As part of our European Union-funded Haki ni Yetu Project, we officially launched activities in Bwiri on October 1st with a series of mobilization and monitoring exercises to assess the level of awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) in the community.
During this initial phase, we have had the opportunity to meet with the Gender Desk Officer at Ganga Police Station, Madam Joy Waboelelah, as well as the Officer Commanding the Station (OCS), C.I Nicholas M Katua. The discussion with the officers was eye-opening and deeply engaging. Both officers acknowledged that Gender Based Violence remains prevalent in Bwiri, yet it is often shrouded in silence—especially when it involves male victims. They noted that awareness of GBV in the area is still very low, and most cases go unreported despite being widely known within the community.
Madam Joy Waboelelah, the Gender Officer, shared that one of the biggest challenges in pursuing GBV cases is the lack of follow-through. “A case might be reported, but somewhere along the way, it’s dropped or dismissed as a family issue,” she said. This culture of silence and normalization of abuse makes it difficult for victims to access justice.
Similarly, Mr. Sylvester Ouma, the Bwiri Sub-Location Chief, echoed these sentiments and expressed his commitment to strengthening the community response system as part of our project’s objectives.
Two-Day Women’s Sensitization Workshop
We held a two-day sensitization workshop at Hakati Sub-location, bringing together over 100 women from the community. The workshop on 22nd October, 2025, featured sessions on legal aid, counselling, and education on key GBV topics — including the GBV cycle, the role of culture, referral pathways, and GBV laws in Kenya.
The sessions were lively and heartfelt. Many women opened up and shared their personal experiences with violence and discrimination. Several participants linked GBV to drug and substance abuse among men. One woman, Eunice Kujaju, captured the daily reality of many households when she shared:
The statement by Eunice Kujaju translates: “A man goes drinking without leaving money for food, then comes back home demanding to be served.”. This simple statement reflects the intersection of poverty, substance abuse, and mental health in fueling domestic violence.
Many participants also emphasized the need to involve men and male champions in these conversations, acknowledging that sustainable change must include everyone in the community.
During the session, it was eye-opening to learn that many women were unaware that P3 forms for defilement cases are free—something most of them said they have always paid for. Sheikh Ali Nguu, the Chairperson Alternative Justice System-Port Victoria Law court, led an informative session on GBV laws, and participants went home feeling enlightened about the legal protections available to them.
Several survivors also voiced the urgent need for a GBV Rescue Centre in Bwiri, noting that the absence of such a facility often leaves victims without immediate help. One survivor, Grace Matioli shared that our project is timely, but emphasized the importance of continuing training and support for survivors, saying that “it shouldn’t end with awareness alone.”
A Shift in Attitude
To me, the workshop was a great success. The turnout was high, the discussions were open, and the energy was genuine. It was clear that attitudes are beginning to shift — people are showing up, speaking up, and taking GBV more seriously than before.
It’s true that real empowerment begins when people start to see themselves as part of the solution.
Over the next six months, as one of the CACEG Haki ni Yetu Project Grantees, and even beyond, we aim to nurture that sense of ownership and build a community where justice, equality, and safety are everyone’s responsibility.
We plan to host a series of activities — leveraging existing community gatherings, participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and holding our second workshop in the second week of November.
The Writer, Oscar Ryan Ouma, is the Programs Officer, Jael's Arm Of Hope Center.