In the heart of Nairobi’s informal settlements, a remarkable transformation is taking place. Survivors of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Mukuru Kwa Njenga and Mukuru Kwa Reuben are turning their harrowing experiences into a fierce battle against the very vice that once threatened to silence them.
Our meeting with these resilient individuals on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, was nothing short of inspiring. During the meeting, we were joined by the Access to Justice and Security (A2JS) project donor, Amal Murgian of the Rabelais Trust. The survivors recounted their stories with a strength that can only come from overcoming the darkest of trials.
Violence in Mukuru has left many women and girls hurting- physically, mentally, and emotionally. *Jolene was 14 years old and in form one when she was defiled by a 23-year-old man. The teenager conceived in the process and after delivery, she discontinued school to nurse her baby who is now one year old.
“I was afraid of telling my mother what happened even when she inquired what was going on with me. But as time went by and my baby bump started showing, I had to disclose the identity of the man who had defiled me. When the mother confronted the man, he admitted his wrongdoing. He was arrested and the case is in progress at the Makadara Law Courts,” narrated *Jolene.
*Daphne, on the other hand, was gang-raped and she conceived from the ordeal. She carried the pregnancy to term and delivered a baby girl. The pain which was so much to bear was now being aggravated by seeing the baby who was conceived through rape.
“I moved from the area where the ordeal happened and settled in Mukuru and when the pain was too much, I decided to seek help. I am thankful to the counselors offered by the A2JS at the Africa Youth Trust. I healed, though after 10 group and more than 16 individual sessions, I have accepted my daughter and I love her unconditionally. In our various support groups, we got entrepreneurial skills training and thereafter we were granted seed capital. We have done a few businesses in my group and have had failures, but we learnt our lessons and are now doing well with our venture.I now work on the project assisting survivors of SGBV and I have registered a Community-Based Organization where together with a few others I encourage women and girls who have had similar experiences as mine and more. Sex is not a taboo topic in our forums like it has been in the past,” said Daphne.
Jolene and Daphne are just two from hundreds of women and girls who have survived sexual and gender-based violence in Mukuru.
Amal was impressed with the women and girls for feeling elevated to even recount their ordeals.
She said:
“I am overwhelmed with your resilience, and I hope you continue staying strong and stand up for others.”
The survivors implored Rabelais Trust to continue investing in the project so that others too can learn and benefit from the support.
The Access to Justice and Security (A2JS) project, generously funded by Rabelais Trust and implemented in Mukuru and Nyalenda, Kisumu County, has been a beacon of hope. Providing survivors with medical attention, counseling, and access to legal justice, this initiative has been vital in their path to recovery. While some have begun to heal, others continue to face their journey head-on, with ongoing cases at the Makadara Law Courts standing as a testament to their courage.
However, the fight is far from over. SGBV continues to cast a long shadow over the lives of women and girls in Mukuru, leaving deep physical, mental, and emotional scars. We must take a stand. Together, we can amplify the voices of these brave survivors and bring an end to SGBV. We invite you to join us in supporting the resources and efforts required to wipe out this scourge.
Author: Mary Consolata Makokha, Communications Officer ActionAid Kenya. Edited by Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.