State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] Research conducted in 10 Counties in Kenya by: Maendeleo Ya Wanaume (MAWE) or Global Men Empowerment Network (GMEN)
R
eport
Research Period April to January 2017
Published by Abroad Technology
Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Research Period April 2016 to January 2017 Copyright 2017 978-9966-060-91-4 This study or parts thereof may not be reproduced either through photocopy or stored or transmitted in anyway by any means, electronic, recording or otherwise in any form without prior permission from the source except as provided by the copyright Law. Published by: Abroad Technology [Kenya] An affiliate of MAWE Published Copies: 99 Page Report 500 copies Published: March 2017 Research Title: State of the Nation Study on Violence against Men and Boys [VAMB] Conducted in 10 Counties in Kenya Conducted by: Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization (MAWE) or Global Men Empowerment Network-GMEN NGO in Kenya registered under no. OP.218/051/14-0281/9756 P.O. Box 37077 ” 20200 Nairobi-Hotline 0724 024 777 Donations to MAWE -MPESA 0724 024 777 Reservations:
(This study was conducted by Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization (MAWE) or Global Men Empowerment Network-GMEN therefore, the matters contained in this report are not official version of the government) Fieldwork, Technical and Financial Support: MAWE/GMEN ORGANIZATION AND VOLUNTEER MEMBERS BOYCHILD FOUNDATION Rule of privacy The study has undertaken to protect the identity of individuals mentioned as a matter of professionalism except where individuals are known due to mass media or the wish of the survivor or victim. This study does not wish to embarrass individuals by making their private social problems public unless requested to do so. Any similarities in context to cases which individuals wish to remain secret are coincidental. Office Main Address Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization (MAWE) Global Men Empowerment Network (GMEN)
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: maendeleoyawanaume.org.co.ke Head Quarters at- Githurai- C.E.O. Centre Ground Floor, SUITE 10 & 11. P.O. Box 37077 00100 Nairobi Office mobile numbers. 0722 764 995 or 0733 222 544 or 0724 024 777
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Contents Organization details-----------------------------------------------------1 Preface -------------------------------------------------------------------2 Acknowledgement ------------------------------------------------------3 Contents -----------------------------------------------------------------4 Acronyms and Abbreviations -------------------------------------------5
Chapter 1 Executive Summary ----------------------------------------------8 1:1 Background 1:2 Trend of gender events 1:3 Kenya Constitution 2000 1:4 Gender segregation 1:5 The research 1:6 Why focus on violence against men and boys 1:7 Definition of gender violence 1:8 Objectives of the study - Main objective 1:9 Specific objectives 1:10 Methodology and scope of the research 1:11 Survey instruments 1:12 Research implementers 1:13 Data sources, data collection and consent 1:14 Data management and analysis, 1:15 Qualitative data 1:16 Characteristics/social profile of the study population 1:17 In-depth qualitative research 1:18 Ethical considerations 1:19 Challenges 1:20 Limitations of the study 1:21 Geographical characteristics 1:22 Mass media exposure 1:23 (a) Mass media exposure (N=2000) 1:24 Disability status 1:25 Support from friends and organizations 1:26 Perception of justice 1:27 (b) Support and problem sharing (N=2000)
Chapter 2 Social Cultural Dimensions------------------------------------15 2:1 (c) Map of Kenya showing the location of the 10 selected Counties 2:2 Nairobi County 1 2:3 (d) Emotional Abuse -County in order of prevalence 2:4 KIAMBU COUNTY 2 2:5 MERU COUNTY 3 2:6 (e) Economic and Physical Abuse -County in order of prevalence 2:7 (f) Gender and Domestic Abuse (Emotional abuse frequency) 2:8 HOMA BAY COUNTY 4 2:10 KILIFI COUNTY 5 2:11 MACHAKOS COUNTY 6 2:12 NYERI COUNTY 7 2:13 (h) Gender and Domestic Abuse (Combined forms of abuse) 2:14 NAKURU COUNTY 8 2:15 KISII COUNTY 9 2:16 KAKAMEGA COUNTY 10
Chapter 3 Facts Sheets, Key Facts and Recommendations--23 3:1 Facts Sheet (1) Key Facts about men 3:2 Facts Sheet (2) Key Facts about Boys 3:3 Facts Sheet (3)Other Key Facts about men and boys 3:4 Dropout rate in order of prevalence 3:5 Rapes and defilements in order of prevalence 3:6 Boda boda key facts 3:7Facts Sheet (4) Key Recommendations for the male gender 3:8 Facts Sheet (5) Key Recommendations for boys 3:9 General findings on gender and domestic abuse against men 3:10 General findings on abuse and violence against boys:3:11 Proposed recommendations to the United Nations (UN) 3:12 Proposed recommendations to the Kenya Government 3:13 Key Recommendations on Knowledge of Laws and Services
Chapter 4 Impact on Gender and Domestic Violence against men and Boys-------------------------------------------------------32 4:1 Domestic Violence 4:2 Overview and extent of violence against males in Kenya 4:3 Male gender is under siege 4:4 Male Genital Mutilation [MGM] 4:5 Male Jigger menace in comparison with females 4:6 Social exclusion 4:7 Male potential gender and domestic abusers 4:8 Majority of men suffer because of culture aspects 4:9 Negative consequences of violence 4:10 Assumption that male battering is justified 4:11 Help is not often sought „ barriers exist 4:12 Reason of not seeking help 4:13 Men awareness 4:14 Knowledge among key stakeholders 4:15 Some men are more at risk of violence 4:16 What are the consequences of such violence? 4:17 What are the perceived causes of violence? 4:18 How do women respond to violence in comparison with men? 4:19 Reporting conjugal rights abuse 4:20 Men choose not to report due to many factors 4:21 Structural corruption against the male gender 4:22 One-Male gender social/ economic empowerment discrimination. 4:23 Two-Perennial social and economic emasculation and exploitation 4:24 Three-Unequal gender educational, employment and legal access 4:25 Inter-marriages, ethnic and domestic abuse and violence 4:26 Men, marriage and education 4:27 Premeditated homicide on the rise 4:28 Premeditated homicide 4:29 Alcohol and drug abuse and gender violence 4:30 Marriage crisis 4:31 Death threats on the rise 4:32 Wealth and marriage (Economic Abuse) 4:33 Growing odds in social and economic development of the males 4:34 (j) Major employment sectors demographics analysis 4:35 Hidden crime and a global epidemic 4:37 Masculinity under crisis 4:38 Women more confident today 4:39 Characteristics of emotional abuse
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:40 Characteristics of economic abuse 4:41 Characteristics of physical abuse 4:42 Inheritance matters are classified types of VAMB 4:43 Foreigners too at risk of domestic violence and abuse 4:44 Witchcraft and gender based violence 4:45 Gender violence in the workplace 4:46 Legal and policy response to VAMB 4:47 Men opting to stay single 4:48 Alimony crisis in the civil service 4:49 Introduction of a Dowry Bill (DB) 4:50 Reproduction rights and conjugal rights 4:51 Vasectomy a hidden agenda to castrate the male gender 4:52 Confinement of men at homes 4:53 Disparities in implementation of rights in prisons 4:54 Unfair male jurisdiction 4:55 Inheritance Policy Bill 4:56 Gender Violence Elimination Fund (GVEF) 4:57 Gender and Cultural Studies (GCS) 4:58 Introduction of Gender Courts GC 4:59 Duties of Gender Crisis Centre’s (GCC) 4:60 Roles of Gender Crisis Centre’s (GCC) 4:61 Reporting domestic abuses in the office of administration chief 4:62 Prevalence of violence 4:63 Experiences of emotional and sexual abuse 4:64 Economic abuse and discrimination 4:65 Selective gender (women) empowerment government loans 4:66 Extent of health problems 4:67 Barriers to accessing assistance 4:68 Suggestions for tackling VAMB 4:69 Men’s Knowledge and attitudes 4:70 Awareness of VAMB 4:71 Perceived causes of violence 4:72 Patriarchal norms 4:73 Lack of awareness on men’s rights 4:74 Alcohol consumption 4:75 Elderly men are more at risk of gender violence 4:76 Creation of a Senior Citizen Bill 4:77 Gender violence and introduction of Marriage Contract (MC) 4:78 Changing social norms and access to technology 4:79 Knowledge of existing laws and policies 4:80 Knowledge of support systems for GBV survivors, access barriers 4:81 VAMB and GBV prevention and protection in the community 4:82 Factors associated with knowledge of the laws on GBV and rights 4:83 Attitudes towards male battery and sexual violence 4:84 Characteristics of abusive women 4:85 Superiority complex 4:86 Alcohol and drug abuse. 4:87 Borderline Personality Disorder 4:88 Verbal abuse 4:89 Infectious insults 4:90 Denial of conjugal rights 4:91 Controlling behavior 4:92 Cruelty to children 4:93 Premenstrual syndrome
Chapter 5 Selected Counties Analysis and Findings---------49 5:1 County 1 - Nairobi 5:2 Some serialized comments from respondents in Nairobi County:5:3 County 2 - Kiambu 5:4 Some serialized comments from respondents in Kiambu County:-
5:5 County 3- Kilifi 5:6 Some serialized comments by respondents in Kilifi County:5:7 County 4- Nyeri 5:8 Some serialized comments from respondents in Nyeri County:5:9 County 5 ” Meru 5:10 Some serialized comments from respondents in Meru County:5:11 County 6 ” Kisii 5:12 Some serialized comments from respondents in Kisii County:5:13 County 7 ” Nakuru 5:14 Some serialized comments from respondents in Nakuru County:5:15 County 8 ” Machakos 5:16 Some serialized comments from respondents in Machakos County:5:17 County 9” Homa Bay 5:18 Some serialized comments from respondents in Homa Bay County:5:19 County 10 ” Kakamega 5:20 Some serialized comments by respondents in Kakamega County:-
Chapter 6 Violence against Boys-----------------------------------62 6:1 Boy child neglect and discrimination 6:2 History of male child abuse 6:3 (i) Demographic overview of violence against the boy child 6:4 Dropout rate in order of prevalence 6:5 Rape and defilement rampant among boys 6:6 Definition of the word rape 6:7 Nairobi County1 6:8 Nyeri County.2 6:9 Kilifi County 3 6:10 Meru County 4 6:11 Machakos County 5 6:12 Nakuru, County 6 6:13 Homa Bay County 7 6:14 Kisii County 8 6:15 Boda Boda Menace and the Male child 6:16 Kiambu County 9 6:17 Health, Physical and Sex Education (HPSE) 6:18 Kakamega County 10 6:19 Circumcision and the boy child 6:20 Abandoned Children Bill (ACB) 6:21 Proposed programs will be structured in various categories i.e. 6:22 Financial structure and Action plan 6:23 Quota system of education
Chapter 7 Focus Group Discussion--------------------------------73 7:1 Study limitations 7:2 The policy and program response 7:3 Community Level - Raise awareness of GBV 7:4 Develop innovative mechanisms for increasing policy accountability 7:5 Address potential drivers of GBV 7:6 Improve official awareness and accountability 7:7 Improve capacity to fully implement laws 7:8 Develop mechanisms to prevent VAMB and GBV 7:9 Conduct a policy review of legal gaps and barriers 7:10 Enhance evidence base for action 7:11 Perceptions of prevalence of violence 7:12 Factors perceived to contribute to VAMB
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 7:13 Knowledge of and attitudes towards laws on VAMB 7:14 Perceptions regarding implementation of laws 7:15 Efforts on VAMB matters 7:16 Efforts to address VAMB at the village level 7:17 No shelter home for male victims 7:18 Male Rights Defenders challenges 7:19 Areas for improvement, addressing gaps in the laws and policies 7:20 Increasing collaboration and co-operation 7:21 Strengthening service provision 7:22 Reporting domestic abuse in the office of administration chief 7:23 Raising community awareness 7:24 Generating response 7:25 Some men are more at risk of violence 7:26 Men are most at risk of violence from people closest to them 7:27 Man is most at risk of violence from economically empowered wives 7:28 What are the consequences of such violence? 7:29 What are the perceived causes of violence? 7:30 How do men respond to violence? 7:31 Perceived reasons why men stay in an abusive relationship 7:32 Gender balanced national budget. 7:33 Men support groups 7:34 Gender Based Violence GBV Elders Courts (EC) 7:35 Policy and program response 7:36 Recommendations 7:37 Raise awareness of GBV at the community level 7:38 Develop innovations for increasing policy/program accountability 7:39 Address potential drivers of GBV 7:40 Improve official awareness and accountability Program implementation level 7:41 Improve capacity to fully implement laws 7:42 No shelter homes in the country 7:43 Develop creative mechanisms to prevent, reduce VAMB and GBV 7:44 Policy review, legal gaps/barriers to implementation 7:45 Enhance the evidence base for action 7:46 Removing the structural causes of VAMB and GBV 7:47 GBV Institutional mechanisms 7:48 Gender violence and religion
