Mapping Study on Existing Legal Services for Women and Vulnerable Groups in Particular Victims of Violence in Kenya
Introduction
Introduction
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is the United Nations organization, dedicated to gender equality. It was established in 2011 to accelerate the attainment of the rights of women globally.
UN Women stands for women’s equal participation in all aspects of life and is mandated to support UN Member States to apply global standards for achieving gender equality. It works with governments and the civil society to design and develop laws, policies, programmes and services, needed to implement these standards.
The priority areas of focus for UN Women include: enhancing women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against women; and championing women’s economic empowerment.
Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is widespread in Kenya manifesting in different forms across various contexts, particularly in conflict, humanitarian situations, informal urban settlements and electioneering periods.
Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is widespread in Kenya manifesting in different forms across various contexts, particularly in conflict, humanitarian situations, informal urban settlements and electioneering periods.
The Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2008-2009, shows that the incidences of gender-based violence (GBV) are increasing and that spousal or intimate partner violence is the most common and highest form of violence which continues to rise with 52% women and 43% men finding it justifiable and accept GBV incidences .
At the national level, Kenya has a legislative framework that protects women and girls from violence such as the, Children’s Act (2001); Sexual Offences Act (2006); HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Act (2006); Witness Protection Act (2006); Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011); Public Officer Ethics Act (2003) and the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act (2010), Marriage Act (2013, matrimonial an property Act (2014).
At the national level, Kenya has a legislative framework that protects women and girls from violence such as the, Children’s Act (2001); Sexual Offences Act (2006); HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Act (2006); Witness Protection Act (2006); Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011); Public Officer Ethics Act (2003) and the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act (2010), Marriage Act (2013, matrimonial an property Act (2014).
Currently the Prevention against Domestic Violence Bill is at an advanced stage having gone through two parliamentary readings.
Full implementation of the Constitution, existing laws and policies remains a challenge.
Full implementation of the Constitution, existing laws and policies remains a challenge.
Low levels of awareness and limited accountability to these laws and impunity continue to create a disabling environment for the survivor. Moreover, access including time, resources and distance continue to negate efforts towards accessing justice for survivors of violence.
However, the on-going legal, police and judicial reforms provide an opportunity to promote multi-sectoral and multi-faceted strategies towards addressing VAWG and access to justice for survivors.
Background
The new Constitution of Kenya 2010, protects women’s rights and addresses gender issues in the family, and at community and national levels.
Background
The new Constitution of Kenya 2010, protects women’s rights and addresses gender issues in the family, and at community and national levels.
However, a lack of knowledge on these rights and strong beliefs on the traditional role of women means discrimination and violence against women are still widespread. Survivors of violence, and women in general often lack the legal, psychological and medical services they need to rebuild their lives.
End Violence against women and girls is one of the key result areas under the UN Women Kenya strategic plan with a focus on three areas of: