Source: Standard Digital
Kenya is among four countries in Africa targeted for an international campaign to stop rape and gender violence during conflicts.

The campaign that calls for urgent and bold political leadership to prevent rape kicks off today. It is the brainchild of 25 organisations led by women peace laureates.

The campaign will be launched in four countries namely Kenya, Burma, Colombia and Democratic Republic of Congo, where immediate attention is needed.

"Kenya is among countries where rape and gender violence was used against women and children during the 2007/2008 post-election violence," said Yee Htun, co-ordinator of the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict Nobel Women Initiative.

She stressed the need for governments to prevent and protect women against gender-based violence, especially during violence by prosecuting perpetrators.

"The issue of rape and gender violence in Kenya will affect women, children and men especially as we prepare for the upcoming General Election," she said yesterday in Nairobi.

She noted that atrocities committed during post-election violence where at least 1,500 women were raped was a wake-up call for government and international community to act urgently to prevent recurrence.

"There are thousands of survivors throughout the country who have never received medical, psychological assistance or reparations for crimes that were afflicted against them as the culture of impunity persists to this day and perpetrators have never been held accountable," Htun added.

The weeklong campaign will be launched today at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park by civil society and survivors. The campaign was informed by continued failure by governments to stop rape during conflict.

Protect women

"How many of us need to be raped before the world says no? We are launching the campaign to finally bring an end to this senseless violence that impacts generations of people around the globe," said Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams in a statement.

Nominated MP Rachel Shebesh regretted that law enforcement officers are mostly the perpetrators of rape yet they are the ones supposed to protect women.

"In conflict, rape is used as a weapon against women employed by insurgent groups, armed gangs as well as government troops," she said.

The organisers noted about 400,000 women were raped between 2006 and 2007 in Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Kenya