This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
On September 20, 2019, Kenya's government made a significant move to combat violence against women by establishing a national information system to capture data on sexual and gender-based violence.
The system, which targets various government sectors including the health department, the National Police service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, and Judiciary, aims to intensify efforts to end violence against women.
Speaking at the 12th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting, Youth and Gender Cabinet Secretary Prof. Margaret Kobia emphasized the government's commitment to preventing and responding to gender-based violence and sexual offences.
Prof. Kobia highlighted the development of robust policies and laws to address these issues, as well as the establishment of a special unit at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to handle female genital mutilation and other gender-based violence related cases.
Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland commended Kenya's efforts, noting that the country is part of a growing number of Commonwealth nations that have established national gender policies to advance the rights of women and girls.
