Gender-related crime rose during coronavirus lockdown with 1,716 women facing rape assault and murder, according to the National Crime Research Centre.
The review established that 71 per cent of the 2,416 cases reported between January and June affected women, translating to 10 females facing gender- related crimes each day.
The findings from a study ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July on the state of gender-based violence showed that the crimes that disproportionately affected women and children had shot up.
Gender-related crime rose during coronavirus lockdown with 1,716 women facing rape assault and murder, according to the National Crime Research Centre.
The review established that 71 per cent of the 2,416 cases reported between January and June affected women, translating to 10 females facing gender- related crimes each day.
The findings from a study ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July on the state of gender-based violence showed that the crimes that disproportionately affected women and children had shot up.
“The main perpetrators of gender-based violence are youthful males aged 18-33 years who are in a family and/or intimate partner relationship context,” reads the report.
The public health measures aimed at flattening the pandemic’s curve created extra opportunities of interaction between potential perpetrators and their victims.
Idleness created by the ‘stay at home’ orders, desperation due to loss of economic opportunities as a result of the pandemic and limited access to outside support as a result of movement restriction left victims exposed.
Closure of schools especially led to children being idle at home and is likely to have increased their exposure to sexual and physical violence and early teen pregnancy.
The report notes that the Kenya Health Information Systems recorded 8,264 cases of adolescent pregnancy of girls between 10-14 years and 153,848 girls of 15-19 years across the 47 counties.
Data from the Department of Children Services indicated that from January-June, 43,144 cases of child mistreatment had been recorded.
Similarly, from November 2019 to May 2020, Child Line Kenya had, through the toll free number 116, received 111 calls about violence and abuse against children and 875 calls from those seeking counselling and other information about children.
Another report released by State Department of Gender showed that from May 1,2019 to May 31, 2020 a total of 2,421 people (1,328 women, 533 girls, 341 men and 219 boys) had called, in distress, the toll free National Gender-based Violence helpline number 1195 seeking care and support.
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