Sexual and other forms of violence During the COVID-19 pandemic emergency in Kenya: Patterns of Violence and Impacts on Women and Girls

Abstract

This research report explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patterns of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Kenya. The research entailed conducting interviews across the 47 counties of Kenya, including in informal settlements, to document sexual violence and other violations of adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research findings suggest three main impacts of the COVID-19 emergency on SGBV: 1. Emergency measures are exacerbating the vulnerability of children and women; The socio-economic impact of the crisis has increased tensions within households, with reports of physical violence and increased homelessness for women; and 3. Vulnerability to violence has been amplified across the population as a whole according to reports by human rights actors, with there being numerous incidents of death and injuries caused by the police while enforcing the COVID-19 emergency measures put into place. Policy recommendations are offered.

Children’s Vulnerability to Sexual Violence during COVID-19 in Kenya: Recommendations for the Future

“…Ongoing evidence collection by the Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kenya Network suggests that COVID-19 has changed patterns of sexual violence against children (7,15). First, child sexual violence victims are now age 12 on average (7), compared to 16 previously (13).…”

“…Second, school closures and reduced parental monitoring have coincided with an increase in offenses perpetrated by individuals known to the survivor. Offenses are more often being perpetrated by neighbors during the pandemic compared to before (42 vs. 16%) (7,13). There are reported cases wherein neighbors have gained access to children through the ruse of providing educational resources, such as laptops and internet access, during school closures (7,15).…”

“…Offenses are more often being perpetrated by neighbors during the pandemic compared to before (42 vs. 16%) (7,13). There are reported cases wherein neighbors have gained access to children through the ruse of providing educational resources, such as laptops and internet access, during school closures (7,15). Worryingly, it is increasingly being recommended that neighbors should be utilized during COVID-19 to help identify and protect victims, and to aid in reporting incidences [e.g., (1,17)].…”

“…In this context the protective space was used for social support, education on sexual and reproductive health, and vocational training to increase the economic potential of the young girls (21). Programs such as these could be implemented in LMICs during COVID-19 to reduce the sexual exploitation of young girls and prevent school dropouts due to teenage pregnancies [( 21); see (7) for further recommendations].…”

Children's Vulnerability to Sexual Violence During COVID-19 in Kenya: Recommendations for the Future

“…This is because there is political good will to research and respond to SGBV in Kenya following President Kenyatta's call to action in the wake of increasing SGBV in the country ( 6 ). There is also mounting empirical evidence about new patterns of violence against children, owing to the data collection infrastructure established by the Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kenya Network ( 7 ). In Kenya, a reported 29% of women are married before the age of 18 ( 8 ).…”