Haven house for GBV victims opened in Murang’a

Murang’a,

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

A Foundation has established a ‘Safe House’ in Kangema Sub- County, Murang’a, to offer shelter and support to victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Premier Peak Foundation has commissioned the House, a few meters from Kangema town, with a capacity to accommodate 30 women, at a given time.

Establishment of the haven house christened ‘Premier Hope Centre’ comes at a time, when many cases of GBV have been reported in the County.

Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Juliah Chege, underscored the need to have the Centre, saying it will offer social, emotional and psychological support to women, who have been subjected to domestic and Gender Based Violence.

 “The idea to have this Centre came to my mind last year, after I realized cases of Gender Based Violence in this County have increased tremendously in the recent past,” said Chege during the commissioning of the Centre, Monday.

 In the realization of the project, Chege divulged that, her Foundation has partnered with Women’s Hope under leadership of Consolata, Waithaka, who runs a GBV centre in Nairobi.

 According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey done by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) last year, 54 percent of Murang’a women aged 49 years and below have experienced physical violence against the national prevalence of 34 percent.

About 22 percent of the women had experienced physical violence within the previous year, while 24 percent had experienced sexual violence.

About 58 percent of women who have ever been married or had an intimate partner, had experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence committed by their most recent partner.

With the widespread Gender Based Violence, most victims are forced to continue living with their abusers, because of financial dependence and stigma.

“Victims of GBV admitted in the Centre, will be provided with psychological support, to help them heal from the physical, sexual or any other form of abuse.

“They will also be trained and inducted on various income generating activities, to empower them economically and ensure they are able to move on with their lives, once they leave the Centre,” explained Chege.

She stated that the victims who will be hosted at the Centre, will get training on farming dry-land arrowroots, that requires minimal moisture and can be used to make flour and crisps.

“The survivors will also be trained to make baskets, while others will be trained on house-keeping, care-giving among other technical skills. We have realized that one of the main reasons victims of GBV stay in abusive relationships, is lack of financial independence.” Remarked Chege.

 “We have already received requests from some victims and we advise them to first get medical and police reports, before they can be admitted in the Centre,” She continued.

The Foundation, she noted, will embark on conducting sensitization forums at the grassroots, to sensitize women on abuse and to urge them to seek help, when in abusive situations.

Waithaka, who was in attendance, claimed that cases of GBV has been normalized in homes, saying some abuses have pushed victims to depression and even suicide.

She observed that some men are concerned that opening of such refuge centres, will destroy marriages, as women will start fleeing abusive relationships.

“We don’t go for survivors from their homes. They come to us and have to have several supporting documents,” she said, adding that each survivor has a file.

She appealed to both National and County governments, to consider partnering with private rescue centres, to enable them to reach out to more victims.

Waithaka divulged that all 40 centres operating in various parts of the country, are private and that many struggle to stay afloat.

Murang’a ACK Bishop, Timothy Gichere, who graced and blessed the Centre, lauded the two organizations for opening the facility that he said, will provide hope to many survivors.

Gichere, however, called on the church, to play a preventive role by enhancing counseling, for both women and men, to foster stable homes.

Virginia Wanjiru, a Kangema resident, said alcoholism is the main cause of conflicts in rural homes, as couples struggle to keep-up with the high cost of living.

She said some men spend all their money on cheap alcoholic drinks, instead of supporting their families, prompting fights between couples and their children.

 “Lack of basic necessities at homes, has contributed to conflicts between couples. Another problem is alcoholism as some men spend what they earn on liquor, forgetting to provide for their families. We hope this Centre, will help those who have been held in abusive marriages,” averred Wanjiru.

Courtesy; KNA