Protect women against political violence

 The government should come up with measures to protect women from election-related violence and intimidation ahead of the elections later this year, writes Dr Joachim Osur.

. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The concerned organs of government such as the National Gender and Equality Commission, the Kenya National Human Commission on Rights and the police, among others, should come up with preventive programmes to reduce the incidence of sexual violence.
  • Women should also demand to know the measures being put in place to protect them from sexual violence during this period.

On New Year’s Eve the chairperson of chama called me to invite me for the chama’s New Year party. I declined without much thought. I already had plans for that day. However, two hours after the chairperson’s call, five women were knocking down my door. They had been sent to plead with me to attend the party.

As you may be aware chama is a women’s only club and I am the only male member. I am expected to attend all meetings when matters of sex are discussed to provide a professional sexologist’s opinion.

 “But I can’t!” I said in frustration, “the notice is too short and I already have plans.”

The chama members stepped out to consult then came back and announced that the chairperson had instructed that chama celebrations be held in my house. That is how I ended up hosting tens of women on New Year’s Eve.

The chairperson announced that there would be two hours of discussion till midnight then the celebrations would start. She did not indicate when the party would end. They brought with them all manner of food and drinks and a carnival mood engulfed the house.

“I am vying for a national parliamentary seat and two of my members are vying for county assembly membership,” the chairperson explained in starting off the two-hour discussion.

“So how am I supposed to help?” I asked, as always a bit wary of politics.

“Well, sexual harassment of female  aspirants is always an issue,” answered the chairperson amid angry murmurs.

For sure elections portend serious risks of violence for women. In Kenya, the worst such violence was recorded after the 2007 election. A number of women were violated using guns, bottles and sticks causing severe injuries to their private parts.

Then there were those who were gang-raped. Others were assaulted by political opponents. There are those who were raped and even killed because they belonged to certain tribes.

Other than physical injury which may have healed by now, the psychological trauma was unbearable and some women are yet to heal. There are those who got pregnant and delivered children, a reminder of those horrendous acts.

While we should not be prophets of doom and while we should pray for peaceful elections this year, there are telltale signs that there may be pockets of discontent and even violence. As yet it is not clear how the government intends to mitigate such occurrences.

The concerned organs of government such as the National Gender and Equality Commission, the Kenya National Human Commission on Rights and the police, among others, should come up with preventive programmes to reduce the incidence of sexual violence. Women should also demand to know the measures being put in place to protect them from sexual violence during this period.

However, if it happens the sexology clinic and other health facilities should be ready to treat any cases of sexual assault. Early treatment prevents unwanted pregnancy, HIV transmission and long-term psychological effects. Should you be a victim of these heinous acts, take the earliest opportunity to seek care at a health facility before you report the case to the police.

We also do hope that the courts are up to the task. It is unfortunate that sexual assault cases involving high-profile figures rarely go far. Further, communities have sometimes interfered with due process and had such cases settled out of court. Sexual assault cases are criminal offences which can only be resolved in court.

“It is now two minutes to midnight!” a member shouted from the back as the chairperson walked to the front to close the session.

“Members, let’s demand that the government puts in place preventive measures to protect women from sexual violence during this time!”

Members shouted in the affirmative as they broke into a victory song. The meeting then quickly transitioned into a party with food, drinks and dance. By the time chama members were leaving my house it was 6 am. As you can imagine, I had no energy left to do anything other than sleeping.