Civil societies push for GBV treatment inclusion in SHA policy as 16 days of activism begin

The appeal was made during a stakeholder Universal Periodic Review (UPR) capacity-building forum in Machakos County, where advocates highlighted the financial barriers and systemic challenges that continue to deny survivors access to justice and urgent medical care.

Gladys Kiio, Executive Director of the African Gender and Media Initiative Trust, noted that survivors are often forced to pay for Post Rape Care (PRC) forms in hospitals, including public facilities, while police also charge for P3 forms — documents required to report injuries and support legal proceedings. This, she said, creates multiple financial hurdles before victims can even receive treatment or pursue justice.

“In Kenya, accessing justice for GBV survivors is a costly and exhausting process,” Kiio said. “Charging for medical examinations and police documentation places an unfair burden on victims. It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens, not the other way around.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Irene Mbalilwa, a community liaison officer at Circles of Hope in Mukuru kwa Njenga, who recounted multiple cases where rape survivors were turned away after failing to raise Ksh 1,500 needed for official report forms and examinations.

“Most survivors give up along the way — the process is long, expensive and emotionally draining,” she said. “This is one reason many victims, especially men, choose not to report assault.”

Kiio emphasized that integrating GBV-related treatment into the SHA would ensure survivors receive immediate care, including emergency contraception and HIV prevention, reducing long-term health and social consequences.

“The SHA policy should be flexible enough to respond to real human needs. We believe amendments are possible, and we remain hopeful that the government will act,” she added.

Lois Mwaniki, Project Officer at the East African Centre for Human Rights, acknowledged that sexual and reproductive health rights remain a contentious subject in Kenya, often hindered by stigma and insufficient public awareness.

“We deal with resistance because SRHR is closely linked to sexual education, which many misunderstand,” Mwaniki said. “Through UPR processes and social movements, we are working to strengthen accountability and push for better policy implementation.”

Robert Shaita Athewa, Stakeholders Coordinator at Access to Medicines Platform, underscored the need to involve men in GBV prevention and advocacy, stressing that violence affects both genders.

“We must move forward together as a society. Men’s voices are essential in dismantling harmful norms,” he said, adding that comprehensive sexuality education is often misinterpreted.

“People think we encourage teenagers to be sexually active, but the goal is informed decision-making and protection from social and digital risks.”

This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign places special emphasis on the protection of digital rights amid rising cases of online harassment, stalking and technology-facilitated violence — issues that often escalate to offline harm.

As Kenya joins the world in the annual advocacy period, CSOs insist that meaningful progress in the fight against GBV will only be achieved when treatment, justice, and survivor protection are accessible, affordable, and guaranteed under national health policy.