Chapter 9 Media Reports------------------------------------------------------88 Bibliography------------------------------------------------------------------------------------94 Launching of the Research Statement ----------------------------------------96
Chapter 8 Policy Framework------------------------------------------------84 8:1 International legal framework 8:2 The First ever 2020 International Men Declaration Forum 8:3 2020 South Africa Men Declaration and Platform for Action (SAMDPA) 8:4 Main Objectives 8:5 Specific Objectives 8:6 National legal frameworks - The Constitution 8:7 The Sexual Offences Act 8:8 Article 3. Rape 8:9 Article 5. Sexual assault 8:10 The Penal Code 8:11 The Matrimonial Causes Act 8:12 Customary Marriage Laws 8:13 Marriage act 2014 8:14 Children and Adoption Laws 8:15 Widows and children Pension Scheme (Cap 195) 8:16 The protection against domestic violence act 8:17 The Children’s Act 8:18 More research needed on VAMB and GBV
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Abbreviations and Acronyms MAWE Maendeleo ya Wanaume Organization GMEN Global Men Empowerment Network NGO Non-Governmental Organization GVCF Gender Violence Children Fund MEP Men Empowerment Policy BEP Boy child Empowerment Policy GVEF Gender Violence Elimination Fund GBV Gender-Based Violence HIV/AIDS Human Immune Deficiency Virus UN United Nations TJRC Truth and Justice Reconciliation Commission VAMB Violence against Men and Boys VAW Violence against Women CIPEV Commission of Inquiry into Post Election Violence GCE Gender and Culture Education SOA Sexual Offences Act MGM Male Genital Mutilation MCHV Male Community Health Volunteers FBO Faith Based Organizations UEC Universal Education Curriculum SPEF Single Parents Empowerment Fund WEF Women Enterprise Fund UF Uwezo Fund FDB Fetus Disposal Bill GC Gender Courts GVRC Gender Violence Recovery Centre FF Family Fund GCC Gender Crisis Centre BGF Boy Girl Fund IMLD International Men’s liberation Day UCPL Universal Children Protection Law MA Marriage Act WCR Women County Representatives MPA Matrimonial Property Act USA United States of America VTR Victims’ Trust Fund NGEC National Gender and Equality Commission FGD Focus Group Discussion GBVF Gender Based Violence Fund UNMF UN Men Fund
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Chapter 1 Executive Summary 1:1 Background Violence against men is prevalent in every society, and encompasses different forms of physical, sexual, economic and emotional abuse. However, despite its large scale, social and economic impact, it is largely overlooked and under-researched in key areas. This report is based on findings from FDGs survey respondents of 1,700 men and 300 females. Men and boys can be victims of violence at the hands of both sexes, and the results of this survey, together with other data collection show that violence against men is predominantly perpetrated by both men and women. Majority of violence against men can be understood as gender-based violence. 1:2 Trend of gender events In 1960, Kenya finally achieved sovereign status during the years of colonialism, evolving from new Stone Age to relatively a modern Nation in 1963. All this came at cost, however the years preceding independence especially the great turbulence due to agitation of self-realization and determination. The tall order was immense especially to freedom fighters and sympathizes. There was unperfected change in social, political and economic structure of the country. For the first time the country could chart its own destiny notwithstanding the master and slave relationship that had existed prior to this period. The country faced gigantic social and economic challenges in its quest to attain its dream and vision. Men and women who fought for emancipation from the colonial yoke were unfortunately left out from national recognition. Instead of becoming national hero’s they were instantly forgotten and left to languish in a state of semi financial and economic misery and slavery. After independence, men who were in the forest fighting for revolution and freedom were either killed or deported and most of them lost their wives, children and property. The purpose of government and gender devolution has been gradual in the line with other civilized nations of the world. Men embraced the system of democracy and passed on to the women and meant government of the people by the people and for the people. In the first elections women had no identity cards and therefore were not required to vote, the first parliament did not have a single female cabinet minister. Majority of women were illiterate and most of them were subsistence farmers or were employed in the informal sectors. During this time the salaries of women were roughly half of what the men were paid. This did not last long before women started agitated for equal pay.
Also before then women were not paid house allowances, but after consultations by women rights groups, the government harmonized their pay and they were also entitled to receive house allowances. In pastoral communities women hardly attended school they were married off when they were very young. The government alleviated the situation by building more girls schools after women protested. Many women organization were formed to fight for equal rights. The government started introducing credit facilities for women without corresponding facilities for men. Women began to be employed in the armed forces in late 70s where today women are in the armed forces and accorded light duties but receive same pay as men. The economic empowerment of women has been unprecedented since independence. Women who own businesses are increasing tenfold while they continue enjoying free interest loans and long repayment periods. This is also happening in the developed nations like the USA where women are still clamoring for equality with men even in this 21st Century. It is a fact that women are increasingly gaining prominence in economic activities of the country at the expense of men while governments continue to empower them with special programs that prioritize the female gender. As Kenya continues to celebrate independence every year, there has been unequal devolution of powers annually especially where women are concerned. Almost all government programs are tailored to benefit women against men. The social empowerment of women to take over roles meant for men is a very unfortunate state of affairs. This position contradicts many policy makers since man has ever been the pocket of woman, whether she is employed or not means the same. Man since creation has been the cash crop of woman and has been her undisputed slave all along. She has made it a right and duty to milk the man’s salary, wealth and property freely with impunity. 1:3 Kenya Constitution (2000) The Constitution of Kenya says on promotion of representation of marginalized groups in Article 100 - Parliament shall enact legislation to promote the representation in Parliament of (a) women; (b) persons with disabilities; (c) youth; (d) ethnic and other minorities; and (e) marginalized communities. Representation of marginalized men or boys has not been addressed by the Constitution and it should have stated in (a) men or women which includes boys and girls. The name ‘men’ appears in the entire Constitution three times while ‘women’ appears 13 times. The word boy does not appear anywhere while the word girl appears. The obsession with women in the constitution is a big question? The Kenya Constitution appears to be female oriented and is same with enshrining female gender activism at the expense of males. On top of that, the constitution reserves 74 seats for women in Parliament and 16 seats in the Senate and at the same time allows women to contest the remaining elective seats. It is a fact that the Constitution of Kenya is a symbol of a Goddess and has instead fueled gender apartheid, animosity and hatred according to MAWE. The advantages awarded to women are tantamount to discriminating against men and particularly the boy child. What does equality mean? Do women have special assignment in Parliament? Or are they elected to go to the August House to make laws that tame male adversaries? Does it mean that since children are not elected in parliament they are not represented? Animals are not elected in parliament but are protected like human beings!
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 The number of male MPs might be large but they are not in Parliament in their capacity as men, or to only represent men. They are in Parliament by virtue of being elected and represent both genders equally. Why, then, should women access the Legislature on a gender ticket and be elected by both genders and paid to represent females all years on ends? Women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social activities. The constitution displays gender segregation with women being treated as first class citizens and men coming in second. What sort of society does the constitution envisage? It is clear that women capitalize on feminism to gain mileage. The only reason the constitution can give for reserving special seats is the argument that women are marginalized. Since the two sexes have lived together since time immemorial, at what stage did women become marginalized? We have female Cabinet Secretaries, PS’s company CEOs and business tycoons, among many others. Are these symbols of a marginalized sex? Today, the role of men in society is not appreciated anymore. Women are consistently empowered economically at the expense of men. That is the sad fact replayed in the Kenya Constitution. Women form 51 per cent of the population and, therefore, could muster majority votes. Why can’t women aspirants sell their ideas to the electorate and seek their votes? If rejected, perhaps they have nothing to offer in comparison with other aspirants. These reserved seats will only benefit scheming gender activist’s intent on infiltrating Parliament through the back door. Enshrining these seats in law is the same as encroaching men’s rights. In fact, Parliament could soon become an institution or platform for gender lobbyists. Women have displaced men from their work places even with lower education qualifications while men are denied opportunities on the basis of gender. By nature, women are not their men’s keepers; therefore, favouring them is tantamount to declaring men unwanted in their own homes. Men in this case are not begging for any favours apart from the right not to be discriminated against. When you discriminate man you are in the real sense discriminating the boychild who is helpless and deserves equal treatment with the girlchild. 1:4 Gender segregation Empowerment of man in matrimony is a vocabulary; the legal marriage union once protected by the constitution has been invaded by all sorts of government policies and programs which have exclusively edge the husband to oblivion. Man as the head of the family unit, the chief policy maker and the executive director of family affairs has been relegated to a secondary role and like a symbol of oblivion his duty is only sire children. The woman who was supposed to be the caretaker of the family has taken over the family and the man is subject to her authority. This is a product of empowering females exclusively and sidelining the males which has breed serious power and authority breakdown in families and society due to reasons being apparent and obvious. The presence of gender, domestic violence and abuse, separations, divorce, perennial family breakups, rebellious children and upsurge of crime, terrorism and sexual offences are a tip of the iceberg. The revolution agenda and clamoring for power by women is as old as the Bible; women started their spirited fight from the first woman Eve in the Garden of Eden. God in his wisdom commanded man by delegating special duties during creation, among them was to name all animals, plants and everything on earth and man did so without starter ring.
