This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
On November 13, 2019, the Cabinet Secretary of Public Service, Youth, and Gender, Prof. Margaret Kobia, addressed attendees at the ICPD25 conference at KICC in Nairobi, highlighting Kenya's progress in combating Gender-Based Violence.
Prof. Kobia pointed out that Kenya has achieved several legal milestones since the inception of the ICPD in Cairo, Egypt in 1994, including the Sexual Offenses Act of 2006, the Counter-Trafficking Act of 2011, the Child Act of 2001, the Prevention of Violence Act of 2015, and the Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011.
She emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the root causes of gender inequality through the strengthening of the legal framework, formulation of relevant policies, and implementation of effective programs.
During the session on Gender-Based Violence, leaders from around the world, including Associate Minister for Social Development Poto Williams of New Zealand, President and CEO of Population Services International Amb. Karl Hofmann, and Founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa Toyin Saraki, shared their insights and experiences in combating the vice.
Amb. Hofmann called on World Marathon champions Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei to join forces in ending Gender-Based Violence, saying, 'We are in Kenya, the land of long-distance runners. On the fight against gender-based violence — we must persevere. We choose to persevere. And we will persevere.'
Other panelists emphasized the importance of integrating what is taught in school with community values, empowering women with disabilities, making leaders accountable, and working to reduce Female Genital Mutilation and early marriages.
Prof. Kobia reiterated the government's commitment to achieving zero Gender-Based Violence by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals, through strategic partnerships with the United Nations, development partners, civil societies, research institutions, academia, and the private sector.
