SHOFCO leads campaign against GBV in 10 counties to mark 16 days of activism

SHOFCO led over 20 organisations during a match in Kibera Sub County to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. [Suleiman Yeri, Standard]

Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has stepped up its campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) as the world marks 16 Days of Activism against the vice.

The organization has organized GBV sensitization and awareness activities in 10 counties across Kenya including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Machakos, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Vihiga, Kakamega, Siaya, and Nakuru.

The campaign kicked off in Nairobi on Monday, November 25 where SHOFCO led over 20 organisations in Kibera sub-county and held graduation for 160 children who successfully completed Rights of Children (ROC) training program.

"At SHOFCO, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. We're dedicated to creating safe spaces where children can learn, play, and grow. By listening to their voices, we fulfill their right to self-expression, gain insight into their vision for a better world, and make their priorities part of our actions today," Angela Ng'etich, Project Director at SHOFCO, said during the graduation.

The ROC program empowers young children with important life skills including understanding children's rights and responsibilities, recognizing and preventing sexual abuse, building habits of personal hygiene, effective self-defense strategies, fostering respect for their bodies and boundaries, the dangers of drug abuse, and resisting peer pressure.

Angela said the organization is seeking to reach 500,000 girls in informal settlements across Kenya in the next five years.

"We all need to contribute to a world where all women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence and have equal opportunities to thrive and attain their fullest potential."

"Our integrated approach to programming will ensure over 500,000 girls in informal settlement across 15 counties experience enhanced safety, access quality education, have stronger decision making power and greater dignity," she stated.

According to a United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) study, a staggering 736 million women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lifetime.