God in his works did the first major surgery of extracting a rib from the man after inducing sleeping tabs and removed a rib which was used to graft a being called woman. Man was surprised when he woke up and before him was a beautiful girl before called Eve. Satan in his canniness was somehow happy about the new development since he feared Adam and could not even try to talk to him but Eve was softer in approach and was best suited to lure the man to bend the law of God which she did successfully. The rest is history since Eve became the first woman sinner by going against the wish of man and God. Initially man was destined and designed to rule the world and everything beneath as a dominant factor and partner to God and woman to be subject to man. This is well illustrated in the Koran and Bible, Genesis Chapter 3. Of course there have been attempts and ill campaigns by some feminists to amend the Bible and Koran on verses that are pro-men but this will be the worst fatal series of gender events in the world. Since creation, man has and will ever be the main traditional breadwinner of the family and this of course is a Gods commandment and the natural order of things and also the African cultural norms. If this principle has failed or fails, then the time to empower and create affirmative action for married men in order to have income generating activities so as to continue fulfilling his mandate is long overdue. ‚Empowering the wife without in co-operating the husband is tantamount to sabotaging man’s authority to the rule of feminism and is against the Marriage Act 2014 which protects Marriage as a unit that is not supposed to be divided by among others government policies or program. Any attempts to destabilize Marriages either through government policies stands to be objected with the strongest words possible.‛ Basically it is translated that empowering a man is the same as empowering the whole family, but empowering the married woman is like encouraging divisions, friction, separations and divorce since most women end up evicting or separating with their husbands after realizing that he is not efficient in providing as a breadwinner. ‚Empowering the female gender selectively is neo-colonialism and a time bomb; it is a western ideology which is meant to destabilize African families and communities. This tailor made scam is uncultured, un-African and un-divine to an extent. It is a ‚coup de grace‛ meant to wrestle authority from African males and replace with foreign domination through women who are slow in decision making so to speak.‛ MAWE singular aim is to rally for an equitable society devoid of discrimination. MAWE believes that all persons in Kenya are susceptible to various forms of discrimination in one way or another. As such, affirmative action programs or policies must not be pegged on the female gender or be designed within a blanket assumption that one gender is more vulnerable than the other. ‚MAWE believes that affirmative action must have a sunset period beyond which its continued application becomes counterproductive to the original objective.‛ MAWE stands for the empowerment and restoration of the boy child and the man through deliberate government programs and policies that are destined to enable the male gender fit within the social constructs and expectations of the African society.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 The man is called to provide irrespective of his income or lack of it. Any order that upsets this traditional setup is bound to cause massive disruption of the family as the basic unit of the society. MAWE abhors gender based violence no matter who the perpetrator is. By that very fact, MAWE demands for fair administration of justice, mediation and arbitration especially between men and women in gender and domestic conflict. MAWE is against discriminative standards, policies and programs that seek to elevate certain groups of people above the rest without due consideration of the unique experiences and expectation of each person. MAWE is not in competition with women contrary to critics but works hand in hand with all organizations and government agencies that have a common agenda on a gender violence free and equitable society. MAWE is especially keen where the male gender appears to be compromised by the opposite gender. It came into existence to counter the growing influence of women in domain traditionally held by men. It fights for the rights of men in adverse situations and lobbies the government for support of the male child, youths and aged men for subsistence support, implementation of policies and services. It is gender sensitive, nonpartisan and advocates for a level playing ground for both genders. Its vision is geared towards harmonizing gender relationship while embracing both culture and modern technology and also reorganizing gender in its proper perspective. It serves as a voice of men, a male rights watchdog and a platform to address Violence against Men and boys. 1:5 The research This report addresses issues related to, the right to human dignity, the right to the integrity of a person, the principle of non-discrimination, including on the ground of sex, the right to equality, the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial. This report is based on interviews with an average of 2,000 respondents and shows that violence against men and boys, and specifically gender and domestic that disproportionately affects men, is an extensive rights abuse that cannot be downplayed. The survey asked men and boys about their experiences of physical, emotional and economic violence, including incidents of intimate partner violence and general gender and domestic violence by non-intimate partners. In addition, it asked about boys experiences in violence and the results displayed emerging picture of extensive abuse that affects male’s lives but under-reported to relevant authorities. For example, 7 in 10 men have experienced some form of violence be it physical, emotional or economic in their lifetime and over 200 boys defiled and raped daily. There have been repeated calls for years for a comprehensive data on violence against men and boys. It is clear, with the publication of these results, that the time is now ripe to address violence against men and boys on the basis of the results supplied by the study from 10 selected counties. The findings seek to introduce and strengthen implementation of existing measures for victims and arrest of perpetrators alongside responses to violence against men at the ward and constituency level as a mainstream policy issue This is because a majority of men do not report their experiences of abuse to authorities due to stigma and cultural bonds as the major setback that hiders men from speaking out. Innovative avenues for highlighting and combating violence against men and boys need to be implemented.
The results presented in this research were made possible by the participation of men, women, boys and girls as the respondents in the survey who gave their time to talk about personal and difficult experiences of abuse. It was the first time for a majority of them to have spoken to anyone about their personal life experiences. 1:6 Why focus on violence against men and boys Violence against males has been a no agenda by local and international stakeholders. In comparison with women there are no local or international definitions of violence against men and boys, as well as lack of existing research on men that encompasses a wide range of men’s experiences. This portrays the magnitude of sex segregation displayed by local and international stakeholders mandated to provide equal gender protection with impartiality. The study explored four main dimensions of violence:a) The mode ” social, psychological, sexual-(emotional), economic and/ or physical. b) The frequency - on/off, occasional (rare) c) The severity - chronic. - permanent injury (regularly) d) Boy child challenges, abuse and violence. 1:7 Definition of gender violence Gender means the state of being either male or female and defines how males and female relate in the society. Gender based Violence can affect either gender. Violence against men does exist in all communities and is addressed as Gender-Based Violence GBV as a form of human rights violation and is on the increase according to reports of violence to MAWE. The government and international forums have not been keen on the problem in comparison with violence against women which has been expeditiously addressed locally and internationally. The social cultural stereotypes of masculinity have had adverse effects and it is a fact that the male gender is currently bearing the blunt of gender inequality and is a victim of circumstances due to ignorance, deficient and non-existent policies and services on their welfare thereby resulting to male emasculation and gender based violence prevalence. It is hard to imagine the society or media mocking a battered woman but the same society pokes fun when male survivors of domestic abuse and violence are aired struggling in pain at the hospital bed after an attack by the spouse. The sporadic reports of men been assaulted physically is worrying. Beyond its bizarre physical and physiological cost, domestic violence against men exacts a cruel economic challenge at the personal, family fabric, societal and national levels. The average citizen and media view domestic violence as a manmade social problem against female gender. Violence against Men and Boys VAMB occurs in all societies at any stage of a man's lifecycle. In some cases it even occurs before a boy is born through sex selective abortion. VAMB such as physical, emotional, economic or sexual violence occur in all cultures, although they are more common in some while others change or die out over the time yet others can persist over a lifetime. In the context of Kenya, the key structural factor that exacerbates men's vulnerability is the ill assumption that the male gender is automatically empowered economically throughout his livelihood and the belief that one will suffer misfortune if he shares his marital problems with anyone.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 This belief is due in large part to the fact that men remain to be breadwinners whatsoever and therefore have no choice but works oneself to death so as to relegate their core role which includes among others marrying and feeding their family regardless of one’s resources or unemployment challenges. It is a fact that laws that protect women from gender and domestic violence and abuse are not initially intended to fit or protect men but drafted expeditiously for protection of females against males. This study uses the terms VAMB and GBV interchangeably as it recognizes VAMB as a subcategory of GBV. Commitments from the Government of Kenya to address the issue of VAMB in particular reflect an official laxity in the way they are handled. More precisely, the Government has formulated legal mechanisms to reduce women's vulnerability and address the menace without incorporating men’s input in capacity building on the fight against GBV and domestic violence in general. 1:8 Objectives of the study - Main objective “ The main objective of the study was to examine and estimate violence against men and boys, as a subcategory of gender-based violence in Kenya including interpersonal, physical, sexual, economic, physiological and emotional abuse with a focus to determine interventions to solve the problem. 1:9 Specific objectives The specific objectives of the study were:1. To establish the prevalence and magnitude of gender based violence against men and boys and intimate partner violence among selected counties of Kenya. 2. To assess men’s attitudes towards, laws, policies and services addressing VAMB as a sub-category of GBV. 3. To assess stakeholders’ knowledge of and attitudes towards, laws, policies and services addressing VAMB as sub-category of GBV. 4. To identify focal areas for the development of policies and programs to reduce VAMB as subcategory of gender-based violence. 5. To identify social ”cultural and economic factors relating to gender based violence among the studied communities. 6. To establish the types and forms of GBV and IPV and perpetrators among selected regions and communities. 7. To make suggestions and interventions for addressing GBV on the basis of findings. 8. To assess the types of abuse and establish the extent of boy child neglect and abuse by society and government. 1:10 Methodology and scope of the research Methodologically, the study carried out a quantitative survey and targeted 1700 males and 300 females between 16-55 years in 10 counties that is:- 1. Nairobi 2.Nyeri 3. Kilifi 4. Kisumu 5. Kitui. 6. Kisii. 7. Kakamega. 8. Meru 9. Homa Bay 10. Nakuru counties by using stratified cluster sampling approach. The results data were purposively selected in consultation with police, administration chiefs, hospital records and MAWE office data base. Owing to the predominantly rural nature of some parts of the country and the pre-determined sample size and unit of analysis, this study focused on the totality of violence against male gender and its consequences and solutions that can eradicate the vice.
This study used a mixed-method research design incorporating FGDs, interviews and cross-sectional surveys. To estimate the prevalence of violence, assess men’s attitudes and knowledge. We conducted cross sectional FGD surveys among men in the general population. Stakeholder knowledge of and attitudes towards VAMB and GBV were assessed through in-depth, qualitative research methods. Each County was labeled as a Focus Group Discussion-FGDs considered as a cluster. A total of 10 clusters were analyzed using systematic random sampling. At the selected cluster, a screening questionnaire was administered to the head of the group which comprised a total of 10 men and 3 women per [FGD] and, or per county and was randomly chosen and interviewed on the selected list of articles pertinent to the discussion and questionnaire. The study focused on violence against men and boys and targeted different categories of men that include:a. Married, separated or divorced b. Live in couples relationship c. Family members and relatives d. Engagement or love relationship e. Have sired or adopted a child/children f. Primary, secondary and university boys students However, throughout the course of developing the methodology, key research questions, selecting the sample groups and establishing interview schedules, the theme of the study on VAMB emerged strongly as a focus case study that will determine science. The study recognizes the fact that women and girls too equally suffer gender violence, but given the need for a limited and targeted focus as well as government priorities on the male gender, this project seeks to provide the information needed to inform decision-making organs and programmatic responses to male survivors of including the boy. This survey based study shows that domestic violence is likely to strike men as well as women equally. It is a fact that the overwhelming mass of evidence and facts indicates that all domestic disputes involve and start with a verbal or physical exchange and evenly splints between spouses. 1:11 Survey instruments The following were research instruments used to collect data: “ Prevalence survey questionnaire for men and women “ Focus group discussion guidelines for men and women “ In-depth interview guidelines for men and women The prevalence survey covered the following topics: “ Socio characteristics:Current age, age at marriage, education, marital status, ethnicity, type of family, sources of income, employment, disability status and exposure to media. “ Wife’s background:Current age, education, occupation, abuse of alcohol or drugs
“ Attitudes towards violence: “ Community violence “ Knowledge about GBV laws, polices and services “ Intimate partner violence and non-intimate “ Consequences and Interventions Perceptions of economic violence and discrimination varied across the groups. Men reported that women are often paid more to do the same work as men with more women promotion opportunities.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 1:12 Research implementers “Volunteer members of MAWE and Boychild Foundation “Qualified researchers “Enumerators
Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package. A central focus of the analysis was to assess the extent of violence against men, their awareness of laws and policies addressing the issue, and their help-seeking behavior.
1:13 Data sources, data collection and consent Data was obtained from primary sources through field work carried out in various parts of selected counties. A survey questionnaire and detailed interview schedules/guides were designed and used to capture the prevalence, magnitude, trends and causes of VAMB. In carrying out this study, the researchers were conscious of the need to ensure that all respondents consented to interviews and to the contents of interview used in the report. Because of the sensitive nature of the questions and the difficulty in obtaining privacy at the participant’s home men who were willing to participate were interviewed at a central location outside and in privacy.
1:15 Qualitative data Flash memory ships, field notes from in-depth interviews, semistructured interviews, FGDs were transcribed and analysis based on thematic approaches. Due to limited time and resources, we analyzed the qualitative data manually. Emerging themes identified and grid tables were prepared.
Fieldwork was carried in 10 months from April 2016 to January 2017. 6 trained researchers gathered data and were the overseers in the organization headquarters. The field team of 100 people received training in the application of the research. Representatives of MAWE facilitated the training. The training curriculum included an overview of the objectives, followed by sampling methodology, research ethics and techniques for building rapport, interview skills, questionnaire administration, recording and transcription. In addition all the research instruments were discussed in detail, and mock interviews were carried out. Field researchers and enumerators’ were trained to follow standard practices and were responsible for obtaining informed consent, maintaining ethical norms, and conducting individual interviews. The trained researchers were responsible for day-to-day record update and supervision of the enumerators, conducting FGDs and indepth interviews with men and reporting to the researchers. To increase confidentiality, individual interviews were conducted in private locations convenient to the respondents, usually away from their homes or workplaces. Some in-depth interviews and FGDs were recorded with phones with the consent of the respondents. Interviews were transcribed and FGD field notes were expanded weekly. Six debriefing meetings were held at the MAWE Head Office at CEO Centre along Thika Highway at Githurai Town after the researchers had completed the semi data collection in all Counties. Research members from each county component sent their noted field experiences and discussed the challenges they faced during their fieldwork with the researchers. Advisory committee of three members under the leadership of MAWE was formed before the study initiation. The role of the Focus Groups Discussion FGD was to safeguard and address the community’s and the study participants’ interests and concerns during the study period and ensure that ethical and harmonization guidelines were followed. The FGD were answerable to the researchers and would discuss the methods and research instruments and challenges. 1:14 Data management and analysis, The completed individual questionnaires were manually edited and coded before being entered into the data entry system. A data management officer closely monitored the work of data entry assistant and randomly checked entered data every day.
