DSW Kenya pushes for adoption of gender policy in Kwale

Since July 2024, DSW Kenya has been actively pushed for adoption of the Kwale County Gender and Social Inclusion Policy, which shall secure women and girls’ rights to leadership, inclusion, and participation in public development processes.

In Kwale County, a section of the community is still deeply engrained in traditional, cultural, and religious practices that are in some cases more harmful than helpful, especially for women and girls.

The Kenya Health and Demographic Survey 2022, indicate that in the county, 43% of women and 35% of men believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances. The report also shows that two girls in 10 will get pregnant before turning 18 years old.

Sexual violence, such as defilement and rape, are often unreported due to lack of information on reporting mechanisms and fear of victimization, especially when perpetrators are breadwinners. For the few survivors who have reported cases, the road to justice has not been smooth, with weak reporting systems, lack of safe houses, and corruption as major challenges.

To achieve the adoption, DSW Kenya brought together the legal experts from the county attorney department and Law Society of Kenya, national and county government departments, to review the draft policy. The review highlighted the need for a database to improve employment conditions and install streetlights in high-risk areas to reduce insecurity and violations, including rape.

The policy also seeks to encourage spousal consent for land ownership and reallocation while formalising savings organizations and reorganising Access to Government Procurement Opportunities programmes to empower women and youth.

Due to the underrepresentation of girls and young women in decision-making in the county, the policy aims to encourage women’s involvement in leadership and decision-making roles and to call on political parties for gender equality.

Following the review meeting, the county attorney’s office committed to support the policy development process and fast-track the cabinet’s approval process