Civil Society Groups Urge Government to Include GBV Treatment in SHA as 16 Days of Activism Kick Off

Kenyan civil society organisations are calling on the Ministry of Health to integrate treatment and support services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) into the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework, as the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The appeal was made during a stakeholder Universal Periodic Review (UPR) capacity building forum in Machakos County, where advocates highlighted the financial barriers that prevent survivors from accessing urgent medical care and justice

According to Gladys Kiio, Executive Director of the African Gender and Media Initiative Trust, survivors are often forced to pay for Post Rape Care (PRC) forms in both public and private hospitals, while police continue to charge for P3 forms  essential documents needed for reporting assault and supporting legal proceedings

“In Kenya, accessing justice for GBV survivors is a costly and exhausting process,” Kiio said“

Charging for medical examinations and police documentation places an unfair burden on victims

It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens, not the other way around”

Irene Mbalilwa, a community liaison officer at Circles of Hope in Mukuru kwa Njenga, noted that many rape survivors have been turned away for failing to raise the Ksh 1,500 required for examinations and reporting

She added that the lengthy and emotionally draining process discourages many survivors particularly men  from reporting abuse

Advocates stressed that integrating GBV-related services into the SHA would ensure timely access to emergency contraception, HIV prevention and other essential care, preventing long-term physical and psychological harm

“The SHA policy should be flexible enough to respond to real human needs,” Kiio added. “We believe amendments are possible, and we remain hopeful that the government will act”

Lois Mwaniki, a Project Officer at the East African Centre for Human Rights, acknowledged that sexual and reproductive health rights remain a contentious topic in Kenya, hindered by stigma and inadequate public awareness

She said UPR processes and social movements are helping push for stronger accountability and more effective policy implementation

Robert Shaita Athewa, Stakeholders Coordinator at Access to Medicines Platform, emphasized the need to involve men in prevention and advocacy efforts, arguing that violence affects all genders

He also dispelled misconceptions around comprehensive sexuality education, noting that it aims to equip young people with information to navigate social and digital risks

This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign highlights the growing threat of online harassment, stalking and technology-facilitated abuse  forms of violence that often spill over into offline harm

As Kenya joins the global campaign, civil society organisations insist that meaningful progress will only be achieved when treatment, justice and protection for GBV survivors are accessible, affordable and fully supported under national health policy