This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
On a visit to a health facility in Nairobi, I was met with a disturbing sight: a young girl, barely eight years old, lying unconscious on a hospital bed, her clothes and body covered in dry blood. She had been brutally assaulted by her uncle, and her rescue by neighbors was a testament to the resilience of those around her.
Her story is a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Kenya, and the need for safe houses and shelters to provide protection and healing to victims. As I followed up on her progress, I was heartened to see her transformation from a traumatized child to a bubbly and playful eight-year-old, eager to return to school and reconnect with her friends.
Fast-forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the story of Celestine, a 16-year-old girl who was rescued from a quarry in Nairobi, where she had been subjected to forced labor and abuse. Her rescue by a volunteer child officer marked a turning point in her journey towards healing and recovery.
These stories highlight the critical importance of shelters and safe houses in providing a lifeline for victims of SGBV. According to a recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 2,350 women and girls in Kenya need protection from SGBV and female genital mutilation/cut (FGM/C). It is imperative that both levels of government prioritize safe houses and shelters in their budgets and planning.
By standing with and supporting those who offer physical shelters, safe houses, and alternative accommodation to abused and violated women and girls, we can provide them with opportunities to heal and rebuild their lives. It is time for us to take the issue of shelters and safe houses more seriously and work towards creating a society that values the dignity and well-being of all its citizens.
