Reproductive Health Network Kenya

Last week, we attended a training organized by Population Services International, Planned Parenthood Global , and Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH). The session focused on “Changing the Narrative Around Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Kenya” through innovative techniques such as deep canvassing and storytelling. This initiative aimed to empower participants with practical tools to foster understanding and shift perspectives on SRHR issues. The training highlighted the significance of crafting messages that resonate with audience priorities, leveraging six foundational values: care, fairness, liberty, loyalty, authority, and sanctity. Participants learned how to create safe spaces for meaningful dialogue and how storytelling can humanize statistical data, making it more relatable and impactful. Key takeaways included the importance of tailoring communication strategies to build trust, the role of empathy in addressing stigma, and the effectiveness of combining evidence-based information with personal narratives to inspire change. Overall, the training provided insights and practical approaches to advocacy, leaving participants better prepared to engage communities thoughtfully and meaningfully on critical SRHR issues.

Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender is a pervasive violation of human rights and the most extreme manifestation of gender based violence. It arises from entrenched gender inequalities, harmful cultural norms, and systemic failures to safeguard women and girls. Globally, over 81,000 women and girls were intentionally killed in 2021, with more than half of these crimes committed by intimate partners or family members. Despite strides in gender equality, femicide remains alarmingly underreported and inadequately addressed, with justice systems often failing victims. In Kenya, the reality is starkly similar. The country has witnessed a rise in #femicide cases, with high-profile incidents underscoring the severity of the issue. Yet many cases remain unreported due to societal stigma, fear of reprisal, and gaps in the justice system. Deeply rooted patriarchal norms, economic dependency, and a lack of accessible support services perpetuate this cycle of violence. For many women and girls, the risk of violence remains a daily threat, and the lack of accountability emboldens perpetrators. Addressing femicide demands urgent and concerted action. Strengthening and enforcing legislation against #GBV is critical to ensuring justice for victims and deterring future crimes. Equally important is fostering awareness to challenge harmful norms and promote gender equality across all levels of society. Engaging men and boys as allies in combating #GBV can also drive transformative change by dismantling the culture of silence and impunity. The fight against femicide is a collective responsibility. Governments, civil society, communities, and individuals must unite to prioritize prevention, support survivors, and ensure accountability for perpetrators. Ending #femicide is not just a moral imperative it is a critical step toward building a society where all women and girls can live free from violence and fear. #EndFemicide #16DaysOfActivism2024

As we mark the #16DaysOfActivism Against Gender-Based Violence, it’s time to confront a hidden pandemic—femicide. Over 500 women in Kenya have lost their lives to this gendered violence since 2016, yet legislative and systemic inaction persists. This year alone, we’ve seen horrifying cases, including the tragic death of Scarlet Wahu in January 2024. Despite public outcry, femicide remains unrecognized as a national crisis. Kenya has signed international treaties and adopted policies against violence, but the failure to criminalize and address femicide leaves women vulnerable. The 16 Days remind us that violence against women is not inevitable it can and must end. Use this time to amplify voices, push for justice, and demand systemic change. #16DaysOfActivism #NoExcuse KELIN Allan Achesa Maleche Hortense Minishi Nyokabi Njogu Coalition Against Sexual Violence Kenya Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) Reproductive Health Network Kenya Katiba Institute (KI) Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance Kenya Kenya Human Rights Commission Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Amnesty International Kenya CREAWKenya Digital Health and Rights Project Transform Health Kenya National Land Commission Kenya Center for Reproductive Rights UN Women Afya na Haki CEHURD Uganda Akili Dada Zamara Foundation Jessica oluoch Ngina Muyanga Timothy Wafula

Every story matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. Together, we can create a safe space to Listen, Support, and Empower survivors of gender-based violence. As we mark the #16DaysOfActivism, let’s commit to ending the cycle of violence in our communities. It starts with YOU. Speak out. Take action. Be an ally. #EndGBVNow #ListenSupportEmpower #BreakTheSilence United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Peter Ngure Betty Muchiri Lucky Namunyak Kaesha Njeri Sherry Muthaura Michael Gathoni PAI The Roddenberry Foundation Reproductive Health Network Kenya Center for Reproductive Rights Zamara Foundation Drawing Dreams Initiative The Leo Project

