Hon. Aisha Jumwa, CS to the Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage, earlier today officially flagged off the Nairobi Run Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with the theme, ‘Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls,’ at Green Park, Nairobi County.

The run marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign serves as a reminder of the country’s collective mission to raise voices against the effects of Gender-Based violence.

“Running today as one of the key activities during this campaign symbolizes forward momentum, endurance, and pursuit of a goal shared,” remarked Hon. Jumwa at the flagging off of this run.

Data shows that that 4 in 10 women in intimate relationships have ever experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence (KDHS 2022).

The Government of Kenya, through initiatives such as the Generation Equality Forum, 9-point agenda for women, is committed to ending all forms of Gender-based violence through funding and partnerships.

Since the global adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Kenya has recorded substantial progress in advancing gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

These advancements include the adoption of policy and legal measures related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV); Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), gender parity in school enrollment at the primary school level, progress on women’s representation in leadership and decision making, the right to matrimonial property, and the right to citizenship.

Despite this progress, women, and girls continue to face discrimination, exclusion, and inequality across economic, social, and political fronts.

President Ruto and the government has acknowledged the need immediate action that is required by all state and non-state actors.

Hon. Aisha thanked all the participants, for their unwavering commitment to ending Gender-based violence.

“Run with purpose, run for change, and run towards a future where rights and dignity of all are upheld,” she said.