Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kenya

Kenya’s Phoebe Okowa has been re-elected as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a nine-year term beginning 6 February 2027. Congratulations Phoebe Okowa for this achievement and for representing Kenya on the international stage. May this milestone inspire more women and girls to pursue leadership in law, diplomacy and public service. #RestoringDignity

The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) reveals that 34% of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, while 13% have experienced sexual violence. As we mark the #16DaysofActivism Against Gender-Based Violence, our Executive Director, Lady Dr. Wangu Kanja, OGW, LLD, will be hosted on @SautiSessions , alongside @TonyMwebia, Hon. @Milliegeza , Akinyi Odera and Janet Anyango. The panel will examine the realities of sexual violence in Kenya, the challenges facing those working to prevent and respond to it and the actions needed to protect women and girls. #RestoringDignity

On 3 November 2026, the @WanguKanjaF marked the My Data, Our Health (MDOH) Day of Action by bringing together volunteers who had participated in the Where’s My Data? initiative during Digital Health Week 2026. The volunteers had visited health facilities across Nairobi, Kiambu and Kajiado counties to request access to their own health records. The findings revealed that accessing personal health records was not always easy, with most volunteers reporting challenges, particularly in public health facilities. Everyone has the right to access their health information. Health facilities must address these barriers and ensure that individuals can access their records promptly, easily and with dignity. #MyDataOurHealth #DigitalHealthWeek

#DigitalHealthWeek2026 has officially begun. Digital Health Week 2026 (DHW 2026) is a global week of action bringing together bringing together governments, young people, civil society, health professionals, technology innovators and development partners to advance digital health for all. This Digital Health Week, let’s turn technology into better health outcomes and move closer to Universal Health Coverage. Sign up for and join events - all free: digitalhealthweek.co/events/ #RestoringDignity

Under the J4S Project supported by @IPPFAR, the @WanguKanjaF trained 25 duty bearers drawn from the criminal justice system in Thika, Kiambu County, on survivor-centred and trauma-informed approaches to responding to sexual violence. The training focused on strengthening how survivors are received, supported and guided through the justice system, ensuring their dignity, safety, confidentiality and rights are respected throughout the process. Survivors deserve to be heard, believed, treated with dignity and supported without judgement or retraumatisation. A survivor-centred justice system must put survivors’ needs, choices and experiences at the heart of every response. #RestoringDignity

How reliable is the forensic evidence that decides cases? And what will the proposed National Forensic Science Bill mean for justice in Kenya? The @LawSocietyofKe Gender Committee, in collaboration with the @WanguKanjaF, invites advocates and members of the public to a full-day hybrid workshop on strengthening Kenya’s forensic justice system. The sessions will be facilitated by Dr. Kizzie Shako, an Independent Forensic Medical Practitioner, and Dr. Myrna Kalsi, an Independent Forensic Specialist. Advocates working on gender-related criminal matters, SGBV cases and strategic public interest litigation are especially encouraged to attend. Link to the webinar: us02web.zoom.us/j/8507530401… #RestoringDignity

Who protects the public when those mandated to uphold the law are accused of breaking it? How can survivors trust the very systems they are expected to turn to for protection and justice? The @NPSOfficial_KE must demonstrate that no officer is above the law. We still have a report that is yet be be implemented. #RestoringDignity

Happy Customer Service Week!! During #CustomerServiceWeek, our team will be at Makadara Huduma Centre to listen, provide information and support survivors of sexual violence. Come and speak to us in a safe and confidential space or call our toll-free line 1519 to report cases of sexual violence and access support. You do not have to navigate this journey alone. Visit our desk at Makadara Huduma Centre and let us walk with you. #RestoringDignity

Join us for a Facebook Live conversation on Enhancing Prevention of Sexual Violence Through Behaviour and Norm Change, bringing together survivors and duty bearers from Machakos County. This is a continuation of our commitment to creating spaces where survivors are heard, duty bearers are held accountable and communities can be part of preventing sexual violence. The conversation is held under the J4S Project, supported by @IPPFAR #JusticeForSurvivors

What causes rape? Rape is caused by rapists. Not clothing. Not alcohol. Not where someone was. Not how they behaved. Not how they walked Not whether they knew the perpetrator. Rape happens when someone chooses to violate another person’s body and ignores their consent. The responsibility belongs to the person who commits the rape. Stop asking survivors what they did. Ask why the perpetrator chose to rape. #RestoringDignity

She stopped talking about what happened. Why didn’t you leave? Why didn’t you speak sooner? What were you doing there? With every question, the blame shifted from the person who caused the harm to the person who survived it. For someone already carrying deep pain, shame and isolation, victim blaming can make that pain even heavier. Ending victim blaming is suicide prevention. Remind survivors that what happened was not their fault and that they deserve support. You may not know what someone is carrying. Your words could help them hold on. If you or someone you know has been sexually violated, call our toll-free line 1519 to report the case and access support. #RestoringDignity

For some survivors, the emotional impact of sexual violence can be profound and may affect their mental wellbeing. This September, as we observe Suicide Prevention Month, we must have the conversation on the connection between sexual violence, trauma and mental wellbeing. Sexual violence Prevention is suicide prevention. #SuicidePreventionMonth

Heal the invisible wounds. A survivor may smile, go to work, care for their children and appear to be doing fine while carrying pain that no one else can see. The wounds must be healed for the next chapter. Coach Sam Maina at the SHE Sparkles 4th Annual Conference.

What does it take to prevent sexual violence before it happens? In Ngong, Kajiado County, we brought duty bearers and survivors together for two sessions focused on Enhancing Prevention of Sexual Violence Through Behaviour and Norm Change. Through the Justice for Survivors (J4S) Project, supported by @IPPFAR , we created space for honest conversations on the attitudes, behaviours and social norms that enable sexual violence. The conversations also explored what institutions can do differently to strengthen prevention, protection and response, and how stronger collaboration can help create safer communities. Listen to the conversations here. Duty-Bearers Engagement: web.facebook.com/share/v/14v… Survivors Engagement: web.facebook.com/share/v/1Bj… #JusticeForSurvivors

Our Executive Director and team will be attending the Next Level Woman 4th Annual Conference hosted by She Sparkles joining women and leaders who are creating spaces for growth, leadership, solidarity and change. Strong women are not defined by how much they carry but by how boldly they rise, how they support one another and how they use their voices to create change. When women rise, communities rise with them. #NextLevelWoman

The proposed Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025 could shape how Kenya prevents, responds to and addresses sexual violence. Laws that affect survivors, communities and justice systems should be shaped by the people they affect. What should the Bill change? What protections should be strengthened? What gaps must be addressed? Public participation gives citizens the opportunity to be heard and to influence laws that affect their lives. This is your chance to examine the proposed changes, share your views and raise the issues that matter to survivors and communities. #RestoringDignity

Behind closed doors, survivors continue to face sexual violence while harmful cultural practices, informal settlements and community silence can create space for perpetrators to evade accountability. Culture must never become a shield for sexual violence. Money must never buy silence. @NPSOfficial_KE and @DCI_Kenya we need this investigated. nation.africa/kenya/news/gen…