Residents of Mandera County joined the Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA) to launch a grassroots campaign aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV). The initiative, led by nominated Senator Mariam Sheikh, brought together local leaders, civil society groups, and community members. Together, they issued a unified call for justice and protection.
Throughout the day, community members gathered at the launch site to hear testimonies from survivors and pledges from leaders. Senator Mariam addressed the crowd and urged women to speak out and seek legal redress. “The silence around GBV must end,” she said, citing over 400 cases reported in the county during the past year.
Meanwhile, local administrators backed the senator’s message. Mandera East Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Cheboton encouraged residents to report abuse through Gender Desks at police stations. He stressed that protection must extend to all genders and added that community vigilance remains crucial to prevention.
In addition, women leaders at the event criticized the misuse of the Maslaha system, a traditional dispute resolution method. They argued that it often suppresses victims’ voices and shields perpetrators. “Culture should not be used to deny justice,” one speaker asserted.
Moreover, religious leaders received a strong appeal from the platform. Speakers urged them to take a moral stand against GBV and warned that silence could be viewed as complicity. “Fear God and stand firmly against all forms of violence,” they told the assembly.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the community has made small gains. For example, officials reported a 0.2% decline in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases over the past two years. KEWOSA intends to build on this progress by expanding the campaign to other counties with high GBV rates.
Furthermore, the launch marked the beginning of a broader initiative to involve communities in ending violence against women and girls. According to the organizers, the program will include legal education, survivor support, and public engagement.
Ultimately, residents expressed hope for lasting change. “This is our fight too,” said a local youth leader. “We must protect our mothers, sisters, and daughters.”
