A Human Rights activist in Kisii County has said cases of Gender Based Violence have been increasing in the area since the Covid 19 pandemic broke in March is causing suffering in the families.
Kisii County Muungano Gender Forum Coordinator, Joel Machuka said stress related to loss of jobs and poverty is fueling domestic violence in families, threatening to tear them apart.
However, the official has warned perpetrators of the vice under the guise of the pandemic, terming it excuses to ran away from their responsibilities.
The official noted women and children are bearing the brunt of the brutality and some are unwilling to report the perpetrators to law enforcers for arrest and prosecution.
“The women are suffering sexual, physical, economic and psychological violence in silence. That gives perpetrators a leeway to violate their rights with impunity” Machuka said.
Speaking during the sixth day of the 16 days of activism against gender Based violence in Kisii town, he challenged victims to report GBV cases for the law to take its course.
He challenged husbands to shun the vice and instead embrace dialogue to resolve conflicts; stressing violence is retrogressive and has no place in modern society.
Machuka said stakeholders have rolled out a program to sensitize members of the public to shun the violence to enhance peace in families.
He urged security officers and chiefs to arrest perpetrators of Gender based violence and ensure they are taken to court and prosecuted for the victims to get justice.
“Human rights activists will sensitize members of the family to know the forms of violence and their rights so that they can fight for and protect them” Machuka stated.
The Coordinator urged the county government to set up a rescue centre to accommodate victims of GBV to ease their suffering and ensure they access free medical services at public hospitals to recover quickly.
Kisii County Assembly nominated Members of Assembly, Caren Magara noted the breakdown of social fabric and cultural ties have contributed to gender based violence.
“ Our traditional cultural values and support systems are weak. That is why widows are disinherited and their rights violated by close relatives and are stressed” Magara said.
She appealed to community members to embrace the traditional values, respect and support family members to foster unity.
