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Sexual Violence in Kenya

March 8, 2022 By Lisa

End Sexual violence- Motorcycle taxi riders against violence

Boda Boda (Motorcycle Taxis) operators can play a critical role in addressing social, cultural, and gender norms that propagate harmful practices such as sexual violence, child and forced marriages, and FGM. In addition, they are in a unique position to provide support to victims who have been affected by these practices through their day-to-day interactions with clients and knowledge of the community terrains.

Rape culture is a culture in which sexual violence is treated as the norm and victims are blamed for their own assaults.

Boda Boda riders

“Sixteen Boda Boda riders have been arrested and five motorcycles impounded over the sexual assault of a female motorist along Nairobi’s Wangari Maathai road last Friday 4th, Kenyan police say”. This was the latest news of sexual assaults committed by Boda Boda riders in Kenya.

This news and many other reports of riders who rape clients made Mr. John, the chairman of Mwihoko Boda Boda rider, come to wounded Healers in Kenya requesting education on sexual violence for him and his association of more than 200 riders. He said that he would like his association to join the fight to break the culture and social norms that lead to sexual violence and know what he can do if any of his riders commit the crime.

Boda-Boda (motorcycle taxi) hosts millions of young people in Kenya. However, with very few women having the courage to venture into the industry, it remains a male-dominated sector.

Led by Program manager Josephine, Wounded Healers educated 60 riders about sexual violence, cultures, and social norms that fuel it and what they can do in case they come across a victim. Together with the upcoming Member of County Assembly and the Mwihoko riders association, Wounded Healers will support girls to access sexual and reproductive services, advocating against all forms of sexual violence and other harmful practices such as rape culture at the community level. In addition, wounded Healers will provide free mental health support to all riders whenever they need it to take their business forward.

Filed Under: Progress Reports Tagged With: #beautyinbrokenness, #endsexualviolence, Sexual Violence in Kenya, Survivors of Rape

February 18, 2022 By Lisa

I Will Rise Again – Tiana Story

“The sex work business was never easy because men and police harassed me.”

“ I grew up in the streets of Nairobi after we could not afford rent in our Mathare slum house. My father left us when I was young. My mother was hooked on drugs for us and my brother or me. She introduced me to drugs at a young age and forced me to go and beg in the streets. I was too young to understand the risks of using drugs.
My mother had multiple men who slept with her for food, drugs, and money. She treated me as her bait to get anything she wanted when she was sick or drunk. So I was introduced to some of her men to earn money in exchange for sex. 
As the days went by, I was addicted to drugs like my mother. Then, one day I was gang-raped by street boys while drunk. The feeling of shame overwhelmed me, but I could not do anything but be silent because of their insults.
When I reached eleven years old, my mother became insane and started acting like a mad person. My brother was hit by a car in the city and died. The street families began insulting my mother, and I was always embarrassed whenever I saw her. I decided to go and create a new Life. I met my street friend Stellar who introduced me to her job. She was a sex worker and a pickpocketer.
She introduced me to her clients, and we shared the amount I was paid. Stellar taught me about using contraceptives not getting pregnant when I started my periods. I started earning money to cater to my basic needs. 
The sex work business was never easy because men and police harassed me. One day while at work, I met a very social client. I loved the way we interacted and exchanged contacts.
He insisted that I meet him at a private place the next day, and I accepted. When he came to our meeting point, I  started feeling uncomfortable, but he assured me everything was alright. A few minutes later, two huge men appeared and blindfolded me. They threatened me not to scream or else they will kill me. I was afraid of them, so I did as they told me.
I was taken into a room and locked inside. They told me that I would be recorded having sex with different men, and if I resisted, they would kill me. I was locked inside the room for two months, and other men could come every day. They did not even check if I had any infections. After a few weeks, I started feeling different. Finally, they noticed and confirmed that I was pregnant. One of them proposed that I aborted the baby and brought me some pills. A few hours after taking them, I started bleeding heavily, and they started arguing.
I was taken to the hospital and left there. After a lot of confusion, a doctor approached me, and I told him everything. I was treated and admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, my baby died, and I was infected with HIV. I also had infections of STDs.
I feel like I am a dead person. My whole life, I have been living like a forbidden person. I am under medication, and investigations are still going on. At night I usually have nightmares and stress. I am not sure if I will live to see another day every time I close my eyes.”

