Source: The Star
The Pwani Gender Based Violence Network has challenged Kenyans to make efforts to end the vice.

The network comprising of Coast Women in Development, Women Fighting Aids in Kenya and Prepared Society and International Centre for Reproductive Health has raised concern over high cases of gender violence. Speaking yesterday during a GBV training session with prisoners at Shimo-la-Tewa Borstal Institute, CWD executive director Betty Sharon said it is the responsibility of every citizen to end violence.

She said violence, especially against women, has undermined gender equality in the country. "We need to show the right values and act more justly with others in our lives. Let us all be activists in the fight against gender violece," said Sharon. She said guiding and counselling for perpetrators is one of the most powerful tools to end violence.

She called on victims to ensure they report cases to the police and relevant authorities to pave way for justice. "Some victims fail to report the cases for fear of intimidation or reputation. This has greatly undermined the fight against sexual offences and gender-based violence because it encourages the offenders," said Sharon. The network also called for amendment of the Sexual Offences Act to pave way for equal subjection of offenders where men's cases have been taken more serious than women's. Sexual offenders at the Shimo-la-Tewa prison facilities were taken through a prevention training programme in a bid to fight GBV in the society.

• Kenya