State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe and the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat have reiterated a joint commitment to the fight against gender-based violence insisting on the need for individual and collective responsibility to root out the vice.
The two leaders noting that Gender-Based Violence is both a personal and societal problem called for concerted efforts, through a multi-stakeholder and whole-of-society approach, to address systemic and emerging issues that perpetuate violence. DIG Lagat singled out protection of GBV victims and access to justice as areas that need urgent collaboration to ensure effective prevention and response mechanism. He reaffirmed the commitment of the police service to protecting all citizens by maintaining law and order, calling for vigilance and cooperation in the process.
Both PS Wang’ombe and DIG Lagat urged the public to promptly report GBV or suspected cases to the nearest police station or call 1195, a toll free GBV helpline domiciled in the State Department for Gender. They also challenged the society to speak out against harmful cultural norms and practices that promote discrimination and violent behaviors.
Besides, they noted that peer education and awareness creation on the dangers of gender-based violence and the importance of mutual respect for both gender will shift long held negative mindsets about gender equality.