1:16 Characteristics/social profile of study population The median age of the men surveyed was 35 years, with 30% as young as 16 years. A majority of the men (72%) were married, and of those who had ever married, more than half (51%) had two or more children. As noted above, our geographical focus meant that about 49% of the men between 16-35 years surveyed belonged to the junior and senior youth group followed by those between ages 36 - 50 (43%) and the elderly group of 50 and above (8%). The age of the in-depth interview respondents ranged from 18 to 55 years, and their education levels ranged from 0 level certificate or diploma. Many men were involved in either self-employment or civil service. The respondents were from different ethnic groups. The age of the FGD participants ranged from 18 to 55 years. Boys in the youngest age group were represented by junior and senior youth, while women in the other two groups were involved in teaching, business and or were housewives. 1:17 In-depth qualitative research We conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews, and semi-structured interviews. 10 FGDs conducted the close sectional study to better understand community perceptions of VAMB. The aim was to explore men’s knowledge, attitudes regarding laws, policies and services addressing GBV. FGDs for both men and women were conducted in the same clusters. The FGD participants were interviewees recruited with the help of community. Male gender discrimination is made possible through many factors including increasingly lack of good will by the government, lack of knowledge of laws and services, poor receptive political environment that in theory protects and promotes the female gender at the expense of the male gender with impunity. There are also gaps in understanding the knowledge, attitudes of public and key decision makers towards the laws, policies, and services that address VAMB. 1. This study serves as a platform to voice the concerns on VAMB prevalence and aims to fill some of these gaps by quantifying the levels and consequences while cataloging men's experiences in seeking help. 2. It also acts as a whistle blower and wishes to raise a red flag on the adverse status of the male gender. 3. It also seeks to partner with government institutions and NGO’s who are like minded in saving the situation by implementing effective programs and service delivery. 4. The study was initially launched in order to generally examine VAMB in Kenya and to take stock while evaluating knowledge and attitudes amongst a wide range of stakeholders regarding policies and services. It is therefore very wrong to brand men as the only perpetrators or the root cause of all disputes of domestic abuse and violence in families.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 It is also a fact that many women go out armed with weapons or sharp objects of aggression against men in their handbags while some have enrolled in unarmed combat like i.e. Karate fighting tactics against male opponents. Women currently are more likely to attack under the slightest excuse and men are often victims who are caught unawares. One core reason why violence against men is widely ignored lies in the notion that battered or abused men are either alcoholics, irresponsible, week, unmanly or even mentally ill which is far from the truth. To some extent it is a fact but only affects a few. However it is unlawful since it does not in any way justify gender or domestic abuse. Legal and diplomatic avenues of solving disputes are the best suited as a firsthand approach to gender and domestic violence. Sometimes it is impossible to ignore the problem and especially when it manifest to threat to life or turns grievous bodily harm, the focus on the root cause tends to shift in favour of women and blamed on man. This narrative is misleading and has led to the basis of selective gender funding consequently dividing and fuelling more violence in families. The government on the other hand overwhelmingly spends on programs that support the female gender at the expense of the male gender and therefore does not address the problem or meet the desired results. MAWE has continuously been carrying out research and analysis of challenges affecting the male gender including the boy child. It is one organization that has consistently addressed the problem through data analysis. It is unfortunate that the male child is currently bearing the blunt of gender inequality and is a victim of circumstances due to non-existent policies on their welfare thereby slowly lagging behind the girl. Cases of boys being raped have short up overwhelmingly countrywide. This crime is prevalent and a disaster that has spread over the rural and urban areas with the government turning a blind eye and blaming it on the same men who commit the crime instead of dealing with perpetrators like normal rapists. Amidst the protest by parents and society, the impact to the survivors of rape is traumatizing and has led to many young boys dropping out of school while others terminate their lives due to its physiological and sociological stigma. The study is keen on providing a framework for action on the pandemic by introducing policies and programs with a goal towards elimination of violence against boys. 1:18 Ethical considerations The study received ethical approval from MAWE leadership. For example, FGD members received training on research ethics. Data collection proceeded only with informed consent of the subjects. Over 200 men refused to provide background information about their wives. Data was collected and stored with no personally identifying information. The information was sent to the main office daily and qualitative interviews were kept under lock and key in the MAWE office. All computer files were password protected to ensure confidentiality. Study participants were given information and access to appropriate counseling interventions if requested. 1:19 Challenges One of the major challenges from respondents was assurance that information submitted was confidential since many men had chosen not to share their marital problems with anyone.
Another challenge was abrupt postponement of appointments with the enumerators which was inconveniencing and a waste of time thus prolonging the result findings. One of the biggest impediments that we came across is that men were reluctant and not willing to share their secrets openly to anyone about their domestic abuse and violence experiences. Battered men fail to report cases due to strong African cultural attachment which forbids a man to declare defeat and also feeling of inferiority complex as many become subjects of mockery and ridicule. The Police and chiefs have not being competent and are not willing to help men victims but instead favor women issues and their complaints. 1:20 Limitations of the study As with any piece of research, there are limitations both to data collection and interpretation. We grouped these into three main areas. 1. This study is limited to VAMB, a sub-category of broader GBV, due to the nature of the sample population and the questions used to elicit the experiences of that sample. 2. The cross-sectional nature of the data limits our ability to establish temporality or causality in many of the observed relationships. 3. Due to the purposive selection of all counties and the complex nature of the sample, the findings cannot reliably be generalized. Although we tried to ensure reliability and validity of responses, ignorance and underreporting of VAMB cannot be ruled out entirely as it may bias results in several directions. 1:21 Geographical characteristics We interviewed over approximately 1,700 men and 300 women across the 10 selected Counties of Kenya. The median age of the men was 35 years. Majority of sampled men were between 18 to 55 years married at the time of the interview. 1:22 Mass media exposure In the present study, exposure to media was assessed by asking men if they listened to the radio, watched television or read newspapers or magazines at least once a week. They were also asked when they watch television or listen to the radio. Exposure to media was highest among literate men living in the urban areas. Media exposure is mostly among the men of between ages 15 to 50 years. The study showed that the media was not impartial on reporting gender violence against males in comparison with females. A lot of emphasis was put on violence against females and girls and sometimes very exaggerated after women rights defenders stand up against the incidence. A majority of cases of violence against males and boys are reported to the media but are not aired due to media discrimination particularly when the reporter or the editor in charge is a female reporting male abuse or violence. Programs that address GBV portray men as perpetrators of violence even when they are victims. A majority of programs and stories aired on TV and radio and newspapers are not gender sensitive and are biased where males are branded potential abusers and criminals before trial.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 The study however showed that the role that media plays as a vital tool in passing the right message on gender matters and successful awareness campaigns cannot be ruled out. This information is useful for program managers and planners to determine which media will be most effective for disseminating information to a targeted gender or audience. Results showed that 32% of men were exposed to at least one type of media, with exposure to radio being the highest 52%. About 30% of men watch television at least thrice a week. Exposure to print media was lower; with only 10% men reporting that they read a newspaper or magazine at least once a week. Only 25% of men were exposed to all three media at least once a week, and 7% of men were not exposed to any of the three media. Media exposure was highly related to both level of education and economic status. 1:23 (a) Mass media exposure (N=2000)
27% reported that they would rely on organizations and 23% would share with friends and 3% would report to the police and while 1% would report to the media. 1:26 Perception of justice FGD participants were asked how difficult it is for men victims to receive justice and there was an impression among men that currently it is easier to seek redress, owing to the awareness campaigns by MAWE and media in combating VAMB. However, men identified common barriers to justice. Lack of support from authorities, illiteracy, lack of knowledge of services, fear of societal and family retribution and corruption:1:27 (b) Support and problem sharing (N=2000)
40% 35%
60%
50%
30% 25% 20%
40% 15% 30%
20%
10% 5% 0%
10%
0%
1:24 Disability status Out of 1,700 men interviewed in this study, 300 women, 2% reported at least one type of disability. Among these disabled men, 38 were physically disabled and 2 were hearing impaired. 1:25 Support from friends and organizations Men were also asked if they are able to get support from friends or organizations. The large majority of men 46% reported that they would rather suffer in silence than share their marital problems with anyone due to stigma.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Chapter 2 Social- Cultural Dimensions 2:1 (c)
Map of Kenya showing the location of the 10 selected Counties 1. Kakamega 2. Homa Bay 3. Kisii 4. Nakuru 5. Kiambu 6. Nairobi 7. Nyeri. 8. Machakos 9. Meru 10. Kilifi
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 2:2 Nairobi County 1 Nairobi is a sprawling metropolis of over 3.2 million people. Majority of people live in squalor and substandard housing estates while it is also a fact that millionaires will also be found in this capital City of Kenya. Crime rate and gender and domestic violence are at an alarming rate where it is the order of the day as men and women compete to make a living. Nairobi County has 17 Constituencies. Nairobi County is one of the 47 Counties of Kenya. The smallest yet most populous of the counties, it is also the capital and largest city of Kenya. Nairobi was founded in 1899 and was handed capital status from Mombasa in 1905. Nairobi is the most populous city in East Africa and the 4th largest city in Africa with an estimated of above 3 million people. Nairobi is presently one of the most prominent cities in Africa both politically and financially and a home to many international companies and organizations.
Most of the upmarket suburbs are situated to the west and northcentral of Nairobi.These include Karen, Langata, Lavington, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Brookside, Spring Valley, Loresho, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Hurlingham, Runda, Kitisuru, Nyari, Kyuna, Lower Kabete, Westlands, and Highridge, although Kangemi, Kawangware, and Dagoretti are lower income areas close to these affluent suburbs. The city's colonial past is commemorated by many English placenames. Most lower-middle and upper middle income neighbourhoods are located in the north-central areas such as Highridge, Parklands, Ngara, Pangani, and areas to the southwest and southeast of the metropolitan area near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The most notable ones include Avenue Park, Fedha, Pipeline, Donholm, Greenfields, Nyayo, Taasia, Baraka, Nairobi West, Madaraka, Siwaka, South B, South C, Mugoya, Riverbank, Hazina, Buru Buru, Uhuru, Harambee Civil Servants', Akiba, Kimathi, Pioneer, Koma Rock to the centre-east and Kasarani to northeast among others.
Overall, Nairobi is an established economic and cultural hub. Nairobi is situated between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa. As Nairobi is adjacent to the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, minor earthquakes and tremors occasionally occur. The Ngong Hills, located to the west of the city, are the most prominent geographical feature of the Nairobi area. Mount Kenya is situated north of Nairobi, and Mount Kilimanjaro is towards the south-east. Nairobi is divided into a series of constituencies with each being represented by members of Parliament. These constituencies are: Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe, Langata, Dagoretti, Westlands, Kasarani, and Embakasi. The main administrative divisions of Nairobi are Central, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Kibera, Makadara, Pumwani, and Westlands.
The lower income estates are located mainly in far eastern Nairobi. These include, Umoja, Kariokor, Dandora, Kariobangi, Kayole, Embakasi, and Huruma. Kitengela suburb, though located further southeast, Ongata Rongai and Kiserian further southwest, and Ngong/Embulbul suburbs also known as 'Diaspora' to the far west are considered part of the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan area. More than 90% of Nairobi residents work within the Nairobi Metropolitan area, in the formal and informal sectors. Many Somali immigrants have also settled in Eastleigh, nicknamed "Little Mogadishu"
2:3 (d) Emotional Abuse -County in order of prevalence
Approximate male population abused within the last six months emotional abuse ages 18 to 60 (regularly)
FGD 8 men 3 women
In-depth interviews with men survivors
Interviews with Stakeholders
Approximate Percent
Approximate male population abused in their life emotional abuse ages 18 to 60 (rare)
500
1
70
7
58%
230,000
115,000
Kiambu
130
1
15
2
55%
120,000
60,000
3
Kakamega
130
1
15
2
43%
98,000
49,000
4
Nakuru
130
1
15
2
42%
84,000
42,000
5
Homa Bay
130
1
15
2
40%
70,000
35,000
6
Meru
130
1
15
2
39%
66,000
33,000
7
Kisii
130
1
15
2
37%
54,000
27,000
8
Kilifi
130
1
15
2
38%
58,000
26,000
9
Machakos
130
1
15
2
30%
40,000
20,000
10
Nyeri
130
1
15
2
26%
26,000
13,000
Total
1,670
110
205
15
806,000
348,000
80,600
34,800
Counties
Cross sectional survey with Respondents
1
Nairobi
2
40.8% average Average per County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 2:7 (f) Gender and Domestic Abuse (Emotional abuse frequency) -County in order of prevalence
Counties
Type of Abuse
Approximate male population abused in their life time emotional abuse ages 18 to 60 (rare)
Approximate male population abused within the last six months emotional abuse ages 18 to 60 (regularly)
1.
