Gender-based violence: best practices in prevention and rehabilitation of victims in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to document best practices among gender-based violence (GBV) service providers for victims and survivors in Nairobi. This was in the light of escalating cases of GBV despite the existence of a substantial number of service providers. The main objective of the study was to document good practices and make concrete recommendations that could help design specific programmes to enhance service delivery to victims and survivors of GBV. Specifically, the research wanted to establish the initiatives involved in the prevention of GBV in Nairobi; to identify which of the practices used by these initiatives worked and which ones did not; and to suggest programmes that could be put in place to strengthen the fight against GBV in Kenya in general. The researcher used a structured questionnaire as the mam instrument of data collection. The collected data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) content analysis software. The findings are presented in tables of frequencies and percentages as well as graphs. The study found that there is inadequate knowledge of the realities of GBV on the ground. This study also revealed that service delivery programmes are underfunded, and that the referral system for victims and survivors, and coordination among GBV service providers are weak. There was also laxity in law enforcement and lack of designed health responses to meet the needs of GBV victims and survivors. The study, therefore, recommends that: • Efforts be made at better coordination among GBV service providers. • Statistics and data collection be improved and disaggregated by gender. • Standardized processes and protocols for referral of victims be established. • Livelihood support be integrated into gender-based violence services. • Provision is made for ongoing training for and support to law enforcers. • Formal justice system response be improved.