As the world marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities midway through the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and disability still remains often overlooked.
"Violence against women and girls is far too prevalent in Kenya, the wider region, and globally. Four out of ten women in Kenya reported to have experienced violence, with the perpetrators being a partner or family member," said Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Ed Barnett.
He added, "As we mark 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the deeply concerning rise in femicide in Kenya. And I welcome President Ruto's commitment to 100 million shillings to tackle this scourge. The UK is committed to ending violence against women and girls," he added.
He pledged support to the government and partners to end violence against women and girls such like FGM.
"GBV denies women and girls their full potential, damaging society and stopping development in its track. The UK has a proud record of supporting and accelerating the African-led movement to end FGM," said Barnnet.
The government of Kenya acted to ban the practice in 2011 and empowered the courts to punish those who facilitated or practised FGM in the end goal of eradicating FGM BY 2030.
Despite this progress, the practice is still going on in the Somali, Kisii, Maasai, and Samburu Communities.
Dr Sylvia Moraa who represented the NCPWD board said FGM is a major cause of neuro-developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy and autism due to the damaging of the external female genitalia.
"When a woman is giving birth and the child does not get the right path or spacing, and when men are the ones deciding on behalf of women, even if the doctor recommends a Caesarian-Section, it can be denied, meaning the woman is being forced to give birth naturally," said Moraa
"So you can imagine that is one problem on top of the other. And that's why a majority of the children in these communities have cerebral palsy. Because it mostly happens within the first five years, but the highest number we've seen here in Kenya is because of the point of delivery," said Dr Moraa.
Mercy Wanjau, the secretary to the cabinet who graced the event termed FGM as a pressing issue that must be addressed today.
"FGM is a harmful practice that not only violates the human rights of girls and women but also often leads to disabilities," she said.
Wanjau added, "The impact of FGM on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of its victims is profound, and the devastating effects are even more severe for persons with disabilities."