This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
June 27, 2020, marked a devastating reality for many Kenyan families, as the Ministry of Education responded to the alarming number of teen girls who were raped and impregnated. Instead of holding perpetrators accountable, the Ministry shifted the blame to parents and pornography, trivializing the heinous crimes committed against these young victims.
According to data, a majority of these incidents were carried out by male parents, guardians, or caregivers living in the same houses as the victims. This is a stark reminder that rape culture thrives in silence, and it's time for us to confront the language and structures that enable it.
UN Women emphasizes the importance of establishing policies of zero tolerance for sexual harassment and violence in every space. Leaders must be clear about their commitment to upholding these policies and creating a culture where victims are believed and supported.
Changing attitudes and cultures that condone and blur rape requires a strategic approach. We must address the structural biases that hinder progressive handling of rape cases, the consequences of victimization, and the lack of compassion shown towards victims.
Ultimately, understanding rape culture is crucial for training the media, police, legislatures, and policymakers on how to address this systemic issue. It's time to stop denying rape victims the urgency and care they need by starting to believe them.
As policy analyst Scheaffer Okore notes, 'Rape victims don’t have the privilege of being believed even when the case involves their own parents and that is the highest level of injustice.'
