Women leaders call for community action to curb gender-based violence

Women leaders are calling for a shift from policy discussions to community-led action in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). They warn that despite strengthened government interventions, abuse continues to thrive behind closed doors.

Speaking during the Women Achievers Conference and Awards, President William Ruto’s Advisor on Women’s Rights, Harriet Chiggai, stated that the government alone cannot resolve the escalating crisis. She argued that families, communities, religious institutions, and parents must confront the root causes of violence before cases lead to tragedy.

“Government is not the problem because government comes at the tail end to solve problems using policies, laws, and the police. The arm of government cannot always solve societal problems. We have to go back to the community and ask ourselves, where did the rain start beating us?” Chiggai said.