Gender-Based Violence(GBV)
GBV remains one of the most severe forms of gender inequality and discrimination in Kenya. It is one of the most pervasive human rights violations of modern time affecting women and girls. Over 200 femicide cases have been reported between the period of January to November 2019, these statistics are deeply alarming and a point of grave concern to systemic latitude and impunity accorded to perpetrators, societal stigma towards survivors, and their subsequent silence.
Gender Based violence is directly linked with the unequal distribution of power between women and men which explains the direct effect on families, communities, and societies as a whole. Deep-rooted, and complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power, and control continue to create a social environment in which GBV is perva- sive and normalized. Unfortunately, data on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) victims is difficult to confirm.
Moving forward, the social and cultural barriers that have hindered women, and girls from reporting SGBV related violations must be addressed. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
Girls and women from rural areas, living in poor households, with less education or who identify as Muslim are at greater risk. The practice is highly concentrated in the North Eastern region and in certain ethnic groups.
Other Modern-Day Challenges faced by women working in the formal sector
- Doubly impacted – working environment/conditions in the mine
- Low salary/wages – with little or no benefits – usually on contract work.
- Long working hours underground – women have to work harder to prove themselves as capable.
- Limited opportunities for better positions/jobs (woman who had to turn herself into a man to get a job)
- Lowest number of women in high positions and in company boards compared to any other industry globally.
- Bears the brunt of discriminatory policies – gender policies of companies are overlooked.
- Society’s attitudes about the kind of positions that women can occupy – secretaries, cleaners etc
“There are a lot of barriers caused by my gender; as a woman, if you’re doing well in a male-dominated industry they think you’re having an affair with one of the senior managers. Every time I was promoted, they would say, ‘how come you promoted her? Is she having a relationship with you?’”Interview with Wilhemina Manaso, Mine Manager, BHP Billiton in South Africa.
- Lack of mentorship and professional guidance
- Workplace support,
- Hygiene facilities, unsafe working conditions underground
- Insufficient career and development guidance.
- Women’s concerns about health and safety risks are not adequately addressed
- Many women in the health industry feel that some opportunities are unjustifiably given to men and they are denied on the same based on their gender.
- Bias against women remains strong in the health industry. “In one mining instance in South Africa , a drilling operator was fired and told that she was too aggressive for the job,”
- Girls and women from rural areas, living in poor households, with less education or who identify as Muslim are at greater risk. The practice is highly concentrated in the North Eastern region and in certain ethnic groups
- Gender-Based violence remains one of the most severe forms of gender inequality and discrimination in Kenya. It is one of the most per-vasive human rights violations of modern time affecting women and girls. Over 200 femicide cases have been reported between the period of January to November 2021,these statistics are deeply alarming and a point of grave concern.to systemic latitude and impunity ac- corded to perpetrators, societal stigma towards survivors, and their subsequent silence.
- Gender Based violence is directly linked with the unequal distribution of power between women and men which explains the direct effect on families, communities, and societies as a whole. Deep-rooted, and complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power, and control continue to create a social environment in which GBV is perva- sive and normalized. Unfortunately, data on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) victims is difficult to confirm due to Moving forward, the social and cultural barriers that have hindered women, and girls from reporting SGBV related violations must be addressed. Ending Vio- lence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
- Vulnerable and ignorant of their rights which are constantly violated
- Harassment by authorities – body searches often carried out men at workplace sites and often in public view – such abuses exacerbate the vulnerabilities of women
- Women’s labour is undervalued in the mining ministry work sites compacted to men at the same sites. Women are sometimes confined to certain tasks e.g. crushers - in the chain of duties at extraction sites – as they are deemed weak – affects the income as the distribution chain unfolds – duties that do not fetch much
- Very few women own their own pits or extraction sites – often they rent from the local mafia.
- Women’s lack of access to capital undermines their opportunities to fully participate and benefit. Very few possess own equipment – rely of hiring equipment – paying high fees for the equipment rental – eating into potential income.
