Social Norms, Gender Inequity And Sexual Gender Based Violence (Sgbv)
CYAN Kenya
Gender-based violence (GBV)
Gender-based violence is one of the most persistent violations of human rights across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, about one third of women worldwide have experienced violence. Among marginalized populations, a high prevalence of violence is linked with HIV, particularly among transgender women.
In Kenya, 32% of young women aged 18–24 and 18% of their male counterparts reported experiencing sexual violence before the age of 18. Gender-based violence reduces the bargaining power to negotiate safe sex, stay on treatment, or remain in school.
Adolescents and young people in Homa Bay County face different forms of sexual violence, including rape, sexual harassment, forced marriage, defilement, and other forms of sexual exploitation. CYAN Kenya believes that community-level action, combined with national and global advocacy and structural change, can drive change and accelerate progress in combating gender-based violence. The organization implements the following activities to help address gender-based violence in the community:
Key activities
-
Community advocacy.
-
Linkage with the local administration.
-
Refer survivors of sexual violation to the hospital for medication.
CYAN Kenya
Strategies to enhance access to ASRH services
The organization also breaks the local social norms of limiting access to sexual and reproductive services in the community, which hinders adolescents. To achieve this change, the organization uses the strategies below to enhance and support access:
Behaviour change communication
This transforms the community from their initial beliefs and social rules that derail the roadmap towards access to services such as safe abortion, contraception, and other sexual and reproductive health services and rights for adolescents and young people.
Male involvement & participation
This ensures all-inclusiveness in ASRH, particularly in the uptake of modern contraceptives.
