NEW YORK, United States of America, October 5, 2024/ – Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a critical issue in Kenya, affecting individuals across all demographics. Kenya’s National Gender-Based Violence Toll-Free Helpline, 1195, has emerged as an essential resource for survivors, providing a platform for reporting incidents and receiving immediate assistance. The helpline was launched as the first and only service of its kind in Kenya. It plays a crucial role in addressing and mitigating the impacts of GBV nationwide.
The Growing Scope of GBV in Kenya
The prevalence of GBV in Kenya is alarming. According to a 2022 report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), over 40% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced some form of physical violence, while 14% have suffered sexual violence. However, these figures likely underrepresent the true scale, as many cases go unreported due to stigma, fear, and societal pressures.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the crisis, triggering a spike in domestic violence and child marriage cases during lockdowns. In 2020 alone, the 1195 helpline recorded a staggering 360% increase in calls related to GBV. More than 6,000 survivors contacted the helpline that year, a sharp rise from just over 1,400 in 2019.
How Helpline 1195 Works
The 1195 helpline provides a variety of critical services to GBV survivors:
– Immediate psycho-social support: Trained counselors are available around the clock to offer emotional support, help survivors process trauma, and guide them through the next steps.
– Referrals for essential services: Callers are connected with local shelters, legal aid providers, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement, ensuring comprehensive support for GBV cases.
– Emergency rescues: In urgent cases, the helpline coordinates emergency responses, including police intervention, ambulance services, and medical assistance.
The lifeline intervened in a critical case. It involved the rescue of two young girls in Elgeyo Marakwet County. They had undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). The helpline’s intervention led to their rescue, medical care, and the arrest of the perpetrator.
Confidentiality and Accessibility
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the helpline’s operation. Survivors, especially those affected by intimate partner violence or harmful cultural practices like FGM, often face immense societal pressure to stay silent. The helpline’s SMS-based system allows for discreet reporting of incidents, offering survivors anonymity while receiving support, including medical advice on preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
Additionally, the helpline is multilingual, providing services in Swahili, Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, and other local languages. This inclusive approach ensures that individuals across Kenya can access the support they need, regardless of their background or language proficiency.
Why Helpline 1195 is Critical
The existence of a dedicated GBV helpline in Kenya is indispensable. For many survivors, 1195 is their first point of contact, offering them a safe and supportive environment to seek help without the fear of retaliation. Moreover, the helpline bridges a critical gap in the country’s response system, as many survivors are unfamiliar with the legal and healthcare frameworks necessary to address GBV effectively.
The helpline also plays a pivotal role in gathering and analyzing data on GBV, helping policymakers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) develop targeted interventions. The data, categorized by age, gender, region, and type of violence, is used to address specific issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and FGM. Notably, the helpline has documented an increase in psychological violence reported by men, emphasizing the need for more inclusive GBV policies.
The Role of Healthcare Assistance Kenya (HAK)
The continued success of Helpline 1195 is supported by Healthcare Assistance Kenya (HAK), a local NGO and UN Women partner, which operates the helpline in collaboration with the Kenyan government. HAK ensures the helpline’s sustainability by providing technical, financial, and logistical support. Its team of specially trained tele-counselors offers survivors the appropriate care and guidance, handling highly sensitive and traumatic cases with professionalism.
Beyond crisis response, HAK also plays a vital role in raising public awareness about GBV. Through campaigns like the annual “16 Days of Activism,” HAK emphasizes the importance of reporting violence and promotes community-wide efforts to combat GBV.
Expanding the Reach of 1195
Looking forward, one of the primary goals for Helpline 1195 is to broaden its reach, ensuring that every Kenyan is aware of the helpline’s existence and services. Fanis Lisiagali, the Director of HAK, underscores the importance of making the helpline a household name, so that survivors across the country know there is a resource they can rely on, no matter where they are located. Public awareness campaigns, alongside continued government and international support, will be key to achieving this goal.
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