On 8 – 9 June 2017, KELIN convened a two day training which brought together 30 elders and five chiefs from the six sub counties of Kisumu (Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central, Seme, Nyando, Muhoroni and Nyakach). As part of KELIN’s implementation of the DREAMS Innovation Challenge, this training aimed to build the capacity of Kisumu elders and chiefs on how to document and refer sexual violation cases to ensure access to justice for adolescent girls and young women.
Key among the tools that were deliberated at the meeting was a step by step guide on the use of the police p3 form, the Ministry of Health Post Rape Care form and a sample documentation tool that will be used to record any sexual violations in the community. The meeting further provided an opportunity to demystify the medical and legal aspects of sexual violations as well as a platform to sensitize the elders on court processes relating to sexual violations.
While sharing her experience, Fatma Gitau, who is one of KELIN’s youth champions had this to say:
“We find it difficult approaching the elders as they tend to consider us not knowledgeable on pertinent issues; they instead ignore us and make decisions affecting us without consultations. Times have changed and we need to break the barriers by initiating conversations with the younger generation so as to create a safe space for reporting violations”
As a result of the training, an elders committee has now been established to enable elders assist adolescent girls and young women to access justice in case of sexual violations.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms: Twitter: @KELINkenya using the hashtag: #breakingthebarriers; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
For more information contact:
Onyango O. Ondeng
Program Manager, Women Land and Property Rights
Milimani area |Opposite Jalaram Academy
Off Nairobi Rd @ Kisumu Pentecostal Church
P.O Box 7708| 40100 Kisumu – Kenya
Tel: +254-57-2532664: Cell- [Office]: +254-708-342197
