the Police Service commits to support victims and investigate perpetrators of such crimes conclusively.
Hon. Murungi said that there was need for the anti GBV crusaders to include men and boys in the efforts to protect them from the vice noting that most of them were suffering in silence.
“It is now an open secret that most men and boys are being subjected to untold suffering, but they suffer in silence because they fear reporting such cases. Consider involving them in your activities,” he noted.
He assured those present of the Senate’s support in making the country achieve zero tolerance to the vice through enacting legislation that would support the course.
He added that empowering women to hold key leadership positions would be one of the steps towards winning the war against GBV.
Hon. Rozaah Buyu, MP Kisumu West who spoke as a Member of Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA) and on behalf of its Chairperson, Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, MP Githunguri said they had made notable success in safeguarding rights of women through spearheading the realization of Family Bills which includes; Marriage Act 2014, Matrimonial Property Act 2013 and Protection Against Domestic Violence Act.
“Other key legislations that KEWOPA has played a role in enacting includes; The Sexual offences Act 2006, The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act and The Victims Protection Act among others,” she added.
H.E Henriette Geigner, Ambassador of the European Union in Kenya assured all stakeholders present of his support in the efforts to alleviate Gender based violence. “GBV remains the most pervasive human rights violation around the world. We will continue to work with all stakeholders especially the State Department of Gender in dealing with the vice,” he noted.