Nairobi County
230,000
115,000
2.
Kiambu County
120,000
60,000
2.
Kakamega County
98,000
49,000
4.
Nakuru County
84,000
42,000
5.
HomaBay County
70,000
35,000
6.
Meru County
66,000
33,000
7
Kilifi County
58,000
29,000
8.
Kisii County
54,000
27,000
9.
Machakos County
40,000
20,000
10.
Nyeri County
26,000
13,000
Total Male population of Males abused in the 10 Counties Average male population abused in the 10 Counties Average male population Abused countrywide 2:4 KIAMBU COUNTY 2 Kiambu County is also considered one of the wealthiest counties in Kenya. Kiambu County constitutes twelve constituencies; Gatundu South, Gatundu North, Juja, Thika Town, Ruiru, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kiambaa, Kabete, Kikuyu, Limuru and Lari. Kiambu has a population of about 1,700,000 people. It is a leading innovative commercial hub that shares its borders with five other counties; Nakuru and Kajiado to the West, Murang'a and Nyandarua North and Nairobi South. There are several theories that explain the origin of the name kiambu; one theory suggests that it was derived from a prominent Kikuyu clan known as mbari ya mbuu who used to live next to the current day Kiambu town. Another theory suggests the area used to experience constant showers hence the kikuyu phrase ‘kia mbuu'’ meaning the ‚place of drizzles.‛ Majority of people living in Kiambu County are Christians. Notable among Christian faith are Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostals and Baptists. 2:5 MERU COUNTY 3 Meru County is made up of nine constituencies; Igembe South, Igembe Central, Igembe North, Tigania West, Tigania East, North Imenti, Buuri, Central Imenti and South Imenti. Meru shares it border with five other counties; Isiolo to the North, Nyeri to the South West, Tharaka-Nithi to the South West and Laikipia to the West. The origin of the word 'Meru' is believed to come from the Maasai people who referred to Tigania and Imenti forests as the Mieru forests or simply the Quiet Forests. Maasais are also believed to have used the term Mieru to name any tribe which could not understand their Maa language. Meru County is mainly a Christian stronghold.
846,000 84,600 3,976,200
423,000 42,300 1,988,100
Although there are Catholics, Presbyterian and Anglican faithful’s, the Methodist church commands the largest following in this region, with Muslims and Hindus most of whom live around Meru town comprising the smallest religious groups. Culturally, the Ameru believed in an ancestral god called Murungu or Arega Kuthera. There was deep reverence for the spirit of the living dead. Ameru believed in offering sacrifices to their dead ancestors. The divine leader of the Ameru was called the Mugwe. These were respected persons who made sacrifices and performed healing on behalf of the tribe. However, with the arrival of Christianity, the cultural rites and functions have become obsolete. The Meru tribe or Merus is a Bantu ethnic group. They reside on Mount Kenya's agriculturally rich northeastern slopes, in Kenya's Eastern Province. A small number of residents subscribe to different faiths including Islam and Hinduism. English language is primarily used for daily interaction in the education, business and social sector. The Kikuyu people speak Gikuyu; a language widely spoken across the country even in towns where a majority of people speak Kiswahili. The Agikuyu people living in Kiambu originally believed in their ancestral god;ngai, who was thought to live on top of mount Kenya. Locals are believed to have fought and intermarried with the Maasai from neighboring Kajiado. In modern day, most Kikuyus have abandoned their traditional beliefs for Christianity. It neighbors Nairobi County and hence acts as a satellite County thus shares much of its woes. However, there is a cultural trait peculiar to this place. Some of its inhabitants are known to have certain negative aspects that do not endear them much to other areas particularly in regard to women. It is common knowledge that majority of women in this place are money driven that they will stop at nothing to make a fast buck.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 No wonder you find relatively young widows in early 25’s and 35’s. The name Meru refers to both the people and the location. Merus are primarily agrarian, raising a few domestic animals. Male circumcision is still one of the most significant rituals in Meru culture. This rite of passage transforms a young man into an adult, giving him the right to marry, acquire wealth and property, and make independent decisions. Just like other Bantus, a bride price in the form of cows, goats and sheep is paid by the groom's family to the bride's before marriage.
2:8 HOMA BAY COUNTY 4 Homa Bay County has a population of 963,794 according to the 2009 National Census. It is located about 420km from Nairobi. Homa Bay borders five counties; Migori to the south, Kisii and Nyamira to the east, and Kericho and Kisumu to the north east. The county also borders Lake Victoria to the north and west. The county was originally known as Chich Owuno (Onuno's market) but it was renamed to Homa Bay by colonialists in 1925 because it was overlooking the then Huma Hills in Karachuonyo. Homa Bay County constitutes eight constituencies: Mbita, Ndhiwa, Homabay Town, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kabondo, Kasipul and Suba. The Luo and Abasuba people are the dominant communities in Homa Bay, making at least 95% of the county’s population.
A man is considered the head of the household and has defined roles and duties. Women tend to the farms and raise the children. Traditionally, Merus had a strong clan (family) system that controlled the basic operations of all families within the clan. Although the clan system has nearly vanished, the extended family still retains a very powerful influence on the lives of individual family members.
The Luo community speaks in Dholuo language. Abasuba speak in Suba language, although many Subas speak in Dholuo language due to their interaction with the Luo people. Because of proximity to Lake Victoria, the Luo and Abasuba are primarily fishermen and small-scale farmers growing maize, sugar cane, millet, potatoes and vegetables. The fish caught in the lake is consumed locally with the surplus being sold in the neighboring towns. Some fish from the lake is also exported to international markets of Europe and other countries. Other communities such as Kisii, Teso, Banyore, Bukusu and Samia are also present in Homa Bay County.
The entire family is tasked with making important life decisions on behalf of each family member, such as during marriage ceremonies. The Meru tribe also has a strong educational foundation provided by Christian mission schools and is among the most influential ethnic groups in Kenya. The main education institutions were started by the Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches who settled in the district in the early years.
2:6 (e) Economic and Physical Abuse -County in order of prevalence Approximately half of these men are regularly abused economically and physically within the last six months ages 18-60 (regularly)
Counties
Cross sectional survey with Respondents
FGD 8 men 3 women
In-depth interviews with men survivors
Interviews with Stakeholder s
Approxim ate Percent
Approximate male population abused economically and physically in their life time Ages 18-60 (rare)
1
Nairobi
500
1
70
7
38%
150,000
75,000
2
Kiambu
130
1
15
2
35%
74,000
37,000
3
Nakuru
130
1
15
2
31%
68,000
34,000
4
Meru
130
1
15
2
30%
52,000
26,000
5
Nyeri
130
1
15
2
29%
30,000
15,000
6
Kakamega
130
1
15
2
28%
28,000
14,000
7
Homa Bay
130
1
15
2
14%
24,000
12,000
8
Kisii
130
1
15
2
12%
18,000
9,000
9
Kilifi
130
1
15
2
11%
16,000
8,000
1 0
Machakos
130
1
15
2
8%
12,000
6,000
Total
1,670
110
205
15
472,000
236,000
47,200
23,600
23.6% average Average per County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 These groups of people are in the county as tenant fishermen or businesspeople. The majority of people here are Christians. There is a small population of Muslims especially in the urban centres. However, many rural residents still adhere to their traditional cultural customs such as the belief in a god called Jwok - the creator of heaven and earth - and the culture of wife inheritance. Traditionally Luos did not circumcise their males as an initiation rite. Instead, boys used to have their lower front teeth removed. But modern culture has diminished some of these practices and male circumcision has taken root among the Luos, which is also seen as a means to curb the spread of HIV and Aids. The custom of wife inheritance, which allows a man's relatives to inherit his wife in case of his death, has also faded over time. The Luo people have a rich music heritage and are renowned for their benga music - an entertaining style in which songs in English, Swahili or Dholuo are played alongside an eight-string lyre called nyatiti. Fishing and agriculture are the main economic activities in Homa Bay County. They produce some of the best fish in the world. Fishing is practiced mainly by people living near the shores of Lake Victoria. Fish caught in the lake include Tilapia and Nile Perch, which is consumed locally, sold to other towns such as Kisumu and Nairobi and exported worldwide. Europe is a major consumer of Nile Perch from Lake Victoria. Areas around Kasipul Kabondo, Rangwe and Ndhiwa are very fertile; producing bounty harvests of cotton, maize, sugar cane, cassava, banana, pineapples, sorghum, millet, sunflower, sorghum, ground nuts and potatoes. Sugar cane grown in the county is crushed at the Sony Sugar factory in Awendo, and construction is currently under way for a sugar factory in Ndhiwa. Tourism is also a major income-earner for Homa Bay, with tourist attraction sites such as Ruma National Park and Mfangano Island drawing thousands of visitors to the county. 2:10 KILIFI COUNTY 5 Kilifi County is home to 1,109,735 people according to the 2009 Census. Kilifi shares it borders with four other counties; Mombasa and Kwale to the south, Tana River to the north, and Taita Taveta to the west. Kilifi County has seven constituencies, Kilifi North, Kilifi South, Kaloleni, Rabai, Ganze, Malindi and Magarini. The main communities living in Kilifi County include Mijikenda, Swahili, Bajuni, Indians, Arabs and European settlers. Majority of people living in Kilifi County are either Muslims or Christians, although the county has several smaller religious communities such as the Africa Indigenous Religion and Hindu. Kiswahili and Mijikenda language are widely spoken across the county. The Mijikenda (nine cities) is a wider grouping that comprises nine sub-tribes; Giriama, Digo, Chonyi, Kamabe, Jibana, Kauma, Duruma, Rabai and Ribe. All of these sub-groups speak the Mijikenda language. Traditionally, the Mijikenda believed in a supreme god, Mulungu. The community has a sacred forest - the Kaya - which is used by the elders as a place of prayer to Mulungu. The Kaya forest was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in August 2008. Located about 60km north of Mombasa, Kilifi town is the main stop on the Mombasa-Malindi highway. The town is set on Kilifi Creek between Mombasa and Malindi, which is about 52km away. Other urban centres in Kilifi County include Mtwapa, Mariakani, Watamu, Majengo, Mazeras and Magarini. Dairy and beef farming is also practised, accounting to a significant quantity of beef and milk consumed in the county and beyond.