This week, we are participating in a four day technical workshop in Sierra Leone under the #EmpowHer Project, focusing on developing Centres of Excellence for Comprehensive Sexuality Education within IPPF Africa Region Member Associations across Africa. The initiative aims to institutionalize scalable and sustainable #CSE programs to ensure all youth have access to high-quality sexuality education. The workshop also includes a site visit to a host organization to observe best practices and identify challenges in implementation, to offer insights for adapting successful strategies across countries. We are joined by participants from eight other countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Eswatini, Malawi, and Zambia. This diverse representation is fostering rich dialogue and regional collaboration to advance #CSE efforts in Africa. This engagement reinforces our commitment to Youth Empowerment and Education. The workshop sets a strong precedent for enhancing our CSE initiatives and creating long-term impact in youth-focused programs. #EmpowHer

It was an honour to host the Health Development Initiative (HDI) Rwanda Team for this exchange learning program. A special thank you to IPPF Africa Region for entrusting us with this opportunity to promote collaboration and share knowledge for meaningful change.

We are honored to have contributed to the development of the Kilifi County Anti-GBV Policy, officially launched yesterday during the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This policy marks a crucial step towards a safer, more equitable community by providing a framework for prevention, survivor support, and holding perpetrators accountable. We look forward to its full implementation and to continuing our collective efforts to end GBV in Kilifi and beyond. Together, we can create a society where everyone is safe and empowered. Leila Abdulkeir Isaak Saskia Hüsken Reproductive Health Network Kenya Planned Parenthood Federation of America AMREF FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network African Population and Health Research Center Children's Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF) Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) Save the Children UK MUSTAFA ASMAN ISMAIL United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) CARE Segal Family Foundation Feminists In Kenya (FIK) Feminist Majority Foundation

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25th to December 10th, We stand united with communities and organizations worldwide in the fight against all forms of violence. #GBV continues to affect millions, perpetuated by entrenched social norms, inequality, and inadequate accountability structures. The impact is profound: limiting access to education, health, safety, and economic opportunities. We are committed to challenging these injustices through advocacy, awareness-raising, and community-centered solutions. Over these 16 days, we will engage communities in critical dialogue, facilitate access to resources, and advocate for survivor-centered policies that uphold dignity and human rights. We will amplify our commitment to creating safe spaces where everyone can live free from violence. We call upon governments, civil society, and individuals to join us in this campaign to transform systems, promote inclusion, and uphold justice for all. Let us not only raise awareness but also drive action that will dismantle the structures enabling #GBV. The fight against GBV is urgent, and the time to act is now! The power to end violence is within our collective hands! #16DaysOfActivism2024 IPPF Africa Region

We recently participated in the Annual Quantification Workshop, a week-long event aimed at reviewing the current supply plan and developing national and county forecasts for family planning commodities. The goal was to ensure a consistent supply and improve access to these commodities across Kenya. Using the March 2024 Family Planning Forecasting and Supply Planning Report, we projected annual consumption rates for the 2024/25 financial year and forecasted 13 key family planning commodities. These included contraceptive pills, implants, IUCDs, condoms, and emergency contraceptives. The process utilized demographic, consumption, and service-based forecasting methodologies, incorporating data from the 2019 Census and the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey. Key recommendations included mobilizing resources to address unfunded shipments for the 2024/25 to 2026/27 financial years and enhancing forecasting and supply planning processes.

This past week, we participated in the 1st Nairobi Health Scientific Conference, a platform that provided an incredible opportunity to highlight our work in strengthening primary healthcare and advancing reproductive health across Kenya through a panel. Key highlights from our panel discussions were our maternal health initiatives, sharing insights into our community-focused initiatives aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and the role our youth advocates play in driving change through grassroots engagement and leveraging social media for impactful outreach. We also talked about the Nena Na Binti Call Center, a reliable resource providing reproductive health information and referral services to communities and finally announcing our upcoming 8th RHNK Pan-African Scientific Conference on #AYSRHR that will bring together stakeholders to exchange knowledge and evidence-based practices for advancing reproductive health and rights. We are excited to continue collaborating with different stakeholders and sharing evidence-based strategies and solutions to build stronger, healthier communities. #NBOHSC2024 Nairobi City County