The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has intensified its equality and inclusion programme, aimed at combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the country.
At the same time, the commission warned that the vice has reached worrying levels and continues to undermine the country’s social fabric.
Speaking during a courtesy call at the office of Murang’a governor, NGEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Purity Ngina disclosed that 70 percent of female athletes have experienced GBV, which indicates that the vice is widespread and called for urgent action from all stakeholders.
“GBV is not a distant issue; it is pervasive, it can happen anywhere and to anyone. No sector is immune,” she stressed.
Dr. Ngina warned that the vice has far-reaching effects on individuals, families and the economy.
“It erodes dignity, undermines justice, and threatens public safety. When we fail to protect our girls and women, we are failing an entire generation,” she said.
The CEO revealed that 15 percent of girls in Kenya have fallen victim to teenage pregnancies in the recent past, many of them through defilement, a crisis she described as heartbreaking.
“These statistics are not just numbers. They represent lives shattered by violence and abuse. We cannot afford to normalize such violations,” she added.
Ngina said the Commission is not only pushing for timely justice for survivors, but also monitoring compliance with equality standards at both national and county levels.
“As a Commission, we are demanding justice for victims and survivors, while also holding institutions accountable. But we are deeply concerned by the backlog of GBV cases in the courts, which delays justice and prolongs the suffering of survivors,” she noted, divulging that in Meru county there is a severe backlog of GBV cases, which are overwhelming the judiciary
Dr. Ngina further revealed that NGEC is rolling out awareness programmes in all 47 counties to equip members of the public with knowledge on their rights and responsibilities.
“We want children to grow up understanding that their rights matter and that no one has the authority to violate them,” she emphasized.
The CEO commended the Murang’a county government for introducing a daycare programme for school-going mothers.
“This is a brilliant initiative because it ensures that young mothers are not locked out of education simply because they had children early. It is a model that should be replicated across the country,” she said.
Murang’a Deputy County Secretary Bernard Kariuki outlined county initiatives, aimed at uplifting women, including the Maize Programme and the Kang’ata Care Programme, which he said have benefited over 40,000 women-led households.
“When you empower a woman, you empower the community. We are already seeing the positive ripple effects of these programmes in Murang’a,” Kariuki stated.
The Commission urged county leadership to integrate equality and inclusion into policies and budgets, allocate resources for GBV prevention and survivor support, and strengthen accountability mechanisms through better data, coordination and transparency.
NGEC reaffirmed its commitment to guiding and monitoring the process, while showcasing Murang’a’s progress as a model for the nation.
By Bernard Munyao and Purity Mugo