Buzeki Dairy produces the popular Molo Milk brand, has a milk processing plant in Kilifi Plantations. Small-scale farmers also keep sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs and bees.It lies within the coastal lowland, which rises gradually from the sea level in the east above sea level. It is largely cosmopolitan, being inhabited by a host of Kenyan mainland communities co-existing with both the indigenous coastal people like the Mijikenda groups, Akamba, Afro-Asians and people of Arabic origins. The most popular religion in the county is Islam. Most of the residents speak Kiswahili language and practice the Swahili culture. Among residents of Arabic descent, social relationships are mainly governed by sharia norms; African descents are governed by a mix of Arabic-African cultural. 1:11 MACHAKOS COUNTY 6 The county has eight constituencies: Masinga Constituency, Yatta Constituency, Kangundo Constituency, Matungulu Constituency, Kathiani Constituency, Mavoko Constituency, Machakos Town Constituency and Mwala Constituency. Machakos County is a county of Kenya. Its capital is Machakos. Its largest town is Machakos, the country's first administrative headquarters. The county has a population of 1,098,584.[1] The county borders Nairobi and Kiambu counties to the West, Embu to the North, Kitui to the East, Makueni to the South, Kajiado to the South West, and Muranga and Kirinyaga to North West. Machakos has a population of about 1, 150,000 inhabitants. Kambas were involved in the long distance trade during the pre-colonial period. In the mid-eighteenth century, a large number of Akamba pastoral groups moved eastwards towards the Tsavo and Kibwezi areas along the coast. This migration was the result of extensive drought and a lack of pasture for their cattle. The Kambas settled in the Mariakani, Kisauni and Kinango areas of the coast of Kenya, creating the beginnings of urban settlement. They still reside in large numbers in these towns, and have become absorbed into the cultural, economic and political life of the modern-day. Many Kamba people are Christians; however, some still practice the old traditional beliefs. The Akamba people believe in a monotheistic, invisible and transcendental god, Ngai or Mulungu, who lives in the sky (yayayani). This god is also referred to as Asa or Father. 2:12 NYERI COUNTY 7 Nyeri County is a town situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya. It is the county headquarters of Nyeri County. The county is located on the southwest of Mount Kenya. Local people in this area are predominantly of the Kikuyu ethnicity. Nyeri has a total population of about 700,000 according to 2009 census. Nyeri County has a total of six constituencies named Nyeri Town, Othaya, Tetu, Kieni, Mathira and Mukurwe-ini. It shares its borders with five other counties; Kirinyaga to the east, Nyandarua to the west, Muranga to the south, Laikipia to the north and Meru to the north east. The name Nyeri is derived from the Maasai word nyiro, meaning red. The Maasai people, who once lived in the county, called the area nyiro - after its red volcanic soil. The name was later changed to Nyeri by white settler farmers. Majority of the people living in Nyeri County are Kikuyus - the most populous tribe in Kenya at 22% of the country's population. Most Kikuyus living here are predominantly farmers growing tea and coffee as cash crops alongside food crops such as maize, beans, assorted vegetables and sweet potatoes.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 2:13 (h) Gender and Domestic Abuse (Combined forms of abuse) -County in order of prevalence
Counties
1.
2.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7
8.
9.
10.
Type of Abuse
Average males who have experienced abuse emotionally/ economically/ physically in their lifetime 18 to 60 (rare)
Average males abused emotionally/ economically/ physically within the last six months (regularly)
Emotional abuse
230,000
115,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
123,000
61,500
Nairobi County
353,000
176,500
Emotional abuse
120,000
60,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
56,000
28,000
Kiambu County
176,500
88,000
Emotional abuse
98,000
49,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
28,000
14,000
Kakamega County
126,000
63,000
Emotional abuse
84,000
42,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
34,000
17,000
Nakuru County
118,000
59,000
Emotional abuse
70,000
35,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
39,000
19,500
Homa Bay County
109,000
44,500
Emotional abuse
66,000
33,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
40,000
20,000
Meru County
106,000
53,000
Emotional abuse
58,000
26,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
16,000
8,000
Kilifi County
83,000
41,500
Emotional abuse
54,000
27,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
18,000
9,000
Kisii County
72,000
36,000
Emotional abuse
40,000
20,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
12,000
6,000
Machakos County
52,000
26,000
Emotional abuse
26,000
13,000
Economic/ Physical abuse
10,000
5,000
Nyeri County
36,000
18,000
Total Male population of Males abused in the 10 Counties Average male population abused in the 10 Counties Average male population Abused countrywide
1,231,000
123,100
615,500
61,550
Page | 20 5,785,700
2,892,850
Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Other communities living in the county include Luo, Meru, Kamba, Embu, Borana and Somali who mostly do their own businesses or employed by the government. Majority of people living in Nyeri County are Christians. Notable among Christian faith are the Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Anglican Pentecostals and Akorino denominations. There’s a small number residents, mainly found in major towns, who prophesy to the Muslim and Hindu religions. English language is primarily used in the education system and in the employment sector. Gikuyus traditionally believed in a single god, called ngai (the provider), living at the top of Mount Kenya. However, most Kikuyus have abandoned their traditional beliefs for Christianity. Nestling between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare ranges, agriculture is the main economic activity in Nyeri. The county is renowned for its high production of tea and coffee, which are grown mainly for export. These crops earn farmers billions of shillings every year. In 2012, Nyeri farmers earned Sh2.58 billion in tea bonus payments. Many other residents are engaged in retail business across the main towns and in open-air markets selling agricultural produce. Nyeri is also renowned for horticultural farming. Large scale flower farms in the county include Mweiga Blooms in Kieni and Wilmar Flowers in Sagana area. Green house farming is also becoming popular among small scale vegetable farmers, where they engage in growing tomatoes, courgettes, green pepper, strawberry and capsicum among others. Other agricultural activities which act as a source of income include dairy farming and fish keeping in Tetu, Aguthi, and Chinga Dam areas. Dairy farming is mostly practised on a small scale basis mainly at homes. There is Trout rearing around the base of Mt. Kenya, and along the Chania and Gura rivers. Nyeri County has a number of light industries which provide employment opportunities and markets for local produce. Notable factories include Maisha Flour Millers, Brookside Dairy, Mount Kenya Bottlers and Highlands Mineral Water. There are six tea factories in Nyeri County; Kagochi, Chinga, Gathuthi, Gitugi, Iria-ini and Ragati, providing a market and employment to the locals. Today, most Kikuyus are Christians, however, like the Maasai and Kamba tribes, Kikuyus traditionally worshipped a single god, Ngai, who was known as the provider and lived at the top of the mountain. Kikuyus believed it was their traditional god who started the Kikuyu tribe by putting on earth a man and woman named Kikuyu and Mumbi. The couple had nine daughters who later married and brought the Kikuyu tribe to life. A majority of the Agikuyu are found in Nairobi and Kenya's Central Province. Many have also migrated to other Kenyan towns and cities where they're involved in small business ventures, while others work in other areas. A good number of Kikuyus have moved onto the west side of the Rift Valley, into what was traditionally Kalenjin territory. There they work as large-scale farmers growing major cash crops of tea and coffee. Due to their history of economic success, the majority of Kikuyus are well educated. Their ability to adapt to new realities has resulted in the Kikuyu, including those who live in the rural areas, adopting many aspects of modern culture. 2:14 NAKURU COUNTY 8 Nakuru has a population of about 1,700,000 according to 2009 census. Nakuru County constitutes eleven constituencies: Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West, Bahati, Rongai, Subukia, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Gilgil, Naivasha, Njoro and Molo. Nakuru borders seven counties; Laikipia to the north east, Kericho to the west, Narok to the south west, Kajiado to the south, Baringo to the north, Nyandarua to the east and Bomet to the west.
It borders seven counties; Samburu and Laikipia to the east, Turkana to the north and north east, Nakuru to the south, Elgeyo Marakwet to the west, West Pokot to to the north west and Kericho and Uasin Gishu to the south west. The name Baringo is derived from the word mparingo which means 'lake' in the language of Njemps who live in the areas' south and south-east of the lake. Baringo County constitutes five constituencies: Tiaty, Baringo North, Baringo Central, Baringo South, Mogotio and Eldama Ravine. Most people are Christians, although there are a small number of residents who still adhere to traditional beliefs. The people of Baringo speak the Kalenjin language, specifically Tugen. Most speak Kiswahili and English too. Traditionally, the people of Baringo believed in a god Asis, who is represented in the form of the sun. But today, most Kalenjins have abandoned their traditional beliefs for Christianity. Popular Christian denominations in Baringo include the African Inland Church (AIC), Roman Catholic and the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK). Livestock, especially cattle, is an important feature of the Baringo culture. It is a major source of wealth and serves as a form of traditional currency used to negotiate for wives and dowry payment. As such, it is common for Pokots and other ethnic groups to raid their neighboring communities - especially the Turkana - to enlarge their herds. Among the Kalenjins, men are traditionally responsible for looking after livestock and protecting their family from external aggressors. Women are tasked with taking care of children, working in the farm and performing domestic duties such as cooking and fetching water. Children usually look after goats and sheep, but in the modern lifestyle, most attend school and have attained formal education. Agriculture is the backbone of the Baringo County economy. In the highlands cash crop farming of coffee and cotton the main economic activity, although food crops such as maize and beans are also grown in the area. In the lowlands livestock keeping is carried out to supplement crops farming. Animals kept here include cattle, goats, sheep and camels. Bee keeping and Aloe Vera plant cultivation are the emerging economic activities in Baringo. These products are processed locally, with the aloe vera factory in Koriema being the only aloe vera processing factory in Kenya. Because of the many tourist attractions located within the county, tourism is a major income generating activity in Baringo. Attractions such as Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria draw many domestic and foreign tourists thereby earning the county good revenue. Nakuru borders seven counties; Laikipia to the north east, Kericho to the west, Narok to the south west, Kajiado to the south, Baringo to the north, Nyandarua to the east and Bomet to the west. The name Nakuru means 'a dusty place' in the Maasai language - in reference to frequent whirlwinds that engulf the area with clouds of dust. Nakuru County constitutes eleven constituencies: Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West, Bahati, Rongai, Subukia, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Gilgil, Naivasha, Njoro and Molo. Majority of people living in Nakuru County are Christians, with a small number of Muslims and Hindus being present in major towns. The Kikuyu people speak Gikuyu; a language widely spoken across the country even in major towns where a majority of people speak Kiswahili. On the other hand, Kalenjin community comprises several sub-tribes; Tugen, Nandi, Pokot, Keiyo, Kipsigis, Sabaot, Terik and Marakwet - all speaking in Kalenjin language. Many Kikuyus and Kalenjins also speak Kiswahili and English and are among the most educated ethnic groups in Kenya.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Traditionally Kikuyus believed in a single god, called Ngai (the provider), living at the top of Mount Kenya, while the Kalenjins believed in a supreme god, Asis, who is represented in the form of the sun. The two communities have abandoned their traditional beliefs for Christianity. Christian denominations in Nakuru County include the African Inland Church (AIC), Roman Catholic, the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). The name Nakuru means 'a dusty place' in the Maasai language in reference to frequent whirlwinds that engulf the area with clouds of dust. Agriculture is the mainstay of Nakuru's economy. The county's weather is conducive for large-scale farming, horticulture and dairy farming. Food crops grown in Nakuru include maize, wheat, beans, peas, cabbages, tomatoes, kales and carrots. The produce is consumed locally and sold to consumers in neighboring towns and cities. Some of the largest flower farms in the county include Homegrown, Oserian, Karuturi and Preesman. The bulk of flowers grown in these farms are mainly exported to Holland, UK and Germany. Tourism is a major economic activity in Nakuru thanks to the numerous tourist attractions such as craters, lakes, wildlife and birds. There are numerous manufacturing industries in Nakuru town and urban centres, including wheat and maize flour processing plants. 2:15 KISII COUNTY 9 Kisii County host 1,200,000 million people. Kisii County is a county in the former Nyanza Province in southwestern Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Kisii. The county is inhabited mostly by the Gusii people. Due to civilization, education and economic power, the Kisii people have undergone drastic cultural changes. Kisii was one of the few Kenyan tribes that practiced mandatory female circumcision. Although this ritual has since been outlawed, it still persists but is not as frequent as it was in the past. Kisii boys continue to be initiated into adulthood and into the Gusii as a group by circumcision. 80 percent of the Kisii are Christians, with a few still practicing their traditional religion. Gusii believed in a supreme god called Engoro, whom they believed created the universe and was the source of all life. Death was considered an "unnatural" event brought on by witchcraft. Kisiis believed in medicine men and the spirits of their ancestors. Today, witchcraft is still feared in Kisii communities. Their home area is sandwiched between the Luo and Luhya tribes. Their highlands are also one of the most densely populated and fertile areas of Kenya. The Kisiis constitute the sixth largest ethnic group, comprising about seven percent of the national population. Kisii, which is their ethnic language, is also traditionally known as Ekegusii. Their closest tribe among the Bantus is the Meru tribe, almost similar language and culture. Today, more than 80 percent of the Kisii are Christians, with a few still practicing their traditional religion. Gusii believed in a supreme god called Engoro, whom they believed created the universe and was the source of all life. Death was considered an "unnatural" event brought on by witchcraft. Kisiis believed in medicine men and the spirits of their ancestors. Today, witchcraft is still feared in Kisii communities. It shares common borders with Nyamira County to the North East, Narok County to the South and Homabay and Migori Counties to the West. 2:16 KAKAMEGA COUNTY 10 Kakamega County, which is located in the former Western Province, is the second most populous county in Kenya after Nairobi with a population of about 1.7 million people. Kakamega County is divided into 12 constituencies; namely Mumias East, Mumias West, Shinyalu,
Khwisero, Ikolomani, Butere, Matungu, Navakholo, Lurambi, Malava, Likuyani and Lugari. Kakamega County is in the West and situated west of the Eastern Rift Valley, the county is inhabited mainly by the Luhya people. It borders Nandi and Uasin Gishu to the east, Busia to the west, Vihiga to the south, Bungoma to the north, Siaya to the south-west and Trans Nzoia to the north east. Kakamega was the scene of the gold rush of the late 1920s when the lure of golden wealth prompted British miners to establish a gold mining centre in Rosterman village. The deposits, however, could not sustain commercial mining and the mines were closed in 1930. Kakamega is renowned nationally for bullfighting events that are held annually in Ikolomani, Malinya and Sigalagala areas of the county. The events see trained bulls engaging in fierce battle as locals blow horns to advance the fights that last about 30 minutes. The owners of the champion bulls win cash prizes. Today, most people from the Luhya tribe are Christians; however, it is common to find some Luhyas mixing Christianity with aspects of African traditional religion. For example, Dini ya Msambwa, a religion whose adherents are mostly Luhyas, uses portions of the bible for its doctrine while practicing traditional witchcraft at the same time. God, in Luhya language, is Nyasaye, a name borrowed from their Nilotic Luo neighbors. A majority of Luhyas (about 90%) are Christians who believe in Nyasaye (The Almighty God) and ordinarily many Luhyas mix Christianity with features of traditional religion. For instance, adherents of Dini ya Msambwa, a popular religious sect in Kakamega, follow some biblical teachings while practising witchcraft. Other popular Christian denominations in Kakamega County include the Friends Church, Pentecostal Church, AIC, Baptist Church and the Roman Catholic Church. There is sizeable community of Muslims especially within Kakamega and Mumias towns. Traditionally, Luhya men were polygamous with men earning respect depending on the number of women they had married. This is because paying dowry for several wives required a man to be wealthy. Polygamy is quickly being abandoned due to the high cost of living and as an attempt to curb the spread of HIV/Aids. Male circumcision, which marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, is an important ritual among the Luhya community. Traditional circumcision ceremonies are held every August and December. Luhyas are great fans of sports, especially football and traditional bullfighting. Economic Activities Agriculture is the main economic activity in Kakamega County. Large scale sugar farming, especially in the areas around Mumias, makes the county the headquarters of Kenya's largest sugar production company ” Mumias Sugar Company. Small-scale farming is also practised widely in Kakamega with farmers growing maize, beans, millet, sunflower, soya beans, groundnuts, cassava and other crops. Kakamega residents are exploring emerging opportunities in fishing and dairy/beef farming. The county government has established a Sh80 million fish processing plant as part of its attempt to encourage fishing. Thanks to the rising population growth in the county's urban centres, the demand for milk and meat has risen exponentially. This has seen dairy and beef farmers earning some decent profits. Kakamega has several healthcare facilities spread across the county to serve the local population.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Chapter 3 Facts Sheets Key Facts and Recommendations
3:1 Facts Sheet (1) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45.
