The fight against Gender-Based Violence and Violent Extremism in Coastal Counties has gotten a boost.
This is after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched two programs to combat GBV and Violent Extremism in the Coast region.
The ‘Elevate Voice Yake’ and ‘Sauti Yako Amani Yako’ programs were launched on Tuesday in Mombasa by the USAID Kenya Mission Director David Gosney.
Speaking during the launch, Gosney said the two programs with an estimated funding of one billion shillings will run for three years.
“We are focused on partnering with county governments, local civil society, youth leaders, and others to address issues of all types of violence that the communities might be subjected to. One of these critical components of that is Gender-Based Violence,” said the USAID Kenya Mission Director.
According to Gosney, the two programs are part of a much bigger effort by USAID and other partners to address the systemic issues of GBV throughout the country.
“There are dynamics that go into GBV that require you to work closely with the communities so that they feel that they are in the lead and that they are articulating and addressing the challenges in ways that reflect the culture of the community,” he said.
The programs will focus on the root causes of violence in the community spaces. It will also seek to address these issues through economic empowerment, training, and mentorship. They will also be looking at providing safe spaces for victims of GBV.
“Research shows that one in every three women in Kenya has been subjected to some form of violence in the last three years, and one in every five men as well. So we are looking at how we can reduce these incidences and support the victims as well,” said the USAID Kenya Mission Director.
Also at the launch were Mombasa Deputy Governor Francis Thoya, his Kilifi counterpart Flora Mbetsa Chibule, and Mombasa Women Representative Zamzam Mohammed.
“We are here today to try and look broadly on how do we address issues around radicalization, how do we address issues around violent extremism, and we want to commit as counties that we are going to prioritize more resources towards helping our youth because we believe they have a voice,” said Mombasa DG Francis Thoya.
His sentiments were echoed by Kilifi DG Flora Chibule who said Kilifi County will be allocating more resources towards youth programs.
“We are talking about job creation, giving incentives, training, and improving our vocational training facilities,” said DG Chibule.
The two programs will be implemented by Lifeskills Promoters (LISP), the Center for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), and the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA)
“Let us walk together, let us work together, let us talk more so that people can be moved from abuse and live a life of dignity in our communities,” said Angelina Sikanda, the Chief of Party for Elevate Voice Yake program.