Filed Under: Survivor Stories Tagged With: #beautyinbrokenness, #endsexualviolence, Copying With Sexual Violence In Kenyan Slums, Sexual Violence in Kenya

October 12, 2021 By Lisa

International Day of Girl in Kasarani

Girls can be Leaders. Girls can be engineers. Girls can start and own businesses. Girls can be policymakers and change the message around them from being victims and vulnerable to powerful agents of change; it is essential to support their work and leadership.

This year’s International Day of The Girl, themed  “Digital generation. Our generation,” acknowledges the growing digital world and how a digital gap can also widen the gender gap. At, Wounded Healers, the fight against Sexual Violence never ends. Every other day is just an opportunity to continue advocating for girls’ equal rights, ending Violence and prejudice against them. In addition, there is the need to embrace the professional growth of girls and drop the stereotypical belief that women only belong in the kitchen and not in cooperate world.

Following this year’s theme, “Digital generation. Our generation,” focuses on bridging the digital divide. According to the United Nations, even in the post-COVID-19 world that saw businesses, education, and even parts of healthcare services moving online, “2.2 billion people below the age of 25 still do not have Internet access at home.” The report further noted that girls are more likely to be cut off, pointing to a gender divide within the digital range. It was also stated that girls are less likely than boys to “use and own devices.

More than 100 marchers, including girls, the Nairobi county government, Law enforces, Parents, and teachers marched holding placards and banners that read ” Girls can be leaders, Educate Girls, Stop Raping us” as they demanded equal opportunities in the digital generation.

“Endless possibility for girls means ending sexual violence now.” Wounded Healers Executive Director, Eunice Nuna. “let’s stop the clock on violence and ensure all girls can realize their potential. Equal Education opportunities are a must.”

“We must empower these girls and share all these stories,” she said. “It is also unfortunate that we know girls who were abused and denied opportunities, and they have to put their pain out on display for us to be taken seriously. So what we’re trying to do on this girl’s day is make sure we all lift our voices in solidarity with each other to make sure the people in power hear our message.”

Wounded Healers will continue providing a safe space for girls and support services that make healing possible, education, empowerment, and the opportunity to truly break the cycle of sexual violence. We, Will, also partner with other organizations to provide medical and vocational services to provide healing for the future and a solid foundation to build a healthy, safe, and fulfilling life for themselves.

Filed Under: Progress Reports Tagged With: #endsexualviolence, Sexual Violence in Kenya, Survivors of Rape

February 3, 2021 By Penelope P

I AM A FUTURE JOURNALIST- FAITH STORY

Rarely do sexual violence victims, and survivors speak up on turning a new leaf of life and choosing to focus on a positive outlook of the journey of life where survival is for the fittest.

The twenty-one-year-old mother of one was sexually assaulted at the tender age of seventeen years, and the act left her pregnant. She was yet to clear her high school education. Still, against all odds, the young girl proved her resilience by putting on solid armor and completing her high school while carrying her pregnancy to giving birth just a month to the national examination for secondary schools in Kenya.

Faith resides in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, one of the biggest slums in Kenya, With very minimal job opportunities in Kenya, Faith, like many other young women, struggle to secure even menial employment to provide for her sons three meals a day and help her ailing mother with medical bills.

She also looks forward to pursuing higher education. Her dream is to be a journalist, as she seems to inspire the world with her story.

“I hope that one day the struggles will come to an end. I’ll find a job that will enable my family to have a good life; I have always dreamed of becoming a journalist and am passionate about it. I want my kid to have a good life and not the life I have lived.”

Faith is a true definition of perseverance and Strength, her passion to becoming an empowered woman so he can giver her son a better tomorrow speak loud of her strength and hope. She will soon be starting her own small business to sell cakes at roadside near her home with strong believe that she will join University with some of her savings

Filed Under: Survivor Stories Tagged With: Copying With Sexual Violence In Kenyan Slums, Sexual Violence in Kenya, Survivors of Rape

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