Identification and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Kisumu County has been greatly influenced by Stigma & Discrimination associated with GBV in the community, Fear of community/household backlash for reporting GBV and impunity for perpetrators because of disjointed efforts in multi sectoral response to GBV. There is little progress in identifying cases in terms of post violence service uptake across the referral pathway that discourages survivors from reporting cases. In the period, (October 2022-September 2023) 1148 cases of GBV were identified in Kisumu County, 922 received counselling, 33 legal aid and 193 accessed biomedical services across the referral pathway.

Angola Art and Craft Centre Self Help Group’s innovation seeks to mitigate the gaps in the identification process and strengthen response strategies available to facilitate positive results in the fight against GBV. To strengthen identification of survivors in the community the following are to be put in place:
• Setting up Community Response Councils to address GBV cases. The Councils will comprise of area Chief, assistant chief, village admins/elders, community health promoters, Child protection Volunteers and community members.
• Training of community male champions in SASA! (Violence prevention EBI at community settings adopted from Raising Voices in Uganda) and LIVES
• Engagement of Community Paralegals – Through collaborations with DCS.
• Strengthen Cross referral for GBV survivors from GBVRC, Hospitals, Police among others.
• Response Council, Paralegals and SASA! Champions sensitized on child safeguarding.
• Legal Aid Clinics in collaboration with MoH, GBVRC, FIDA, Kenya School of Law, Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre (KWCWC).
• Participatory Education Theatre by youths & use of drawings for younger children.
To facilitate prompt response of identified cases escalated in the various levels of the Referral pathway. The following will be put in place;
• Engagement of Paralegals – They follow up with families to ensure they access services at facility, report the cases to police & follow the court proceedings until justice.
• Strengthening Court Users Committees within implementation areas through sensitizations and trainings on the Children’s Act, Basic criminal procedures, Sexual Offences Act and Preservation of Evidence – to help follow up on the cases.
• Inaugural meetings with DCS which will serve as multi sectoral engagement avenues – police, GBVRC, MoH, local administration, dept of gender & social services, dept of births registration, MOE.
• Safe space (in community resource centers) based Psychosocial Support groups in collaboration with MOH.

This innovation is community owned hence is sustainable. The concept around developing community response councils to spearhead community sensitizations and response to GBV will see it personalized and implemented with ease. The innovation is also unique as it factors in multi-sectoral engagement fostering collaborations in service provision across the referral pathway. This will curb the gap in under-reporting and completion of cases referred for various relevant services across the referral pathway.
The innovation assures the enhancement of community safety nets comprising of paralegals, community gatekeepers, child protection volunteers and other key players in the referral pathway. This assures the survivor and caregivers of an elaborate support system that cushions them from the eventualities that deter them from accessing post violence care services.
Engaging men in prevention efforts is critical for addressing root causes of GBV. Men can play a key role in challenging harmful gender norms and promoting equitable relationships.

Community sensitization will create awareness and improve reporting of GBV cases. Sensitization at the grass root level and involvement of community leaders will enhance reporting of the cases. The innovation will improve and strengthen the referral pathway, survivor support along the referral-pathway will ensure the survivors receive the appropriate services and justice. This will also enhance the reintegration of survivors back to the community. The innovation will also enhance unity by the different stakeholders in addressing gender-based violence, hence success rate will improve in provision of post violence care services. These will ensure the different stakeholders play their role and provide the necessary services.
The innovation can be easily replicated on a larger scale to other parts of the country as it will optimize the use of existing government structures and will only seek to strengthen what is already in place. This can be seen through the human effort required for its implementation. Capacity building the community gate keepers to improve on roles already covered under their job descriptions will ensure every stakeholder is able to keep the other in check in terms of service provision across the referral pathway and this will ensure there are no disjointed efforts.

In the event of successful funding approval, our implementation plan seeks to be conducted in elaborate activities aimed at achieving the desired objectives of mitigating GBV. Below is a breakdown of how the funds will be put into use;
Sensitizations and trainings (CUC and community council) in regards to GBV and child safeguarding. Reinforce a multi-sectoral collaboration in ensuring survivors get the necessary services and justice. This will be a one-day activity targeting 50 people with a cost of Ksh. 122,500. Resources needed will include conference facilities, printing of training material and transport allowance for participants.
Support legal aid Clinics-Engage stakeholders (MoH, GBVRC, FIDA, Kenya School of Law, Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre (KWCWC) to conduct sensitization and provide legal advice to the community members. We plan to conduct 5 legal aid clinics across the locality which will cost Ksh. 150,000 for facilitation of service providers and refreshments.
Conduct Male Sexual Partner Outreaches (SASA!, HTS outreaches). Train 6 male champions from the community to deliver SASA! outreaches and conduct referrals for services. The activity will account for Ksh. 126,000 of the total budget and will need posters for the outreach activities.
Support 8 psychosocial counselors to conduct PSS at the sites targets for legal aid clinics to help with giving survivors the much-needed counselling for addressing trauma and mental wellness. The counsellors will be supported to reach survivors at the grass root level which will have an estimated cost of Ksh. 51,500 will make use of MOH tools.

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