As part of our contribution to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV), we engaged in activities that targeted adolescents and particularly girls through our Youth Unleashed Mentorship Program.
25. November marked the UN Day Opposing Violence against Women and 10. December marked Human Rights Day. This annual campaign spans these 16 Days in order to highlight the link between violence against women and human rights.
Recent reports in Kenya showed an alarming increase in the number of cases of violence against women. Furthermore, the numbers of teen pregnancy spiked to a record high. This was a time when services, including rule of law, health and other institutions, were being diverted to address the Covid pandemic.
During this time we mentored teenage girls about gender-based violence, what it is, the various forms of it and different ways in which they can protect themselves. By enhancing our mentorship program, we were able to cover topics that were necessary in order to promote positive behavior change. We further expanded our mentorship program into the Kisumu slums, where a local church invited us to work with their teenage girls.
We further aim to create a strategic coalition with the local government, individuals and other organizations to prioritize the prevention and elimination of violence against women and children in Kisumu.
