USAID AMPATH Uzima Participates in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Global Campaign
USAID AMPATH Uzima joined the world in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, an annual global campaign led by UN Women which aims to raise awareness about the need to prevent violence against women and girls.
Events at MTRH and in Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Trans Nzoia Counties
In Trans Nzoia County, the program celebrated the event launch under the theme “UNiTE! Invest To Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.” During the event, the program provided HIV Testing Services (HTS) and counselling and distributed condoms. The guest of honour emphasized a multi-agency approach to fighting GBV.
West Pokot County launched its 16 Days campaign at Lomut Area marking a significant step in the collective effort to combat GBV. At the event, USAID AMPATH Uzima program staff took the opportunity to raise awareness with the public about the triple threat, which refers to sexual and gender-based violence, new HIV infections and adolescent pregnancies . This event reflects a united front against GBV, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and multi-sectoral cooperation in addressing violence against women and girls particularly in underserved communities. The director of the Gender Department under the County Executive Committee for Culture, Tourism, Sports, Youth Affairs, and Social Service, as well as local administrators and various development partners were present, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
During the 16 Days, USAID AMPATH Uzima also conducted a social media campaign for GBV by sharing daily updates on AMPATH Kenya social media platforms and internal WhatsApp groups. On December 8, the program joined other partners in marking a culmination of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson Aruasa, MBS, EBS, joined an awareness and public education procession through Eldoret Town. Accompanying the CEO were two legislators from the Uasin Gishu County Assembly, Moi University, the County AIDS and STI Coordinator (CASCO) for Uasin Gishu County, Soroptimist International Club of Eldoret, Jumuiya Women Fund, Equality Fund and Gender Links Kenya, and USAID AMPATH Uzima staff. During the 16 Days of Activism, the program informed the public on the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence as a factor in the triple threat and the work to end all forms of SGBV to prevent adolescent pregnancies and new HIV infections.
Other AMPATH partners and USAID mechanisms also hosted events in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
AMPATH Centre hosts the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret (LACE) which provides pro-bono legal services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, especially people living with HIV. MTRH hosts the Centre for Assault Recovery (CAR-E), a gender-based violence services centre that provides medical, counselling, and support services to victims of GBV.
