As the world currently battles the coronavirus pandemic, the Kenya Health ministry has reported a sharp rise in domestic violence. This comes after the government enforced movement restrictions that have seen people stay away at home.
Health Chief Administration Secretary, Mercy Mwangagi said the Gender Violence Recovery Centre and the National Council on Administration of Justice have seen an increase in the cases of domestic, gender-based and sexual violence perpetrated by close relatives and guardians.
Recently, the justice council reported a “significant spike in sexual offenses in many parts of the country in the few weeks.” Violence is a daily reality for women and girls across Kenya – 45 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and 14 percent experienced sexual violence, according to government data.
“We want to remind everyone that the law has not been suspended and that it will catch up with those who mete violence on others during this period,” Mwangagi said, warning that tough actions would be taken against perpetrators.
Giving an update on coronavirus in the country, the secretary, on Tuesday urged Kenyans to focus on fighting the virus and handle disputes within the civil structures and devoid of violence.
The ministry warned that coronavirus cases might be rising in the counties, and said it will be rolling out mass testing. “Despite the measures we have put in place, we are witnessing a phenomenon where the virus is increasingly moving to the counties. What this means is that we must work even more closely with our county governments to tighten our control measures, harmonize our responses and mobilize our people to take an active role in this fight,” she said.
The East African country has recorded 8 more cases of the disease, bringing the total to 216 in the last 24 hours. Five of the new patients are Kenyans, while three are foreigners with six in Nairobi, one each in Siara and Nakuru counties after testing 694 samples.
As cases of COVID-19 surge in Kenya, the government has said it will be rolling out mass testing, taking into consideration the risk profiles of clusters. In Nairobi, the quarantine centres, hotels, isolation facilities, and hospitals have been marked as a top priority, as well as high population density areas.
Although the measures adopted by the Kenyan government are reported to be strict, it also appears to be having an impact on women and girls. The restrictions imposed are likely to make it harder for survivors to report abuse and seek help. Violence against women has consequences including the victims sustaining injuries and serious physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health problems, including sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unwanted pregnancies.
The Kenyan government should urgently protect women and girls against violence during this crisis, with necessary public awareness, as well as the treatment of women who experience violence.
By Ahmed Iyanda.
