Kenya has officially adopted the agreed conclusions of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) anchoring access to justice for women and girls, men and boys, as a national development priority.
Speaking at the Post CSW70 national stakeholder’s forum, Chief Justice Martha Koome underscored the Judiciary's commitment to ensuring that survivors of GBV access justice with dignity, protection, and without fear. She revealed that the judiciary has already operationalized 13 specialized gender-justice courts across Kenya to expedite GBV cases, provide psychosocial support, and improve justice outcomes for survivors.
“Ending GBV requires bold multisectoral collaboration, stronger prevention measures, accountability for perpetrators, and sustained protection and empowerment for women and girls,” CJ Koome stated.
As part of the commitments adopted at the forum, the state unveiled a structured Five-Pillar Framework anchored on Prevention, Protection, Accountability, Healing, and Empowerment. The framework seeks to address barriers to justice while strengthening national responses to violence against women and girls.
The stakeholders ratified Eight Priority Action Areas which include: comprehensive legal reforms, survivor-centered institution, robust preventative mechanisms, digital &tech safeguards, legal aid expansion, grassroots protection networks, women in governance and infrastructure & forensic investment so as to turn the CSW70 resolutions into localized practice
The ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo backed the resolutions, emphasizing that the Ministry will spearhead the administrative and structural mandates required to support the implementation of the resolutions.
"The government is committed to addressing all forms of violence including harmful practices against women and girls, protect survivors, and ensure perpetrators are held strictly accountable." CS Cheptumo said.
Principal Secretary for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action Anne Wang'ombe said the country has committed itself to practical measures that will strengthen justice systems, expand opportunities for women and girls, and accelerate the elimination of GBV.
Chief Justice Koome issued an urgent appeal regarding domestic dynamics, noting that the broader effort to address community violence must focus on moral restoration, family reconciliation, and the protection of children
Both the Chief justice and CS Cheptumo signed a joint communique on the resolutions marking a significant step in Kenya's efforts to advance gender equality, strengthen justice systems, and create safer communities where every woman and girl can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.