Makueni County Sexual and Gender Based Violence Policy 2020

Abstract

Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is a major human right violation that largely affects women and girls across the globe and in Kenya too where SGBV is equally widespread across the counties. In the context of Makueni County, SGBV occurrences are quite common with variations across different forms and geographic locations. The concept of “SGBV” is often misunderstood and generally taken to mean “women only issue’’ and that means that men and boys are often left out of the SGBV dialogue and perceived as opponents rather than partners in SGBV prevention. It is evident that men and women, boys and girls are all affected by SGBV and all have an important role to play in changing social attitudes and preventing SGBV. This misunderstanding often leads to misinformation, misinterpretation and a hindrance to the fight against the vice. SGBV in its various manifestations negatively affects individuals, their families and the entire community. At the individual level, SGBV results in pain and psychological trauma. At the societal level, SGBV often results into breakdown of the family unit. Economically, SGBV results in an economic burden on Governments in terms of increased spending on health care, social services, the civil and criminal justice system, absenteeism from work, and lost productivity and output. SGBV creates an unequal political landscape in which all those affected are denied the opportunity to participate in decision making for development.