Nairobi, Kenya– The Wangu Kanja Foundation hosted a Community dialogue forum with several Community Organisations in Kenya on Saturday, November 25, 2023. The aim was to discuss survivors’ challenges in their pursuit of justice. This was done with a particular focus on improving access to mental health services for survivors of sexual violence.
The Wangu Kanja Foundation partnered with PHR Kenya, AICS Nairobi, iicnairobi and members of the Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kenya in a community dialogue forum.
The Organisations had an opportunity to engage with the community members. They emphasized the importance of preventing and responding to sexual violence.
They believed that Investing in community forums and empowering survivors and grassroots initiatives would play a significant role in reshaping attitudes and cultivating a safer environment.
The Wangu Kanja Community expressed their gratitude and thanked all their survivors for their bold move in sharing how best to address issues affecting them. The Organisation also hugely thanked its partners, both state and non-state, for their commitment to ending sexual violence.
Reportedly, the Theme of the dialogue forum was “Invest to prevent Violence against women and girls in every country and culture.” The Forum was held at the Dandora Phase 3 in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8 am to 1 pm.
Several county members joined the Dialogue session. They had an opportunity to engage in one-to-one conversation on empowering the nation’s women and girls to fight against Sexual violence.
Reportedly, the Wangu Kanja Foundation (WKF) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2005. The Organisation worked to address social challenges and hindrances against women.
Following this forum, the Wangu Kanja Foundation kicked off a 16-day activism in Kiambu County. The Event was hosted by Itanya Youth Network. The residents at the event engaged in a candid conversation on social construction, different types of SGBV and how they can address them in case they arise.
Resident also pinpointed some of the challenges they face when addressing sexual violence cases in their community.
Some of the challenges highlighted include cases not moving after being reported, kangaroo courts being on the rise, and residents being unaware of access to justice referral pathways, among others.