How Nakuru plans to fight GBV at the sub county level
Chief officer Gender Gladys Kamuren during the march against GBV on November 25, 2024.
Nakuru County has witnessed a rise in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in recent months, prompting the need for enhanced multi-sectoral efforts to address the issue.
County Chief Officer for Gender Gladys Kamuren highlights the role of the county's Gender Technical Working Group (GTWG) in combating GBV.
"A multi-sectoral response to GBV represents a holistic and coordinated approach, harmonizing and aligning programs and actions implemented by various institutions in the county," she explains.
The GTWG was established in 2008 in response to an increase in GBV cases and the growing need to address the crisis.
Following devolution, the county adopted and strengthened the group's structures to enhance its operations.
The County GBV Technical Working Group consists of both state and non-state actors. Its core mandate is to prevent and respond to GBV cases by fostering collaboration through linkages, referrals, and follow-ups on cases.
"The TWG includes all actors within the referral pathway and beyond, ensuring a smooth process for victims to access justice while addressing challenges in the system," Ms Kamuren notes.
The referral pathway consists of the community, police, medical staff and the legal practitioners.
At the grassroot level, Sub-county Gender Technical Working Group clusters have been established, bringing together community leaders to play a pivotal role in combating GBV.
Ms Kamuren acknowledges their contributions, saying, "Community leaders complement the administration's efforts in fighting GBV at the community level."
She points out that Sub-county clusters are instrumental in identifying areas that require additional support and encouraging partners to focus their efforts on under-served regions.
For instance, she notes that Subukia Sub-county has fewer partners actively working there compared to other sub-counties, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Through the TWG, community dialogues have been conducted to tackle GBV issues rooted in cultural practices, furthering efforts to create awareness and drive societal change.
Ms Kamuren highlights that the partnerships aim to establish a GBV data management system.
This system will play a crucial role in identifying areas that require improvement while tracking reported cases to facilitate effective follow-ups.