MPs Call for Increased Funding for GBV Rescue Centres After Mombasa Inspection

Members of Parliament have renewed calls for enhanced funding of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) rescue centres across the country following an oversight visit to a rescue facility in Mombasa.

The lawmakers expressed concern over the growing number of survivors seeking assistance while many centres continue to operate under financial and infrastructural constraints. They noted that limited resources have made it difficult for facilities to provide comprehensive services, including shelter, counseling, medical care, legal support, and rehabilitation.

During the inspection, the MPs commended the efforts of staff working at the rescue centre but emphasized that more government investment is needed to strengthen the country’s response to gender-based violence. They argued that adequate funding would enable centres to expand their capacity and improve the quality of care offered to survivors.

The legislators also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between national and county governments, development partners, and civil society organizations to ensure vulnerable individuals have access to safe and supportive environments.

According to the lawmakers, GBV remains a significant social challenge that continues to affect women, children, and other vulnerable groups. They stressed that rescue centres play a critical role in protecting victims and helping them rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences.

The visit comes amid heightened national attention on gender-based violence and increasing calls for more effective prevention and response mechanisms. MPs pledged to push for additional budgetary allocations and policy interventions aimed at strengthening survivor protection services across the country.

They further urged members of the public to report cases of abuse and support efforts aimed at eliminating gender-based violence, saying that safeguarding victims requires a collective approach involving government institutions, communities, and families.

The lawmakers reiterated their commitment to ensuring that rescue centres receive the resources necessary to effectively serve survivors and contribute to the broader fight against gender-based violence in Kenya.