Key Facts about men
65% male population between 18-60 years experienced violence at some time in life equivalent to 5.8 million. 50% of them experienced violence regularly in the last six months equivalent to 2.9 million. 7 out of 10 men suffer domestic abuse and violence in their lifetime. 3 out of 10 men suffer domestic abuse and violence regularly. Males below ages 38 years are prone to domestic abuse and violence. 6 males commit suicide daily equivalent to over 2,000 annually due to domestic abuse and violence related issues. 8 out of 10 killings of married men are wife oriented. 200 male’s loss their jobs on a daily basis due to domestic violence and abuse matters. 65% of the male population with long term illness or disability suffers domestic abuse and violence regularly. 23 men’s genitals were chopped off by women after a domestic quarrel in the last one year. 319 cases were reported by January 2017 up from 296 reported in January 2016 countrywide. The study showed that 90% of men do not report abuse due to stigma and mortification. The study showed that the Constitution of Kenya is a Goddess since it is biased to the male gender. In 10 couples 2 are divorced, 2 temporary separated, 2 permanently separated, 2 bachelors/spinsters, only 2 stable. 80% of men don’t know how their employed wives spend their money since the husband foots about all family bills. 60% of married men interviewed expressed that they had lost faith and trust in their wives and women. 70% newlywed is after wealth and separate after siring, the child is used as bait for alimony and property division. The study showed that 9 out of 10 married couples have never used a condom in their marriage. 8 out of 10 men were not willing to marry a woman with a male boy but had no problem marring a woman with a girl. The study showed that a majority of men in the work place have low self-esteem compared with women. The study showed that 9 out of 10 married couples dated for less than one year before marriage. The study showed that 80% of married men married women of the age 20 and 23 years. The study showed that married men are more honest than their spouse. The study showed 99% of male population have a loan or credit facility due to financial constraints. The study showed that 70% of women exploit men and use sex as an exchange tool for money, gift and pledges. 8% of the total married males in the civil service do not receive salary due to alimony attachments. The study showed that 9 out of 10 career women are not married and have 1 or not more than two 2 children. The study showed that the number of women who abuse alcohol is equal with the number of men today. 30% of women used their husband’s I’d copy and family property for government loan without his consent. 9 out of 10 men said vasectomy is similar to grievous Male Genital Mutilation [MGM] against men in the disguise of family planning and one cannot sire a child for life even after a case of separation, divorce or natural disaster. Some men jailed in prisons for rapes, defilement, sexual offences and assaults were incriminated by the spouses. 90% MGM survivors, infected with jiggers and physically abused were the worst hit by social exclusion as they were denied access to health services, public and places of worship as they were considered a disgrace to the society. The study showed that women adamantly refuse to pay alimony to fathers living with their children. The study showed that 8 out of 10 married men have not completed paying dowry to parents of their wives. 80% of women inter- married with other communities are from the Kikuyu tribe. Many women earned 40% others 80% more than men in the same job group as they have more negotiating powers. Some male chiefs and their assistants were reported to collude with women to evict men in their matrimonial homes. The study showed that some male chiefs and their assistants were reported to commit adultery with men’s wives. 6 out of 10 men are sexual harassed at the work place where women dress skimpily, seduce men into sex for money. 7 out of 10 men are polygamists where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse from the first wife. The study showed that the first wife was more violent and abusive than the other wives. The study showed that 7 out of 10 men drink alcohol due to stress and nagging by their wives. Women associated with witchcraft were religious and from women group who recruit innocent newlywed. 8 out of 10 women who practice witchcraft carry weird substances in handbags i.e. alive or dead creatures like lizards or snakes, dangerous chemicals and weapons of aggression against their husbands. 95% of street boys and girls and prostitutes are products of broken homes as a result of domestic violence and abuse.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
3:2 Facts Sheet (2) Key Facts about Boys 1. 200 boys are raped or defiled daily countrywide and only less than 10 cases are reported. 2. 2 raped or defiled boy’s dropout of school daily due to stigma and threats by the perpetrators. 3. A majority of rapists are between 15 to 25 years, particularly 26 to 60 years who take advantage of innocent boys. 4. Nairobi, Kilifi and Kiambu Counties were leading in rapes and defilements of boys. 5. The study showed that most of the bullying in boy’s schools often leads to rape but survivors suffer in silence. 6. Rape against boys in schools, colleges, remand homes and prisons is higher than rape against girls and women. 7. 500,000 boys are dropouts and neglected countrywide either in menial jobs or living in the streets. 8. The study showed that over 50% boys in the arid and semi-arid areas have never enrolled in school and are livestock herders while most of them have been taught to handle weapons of war and engage in cattle rustling. 9. The study showed that quota system of education deters boys from accessing equal education opportunities. 10. Results of neglecting the boy are evident i.e. drugs, alcohol abuse, radicalization and gangs recruitment. 11. 300 boys are infected with HIV/AIDS while others end up with circumcision deformities due to uncontrolled circumcision ceremonies and festivals that put the boys to risk annually. 12. It showed that been a prefect in secondary school is a risky affair since 9 out of 10 receive death threats regularly. 13. Child labor, child trafficking and mortality rate of the boy child is higher than that of the girl. 14. Rape is rampant in boy’s boarding schools in comparison with girl’s schools where no case was reported. 15. The study showed that 99% of street children are males below 18 years countrywide. 16. 20% underage boys in juvenile homes are convicted of sexual relationship with girls between 14 and 18 years. 17. 3 out of 10 boys’ in secondary schools have been victims of rape by fellow boys. 18. 6 out of 10 boys in secondary schools abuse alcohol and smoke cigarettes. 19. 4 out of 10 boys in secondary schools smoke Bhangi (Marijuana), chew Miraa and kuber. 20. 9 out of 10 students watch pornography regularly in and out of school while some organize orgies during holidays. 21. Majority of prefects are awarded special privileges i.e. uniform, food, freedom to casual clothes and outings. 22. Some prefects in secondary schools own phones which they use to communicate with the teachers and outsiders. 23. 4 out of 10 prefects are drugs traffickers and have freedom to walk in and out of school without been searched. 24. Teachers are compromised by students and particularly prefects after been caught with cigarettes, bhang or alcohol since they have a lot of money which they source from students who bribe and buy drugs from them. 25. The study showed that cases of some teachers collaborating with prefects to sell drugs were reported. 26. It showed that the rampant schools arsons that are reported were perpetrated by teachers in cohorts with prefects. 27. Many students abuse drugs, alcohol or bhang 10 times more during holidays due to freedom and easy access. 28. The study showed that 8 out of 10 boys were note confident to talk to a girl due to inferiority complex 29. Day schools are prone to abusing and accessing drugs, alcohol and bhang than boys in boarding schools. 30. Cases of student torching prefect’s cubicles were reported where some had been burnt to death due to hatred. 31. The study showed that 9 out of 10 secondary school students are sexually active where boys use condom as a common HIV/AIDS prevention measure while girls use Post 2 pills as a common pregnancy deterrent. 32. 60% of boys are abused in learning institutions including universities are sexually and insulted with impunity by girls. 33. The study showed that 7 out of 10 parents preferred educating the girl above O level than the boy. 34. Male children dropouts at any given time stand at about 500,000 countrywide and are a time bomb. 35. The study revealed that there are no laws or policies that address abuse of Miraa by the under age. 36. 60% of boys are brought up by single mothers thus emulate artificial lifestyles and feminism behaviors. 37. Many boys fear girls and suffer from inferiority complex due of over protection of girls, threats, by tutors and parents. 38. Majority boys undergo torture wearing shorts and expressed discomfort in cold seasons and when sited amongst girls. 39. Most of the boys in primary schools don’t have underwear which affects their learning motivation. 40. Corporal punishment is rampant in boys’ schools reports of hands, heads, buttocks and back injuries after a merciless encounter with a teacher and mandated prefects was noted. 41. It was revealed that cases of boys been bullied and forced to sleep at night in the toilets were the norm in all schools. 42. Schools during enrollment force boys to take allegiance oath while they kneel down while weird and strange red liquid is poured on their head by prefects as a sign of keeping the happenings of the school secrets whatsoever. 43. Out of 10 boarding schools 7 are girl’s school; this trend by the government to build more girls boarding schools and transform mixed day schools to girls is a disadvantage to the boys and has resulted to unfair gender educational opportunities. 44. Bullying is not only practiced in schools but also extended at home during holidays where boys reported been abused by students of other schools and threatened with death in case of reporting to parents. 45. Cases of some prefects selling drugs in cohorts with some teachers were rampant where the proceeds were shared. 46. Most of the bullying happens during opening days where in most of the schools, students are forced by prefects in cohorts with some teachers to pay (toll) of between Kshs50 to as high as Kshs300 to their prefects who share with some teachers.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
3:3 Facts Sheet (3) Other Key Facts about men and boys 1. The leading county in emotional abuse among the 10 selected counties was 1. Nairobi 2. Kiambu 3. Kakamega 4. Nakuru 5. Homa Bay 6. Meru 7.Kilifi 8. Kisii 9. Machakos with Nyeri County number 10. 2. The leading county in economical and physical abuse among the 10 selected counties was 1. Nairobi 2. Kiambu 3. Meru 4. Homa Bay 5. Nakuru 6. Kakamega 7.Kilifi 8. Kisii 9. Machakos with Nyeri County number 10. 3:4 Dropout rate in order of prevalence 1. An estimated 500,000 boys are dropouts and others survive in major towns countrywide in the last one year 2. Nairobi County at 10.5% with over 35,000 boys. 3. Kilifi County at 9.8% with over 13,500 boys 4. Nakuru County at 8.9% with over 12,500 boys 5. Meru County at 8.2% with about 11,500 boys 6. Homa Bay County 7.5% with about 11,000 boys 7. Kiambu County 6.3% with about 10,500 boys 8. Kisii County 5.8% with over 9,000 boys 9. Machakos County 5.2 % with over 8,000 boys 10. Kakamega County 4.8% with over 7,500 boys 11. Nyeri County 4.2% with over 4,000 boys 3:5 Rapes and defilements in order of prevalence 1. An estimated 73,000 boys countrywide were raped and defiled during the last one year. 2. Nairobi with an average of 4,400 boys 3. Kilifi County has an average of 2,200 boys 4. Kiambu County has an average of 1,800 boys 5. Meru County has an average of 1,600 boys 6. Homa Bay County has an average of 1,400 boys 7. Nakuru County has an average of 1,200 boys 8. Kisii County has an average of 1,000 boys 9. Machakos County has an average of 800 boys 10. Kakamega County has an average of 600 boys 11. Nyeri County has an average of 400 boys 3:6 Boda boda key facts 1. 2 out of 10 boda boda riders are boys below 18 years and operate in rural areas where there is no police traffic. 2. 9 out of 10 people interviewed had a boda boda relative accident survivor who was left physically disabled. 3. The study revealed that a majority of casualties were male youths of between ages 15 to 24 years. 4. 3 out of 10 people interviewed had a relative or family member who had died after a boda boda accident. 5. 90% boda boda riders have body marks and motor bikes have dents as a result of regular accidents. 6. 50% of the physically challenged people are in that state as a result of a boda boda accident. 7. 2 out of 10 boda boda riders are criminals who terrorize residents at night due to fast mobility. 8. 90% of boda boda riders are victims of sexual advances and harassment from female passengers due to the seating of passengers who support themselves by encircling the waist of raiders sometimes leading to avoidable accidents. 9. Boda boda transport introduction came with increased domestic violence and infidelity to unprecedented levels. 10. It noted that most boda boda’s break traffic laws with impunity and carry between 2 to 5 excess passengers. 11. It faulted statistics by Transport Safety Authority (TSA) are by far underestimated since most of the accidents are not reported at the police station due to lack of road licenses while majority are slightly injured contrary to TSA. 12. It estimated fatalities at 1000 cyclist/passengers, 2000 seriously injured, 3000 slightly injured in 2016 countrywide. 13. The study estimated accidents projections caused by boda boda’s in 10 years will be disastrous with the figures tripling since more and more motor bikes are been imported at the expenses of people’s lives. 14. The study showed that survivors of road accidents are forgotten by the government and proposed the creation of Road Accidents Survivors Fund (RASF) and also register all road accidents survivors in order to empower them with income generating activities and offset hospital bills which are very high, it is a fact that many road accident victims end up selling properties, thus are reduced to paupers and potential bachelors and spinsters.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
