KOFAVIV works tirelessly to bring shelter and support for victims of sexual violence, and this includes supporting the victims as they go through the legal processes, from filing a complaint to the police, finding a lawyer and helping them build a case, to accompanying the victims to trials.
This past July, four cases of sexual violence for which KOFAVIV had provided assistance to the victims were tried at the courts. KOFAVIV and its local legal aid partner, the BAI (The Bureau of International Lawyers), celebrated a victory as all four aggressors in these cases were convicted and will be jailed for the crimes that they committed against the victims, all of whom are minors. KOFAVIV outreach agents and staff were present at the trials, to provide emotional support to the victims and their families but also to raise awareness about addressing and preventing sexual violence.
Although four cases is an extremely small number compared to the hundreds, if not thousands of cases of sexual violence that go unreported, it is a step in the right direction. Although the legal recourses are slow and often inaccessible to victims of sexual violence, KOFAVIV is not letting this hinder their work. Through public education campaigns, outreach events, and access to support services provided by organizations such as KOFAVIV, victims are breaking the silence and seeking justice.
In the photo below, women and girls line up to receive food aid. In northern Kenya, Womankind Kenya is still working to support families displaced by the famine.
MADRE is working with Womankind Kenya to create a mobile health clinic to bring essential medical care to women and their families. The van will be loaded with medicines, doctors and treatment tents and can transport those in need to hospitals. Our partners will offer family planning, HIV prevention resources and counseling. Doctors, nurses and counselors will travel to remote communities with medical supplies, equipment and tents. Our partners will erect the tents for a day or two in each community to treat patients and offer private medical consultation for women.
The mobile health units will do more than meet urgent needs. They will also provide preventative measures such as disease screening, immunization and health education.
