Globally, nearly one in three women experience violence, with crises further exacerbating the numbers. In Kenya, gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most severe human rights violations, demanding urgent intervention and prevention.
Anne* (not her real name), a 48-year-old mother of three from Kasigau in Taita Taveta County, endured 28 years in an abusive marriage before summoning the courage to break free.
“I was used to beatings and feared that one day he would kill me,” she recalls.
Initially, Anne* felt helpless, unable to report or seek assistance from authorities due to fear of retaliation and lack of trust in the system. Her husband not only physically abused her but also controlled and squandered her earnings from dressmaking. He eventually sold her three sewing machines, leaving her without a source of income. When he finally abandoned her and their children, he contributed nothing to their education or basic needs.
The turning point came one fateful night when her husband, intoxicated, threw out all their belongings and ordered them out of the house. Left with nowhere to turn, Anne sought help from a local women’s rights network representative, who invited her to a psychosocial support meeting. There, she found solace in the stories of other survivors, some even more harrowing than her own.
Encouraged by the support group, Anne* reported her case to the area chief, determined to secure her matrimonial property, which her husband intended to sell without her consent. With the intervention of local land officials, a caveat was placed on the property, preventing its sale. She is now in the process of registering the land under her children’s names, ensuring their future security.
Anne* opted out of the marriage for the sake of her life and that of her children but chose to fight for her rights. With start-up capital from a survivor support program, she revived her dressmaking business. Today, her business is thriving, her children attend school, and they no longer go hungry. Through economic empowerment initiatives, Anne has not only rebuilt her life but also reclaimed her dignity and independence.
Programs that enhance women’s economic empowerment, such as the Women’s Rights Program (WRP) implemented by ActionAid Kenya and its local partners, supported by Irish Aid through ActionAid Ireland, are instrumental in reducing GBV. By increasing women’s financial independence and decision-making power, such initiatives enable survivors to leave abusive relationships. Moreover, safe spaces where women meet and share experiences play a crucial role in transforming attitudes, behaviors, and societal norms, fostering a future free from gender-based violence.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “Accelerate Action for ALL Women and Girls’ Rights: Equality. Empowerment.” Anne’s* story is a powerful reminder that true equality requires urgent and sustained action. No woman or girl should have to endure violence or economic oppression. Now is the time to accelerate action, invest in women’s empowerment, strengthen prevention efforts, and ensure survivors access justice.
Authors: Pauline Atieno, Local Rights Program (LRP) Coordinator, ActionAid Kenya. Edited by Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.