Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

What Is Gender-Based Violence?

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) means any harmful act committed against a person because of their  gender. It includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic harm. GBV can happen  in the home, workplace, school, community or public spaces. It can be perpetrated by intimate  partners, family members, strangers, or authority figures. GBV is rooted in unequal power relations  and social norms that tolerate violence against people based on gender. (United Nations High  Commissioner for Refugees, Gender-Based Violence - UNHCR Kenya, 2026)

Common forms of GBV:

  • Physical violence: slapping, beating, choking, or other acts causing injury (KDHS 2022).
  • Sexual violence: rape, forced sex, child sexual abuse or coercive sexual acts (Ikwara et al., 2025).
  • Emotional or psychological abuse: insults, threats, humiliation or controlling behaviour (KDHS 2022).
  • Economic abuse: denying access to money, work or basic needs (Oxfam Kenya, 2025). How Common Is GBV in Kenya?

Reliable national data show GBV affects many people across age groups and settings: Women and Girls (15-49 years):

  • 34% have experienced physical violence since age 15. (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and ICF, Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, 2023).
  • 41% have experienced some form of intimate partner violence (emotional, physical or sexual). (Nyaga et al., BMC Public Health, 2024).
  • 10.4% report experiencing sexual violence. (Ikwara et al., BMC Women’s Health, 2025).
  • Among divorced, separated or widowed women: 58.4% report physical violence; 26.5% report sexual violence. (KDHS 2022).

Domestic Workers:

  • Nearly 60% of domestic workers reported experiencing some form of GBV, most commonly emotional violence (49.9%) and economic violence (28.5%). Women accounted for 90% of cases. (Kariuki, Karanja, Wanjiku & Ogada, Assessment of GBV in Domestic Workers in Kenya,  Oxfam Kenya, 2025).

These figures are likely underestimates, as many survivors do not report abuse due to stigma, fear  of retaliation, or limited access to support.

Why GBV Happens

GBV is driven by:

  • Unequal gender power relations and norms that normalise male dominance. • Social and cultural beliefs that excuse violence.
  • Economic inequality and lack of financial independence.
  • Weak enforcement of protective laws.

GBV is never the fault of the person who experiences it. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator.

Legal Protections in Kenya

Kenya has laws designed to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable, including: • Protection Against Domestic Violence Act (2015)

  • Sexual Offences Act (2006)
  • Children Act (2022)

However, barriers such as stigma, fear and weak enforcement still make reporting and justice  challenging for many survivors.

What to Do if You or Someone You Know Is Affected

Immediate steps

  1. Get to safety - Move away from immediate danger.
  2. Call the National GBV Toll-Free Helpline: 1195 - Available 24/7 for confidential advice, counselling and referrals to services (Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage, Government of Kenya, 2026).
  3. Seek medical care within 72 hours after sexual violence - For treatment, emergency contraception, HIV prophylaxis and evidence collection if pursuing legal action.
  4. Preserve evidence (e.g., don’t wash clothes or shower before seeking urgent help). Support Services in Kenya
  5. Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC)

The GVRC provides:

  • Medical care and emergency treatment for GBV survivors.
  • Counselling and psychosocial support.
  • Referrals to legal aid, shelter and protection services.
  • Education and community prevention programs.

Website: https://gvrc.co.ke/

Location: Adlife Plaza 4th Floor, Ring Road & Chania Avenue Junction, Kilimani (Head Office)

  1. National GBV Toll-Free Helpline - 1195

Available for confidential support, 24 hours a day. Connects survivors with health, counselling  and legal services.

  1. Health Facilities

Public and private hospitals provide post-rape care, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, emergency  contraception and documentation for legal purposes.

  1. Police Gender Desks

Available at many police stations for reporting incidents, safety planning, and linking to  protection orders.

  1. Community and NGO Support Services

Various organisations across counties offer shelter, legal aid, counselling and rehabilitation. Your Rights and What You Deserve

Every person in Kenya has the right to live free from violence and discrimination. If you experience  GBV, you have the right to:

  • Medical care
  • Psychological support
  • Legal protection and justice
  • Confidential and respectful services

Violence is never your fault.

References

  • Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) & ICF. Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022. Nairobi, Kenya & Rockville, Maryland, USA, 2023.
  • Nyaga C. W., et al. (2024). Multilevel analysis of intimate partner violence and associated factors among women aged 15-49 in Kenya, BMC Public Health.
  • Ikwara E. A., et al. (2025). Prevalence and factors influencing intimate partner sexual violence in Kenya, BMC Women’s Health.
  • Kariuki F. N., Karanja T. W., Wanjiku J. W., & Ogada E. A. (2025). Assessment of the Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Domestic Workers in Kenya, Oxfam Kenya.
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Gender-Based Violence - UNHCR Kenya, 2026.
  • Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage, Government of Kenya. National GBV Prevention and Response (Helpline 1195), 2026.