Strengthening the Roots: Empowering SSV Kenya Network CSOs to Combat GBV

By: Wendy Akoth

Wangu Kanja Foundation is committed to transforming social norms that perpetuate violence, and enhancing service delivery to ensure that survivors receive the comprehensive care they deserve. We believe that accountability from all stakeholders, coupled with community mobilization and innovative strategies, can lead to dignified healing, resilience, and empowerment.

As the convener of the Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kenya Network and the Coalition against Sexual Violence, we unite voices and efforts from over 15 Women’s Rights Organizations, creating a powerful movement to tackle this alarming thorn. Our work focuses on breaking barriers that limit individuals’ agency, voice, and choice, enabling communities to protect and respond effectively to sexual violence.

Strengthening the Roots project is designed to provide mechanisms for combating gender violence and gender injustice, and is a visionary response, grounded in the belief that meaningful change can be catalysed through the collective strength of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). It addresses the multifaceted nature of gender-based violence (GBV) by prioritising capacity building within the network of CSOs.

The advocacy component of the project further amplifies its impact against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). By focusing on enhancing survivors’ participation in delivering interventions, the initiative challenges the prevailing culture of silence and victim-blaming through empowering survivors to exercise agency. Finally, the project seeks to strengthen the secretariat of the Survivors of the Sexual Violence in Kenya Network (SSV) as a strategic move to consolidate efforts against GBV. The secretariat is a catalyst for systemic change, to facilitate collaboration, policy advocacy, and the efficient allocation of resources.

Expected results

With the enhanced capacity of CSOs independently empowered to initiate and manage GBV prevention and response programs, one of the project result areas is empowered CSOs within the SSV Kenya network and increased collaboration to collectively address SGBV.

The project also seeks to improve service delivery for survivors of SGBV in all areas along the continuum of care to establish and enhance survivor-centered interventions, including counselling services, medical assistance, and legal support, resulting in an improved quality of life for survivors of sexual violence.

On policy advocacy, the project will implement reform programs resulting in improved handling of GBV cases by law enforcement agencies and health providers. This will be achieved through policy influence and efforts leading to policy amendments that address the root causes of GBV and ensure justice for survivors.

Capacity Enhancement Training on SGBV

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of SSV Kenya network member organizations, we conducted two SGBV capacity enhancement training workshops targeting 27 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The participants included 15 CBOs from Nairobi County and 12 from Elgeyo Marakwet, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Turkana, Vihiga, Busia, Kisumu, Migori, Tharaka Nithi, Kajiado, and Kiambu counties.

SSV Kenya Network Strategic Plan Development

The team of consultants conducted two separate sessions with 27 organizations, one for the Nairobi group and another for organizations outside Nairobi, focused on the importance of strategic planning. These sessions aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the value of a strategic plan for their respective organizations. Participants were guided through a capacity assessment tool and provided with worksheets to align their organizational needs with long-term goals.

Next Steps

“Building Trust: Survivor-Centered Interventions for Restoring Dignity and Justice” – Survivors Conference

The survivors’ conference will provide a platform for survivors to share their experiences, build solidarity, and advocate for change. The aim of the conference is to break down barriers that prevent survivors from speaking out and enhance their voice, choice, and agency. The conference will also promote survivor-centered interventions towards restoring dignity and access to justice. The conference will be hosted by Wangu Kanja Foundation and members of the SSV Kenya network from all the 47 counties in Kenya convened by the foundation.

The conference will bring together numerous development partners, government agencies, UN agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Women’s Rights Organizations, right holders, duty bearers and other relevant organizations. The conference will bring together over 350 survivors of sexual violence from around the country; it will be organized by survivors, for survivors, with a detailed program that will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, break away session, art exhibitions, entertainment and short film screening.

Strengthening the Roots: Empowering SSV Kenya Network CSOs to Combat GBV is a commitment to challenging and dismantling the structures that perpetuate GBV. It recognizes that true empowerment arises from collective action, education, and advocacy. As the CSOs within the SSV Kenya network strengthen their capacities, survivors find a voice, and a dedicated secretariat provides strategic direction, the project becomes a beacon of hope in the fight against GBV and gender injustice.