Administrators, Lobby groups call for early reporting of GBV cases for action

Even as the World continues to mark 16 Days of activism running up to 8th December, Lobby groups and local administrators have called for need to embrace reporting of gender based violence in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.

Speaking on Wednesday during a youth sensitization forum on GBV courtesy Women’s Empowerment Link, Afraha Assistant Chief Timothy Kitetu said as administrators they have continued to hold sensitization barazas on the same informing the public the need to report such cases for action.

While lauding the steps taken through prosecution of various GBV cases, the chief said the public should have trust in the judicial system since many cases have been successful and perpetrators sentenced.

“Our appeal to the public is to report whenever they encounter such. As administrators we are playing our part and we commend the Judiciary too for we have seen success in some of the cases and perpetrators sentenced” he said.

Sentiments echoed by Mr.Iregi Mwenja-who works with Psychiatric Disability Organization aimed at addressing the mental aspect that emanates from Gender Based Violence.

Mr.Mwenja says as much as there is focus on addressing the physical angle of GBV cases, the society should also think of addressing the mental health angle that comes with the cases.

“As a society when we talk about GBV cases we only think about the physical health and we forget about the mental health that comes with the same. We therefore need to think on addressing the mental health” said Mwenja.

Julia Wangari from Women’s Link Empowerment says more focus should be given to the young people in the whole fight against GBV.

She says they young people as per statistics are the most vulnerable in society and should therefore be sensitized more on how to go about issues of GBV.

“GBV is eating up ou8r generation and we know with the young people they are the best to be sensitized so that we can change the attitude in the society” she said.

PHOTO/Pristone Mambili:Youths during a sensitization Forum against GBV at a Nakuru Hotel.