3:7 Facts Sheet (4) Key Recommendations for the male gender 1. UN is biased on violence against men and boys and should redefine the words ‚Rape‛, ‚Sexual Intercourse‛ and ‚Domestic Violence‛ to suit and be in tandem with violence against the male gender due to the following reasons:a) Sexual Intercourse is defined as ‚penetration of the penis into the vagina until orgasm‛ meaning that ‚penetration into the anus of a man is not addressed as intercourse.‛ b) Rape is defined as ‚the crime of forcing a person to submit to sexual intercourse against his or her will.‛ In this case ‚forcing a person to submit to sexual intercourse with another man is not addressed as assault against the victim.‛ c) Domestic Violence definition by the UN does not include domestic violence against men. The UN in 2006 published a definition of violence against women that reiterated and defined the definition: - "Any act of gender based violence that is directed against a woman, because she is a woman, or violence that affects women disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty". Interestingly, again the male gender in this redefinition was still not featured which shows discrimination against males. 2. The study recommends for UN legislation of an International Act against Drug Abuse. 3. The study recommends the UN to create a UN Men Fund-UNMF to empower disadvantaged men worldwide. 4. The study recommends the UN to create a UN Men Platform similar to UN Women to address male gender matters. 5. The study recommends the UN to declare Gender Violence and abuse an international disaster. 6. Sexual Offences Act 2006 of Kenya does not cover rape by men against men, it states in part (II) Section 3 that ‚A man commits offence of rape if he has sexual intercourse with a woman‛ In order to equally expedited justice to men and boys victims, it should read ‚A man commits the offence of rape if he has sexual intercourse with a woman or a man‛ 7. Homosexuality is unlawful and is sexual intercourse; it should be classified as rape by the Sexual Offences Act. 8. Rape or defilement by men against men and boys should be gazetted as a crime of rape and carry the same sentence as rape or defilement against females by also amending the Sexual Offences Act 2006 9. It recommends the government to allow prisoners to enjoy conjugal rights and create a family visiting day. 10. The study recommends the amendment of the Constitution of Kenya Section 100 that declares in bracket that only women are marginalized their by discriminating men who fall in the same bracket. 11. Abolish Women County Representatives WCR as this is doubled representation of the women at the expense of men. 12. The study recommends to the government to create a Men’s Bank [MB] to empower disadvantaged men. 13. The study recommends the government to create a Family Fund FF for equal gender empowerment access. 14. The study recommends for legislation of Homosexuality Prohibition Bill. 15. The study recommends to the government to ban the Women Enterprise Fund [WEF] and Uwezo Fund or transform them into a Family Fund [FF] so as to cater for the whole family as a unit with the husband and wife sharing equal access and responsibility on loans and default, men above 35 years who have no income activities are discriminated and therefore will place them at par with empowered wife. 16. It recommends couples to sign a written agreement before siring a child to avoid court battles, DNA and alimony disputes. 17. The study recommends the government to stop recruitment of women in the armed forces since it is done at the expense of men and security, women recruited in the armed forces are not sent to volatile areas like Somali etc. 18. That no married woman/man should be allowed to take any government loan without the consent of the other. 19. The study proposed formation of Single Parents Empowerment Fund [SPEF] for single mothers and single fathers. 20. To establish Gender Crisis Centers [GCC] with qualified counselors to serve both genders in every County Ward. 21. It recommends the government to establish Safe Homes, Rescue Centers and Hotlines in all constituencies and Counties. 22. Ban chiefs and their assistants to desist from handling domestic violence matters, the mandated of handling domestic disputes should not be downplayed by the government by allowing this officers to mingle with sensitive marriage issues without due qualification or mechanism of solving the problems. 23. Men, women or children from families prone to gender violence should be taken care in safe homes through the GVEF at no extra charge including caring and establishing homes for abandoned children in the streets in every County 24. Male Genital Mutilation [MGM] should be classified in the same category as of attempted murder where the punishment is stiff so as to serve as a deterrent to other offenders, to prevent and stop chopping off male genitals. 25. Ban vasectomy and only allow on medical grounds since it is equal to terrorism and can wipe out mankind if allowed to be practiced since one cannot sire a child for life even after a case of natural disaster, separation or murder. 26. The study recommends the government to introduce a Marriage Contract Bill MCB. 27. The study recommends the government to create a Ministry of Family Affairs (FA) under a Cabinet Secretary to manage family matters efficiently as the key Ministry to foster peace and reconciliation. 28. It recommends the government to ban women from sitting in the front seat next to the driver in PSV vehicles as a measure to curb accidents; many women are indecently dressed and distract concentration, putting passengers to risk. 29. It recommends the government to ban and declare boda boda transport a disaster in waiting as the top road killer. 30. Transformation of widows and children pension fund to widows, widowers and children pension fund to help men too.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
3:8 Facts Sheet (5) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
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Key Recommendations for boys
This study results classified male child abuse and neglect a National Disaster and a time bomb. The study called on the government to urgently create an affirmative action for the boychild. It recommends the government to ban transformation of schools to girls and invest on building boys schools. The study recommends the government to legislate a Boy Girl Fund BGF that will equally benefit them as all have special needs and equal rights as children. To ban school prefects since they are manipulated by teachers at the expense of their education. The government should ban the use of mobiles in schools by students since they are a security threat. The study recommends the government to legislate a law to ban Miraa chewing by underage. Legislation of adoption laws that will equally benefit orphaned boys as they are discriminated by foster parents. Ban all traditional and archaic ways of circumcisions since they are outdated and should be replaced by healthy methods in health centers. Traditions have continued holding onto retrogressive cultural practices like circumcision with a single knife increasing the rate of HIV infection and penis deformities among the boy child. It recommends the government to ban circumcision festivals during school calendar or a month before national exams which is done at the expense of education and has adverse effects to learner’s and candidates. The study recommends the government to declare circumcision free of charge to all boys and ban wearing shorts in schools and instead wear trousers since shorts are colonial and a disadvantage to boys in primary since most don’t have innerwear thereby affecting their moral. The study recommends that the government should employ salaried professional counselors in all learning institution and introduce examinable subjects in order to empower and motivate students morally. The government should introduce suggestion boxes as mandatory for parents and students at strategic places in all primary, secondary, colleges and universities in order to avert strikes and property destruction. To create a disciplinary office in all schools with qualified disciplinary teacher and counselor to attend students. The study recommends the UN to display gender equity by considering the needs and challenges of the boy child by ceding to our Honorable request to mark June 11 annually as International Day of the Boy child [IDBC] as launched by MAWE in the 2014 to be marked worldwide. It recommends the government to ban Quota system of education since it is outdated in this 21st Century. It recommends the government to legislate Betting Games Laws that will ban under 18 years and ban songs or videos that are abusive, intimidate and demoralize either gender. The government should distribute under wares to boys in primary schools for free as a motivation program. It recommends the government to introduce Physical and Sex Education PSE in schools from form 1 to 4. The study recommends the government to address civil rights of junior youths by lowering the effective age of identification requirement to 16 years as senior teenagers in order to access their fundamental rights including access to modern technology, property acquisition, right to give evidence in court, driving, participate in general elections, access to PIN and banking, health schemes, telecommunication and other modern requirements. It should promote programs and events that motivate boys for potential enrichment as young adults. Government and parents to be vigilant in protecting their sons against rapists and to look for any signs of bullying or sexual abuse i.e. change of walking, change of behavior, unknown friendships and gifts from strangers and or pornographic materials etc. The government to ban sending student’s home for fees since boy’s schools are the most affected by the frequent learning disruptions at the expense of education. It recommends the government to deploy 2 armed police in all boarding schools as a prevention act to curb arson and install CCTV in all schools and particularly classes, dormitories and toilets to monitor student’s action and curb cases of rape, insecurity and drug abuse in secondary schools.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3:9 General findings on gender and domestic abuse against men:1.
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80% of men who are regularly and physically abused predominantly reported that their genitals were pulled, squeezed with impunity and denied conjugal rights by wives. The study showed that 40% of abused men reported health problems included psychological issues i.e. suicidal ideation, fear, tension, depression, drugs, substance and alcohol abuse addiction symptoms i.e. high blood pressure, hypertension, prostate cancer, physical ailments, poor economic output etc. It showed that 70% of the men who were abused reported that their phones were regularly scrutinized by their wives and sometimes forced to leave behind when going to work. 9 out of 10 men victims of witchcraft have no say in their homes and are regularly abused physically and denied conjugal rights. The study showed that men who physically abuse women were considered week cowards and follow retrogressive culture and were at risks of facing domestic violence in their old age as revenge where some are starved to death, denied medication, disrespected by children and faces regular abuse and violence. It showed that 3 out of 10 men witchcraft victims are severely affected health wise where many are docile due to effects. The highest level of abuse of women against men that was reported by about all men was insults, humiliation and denial of conjugal rights with 95% of abused men been victims. The study revealed that 95% of men who are unemployed, retired, sacked or not empowered economically and or have no incomes are frequently henpecked and abused by their wives particularly in public or in the presence of visitors at home. Women were the cause of most domestic disputes due to their prolonged way in solving matters compared with men. 65% of the men survivors of domestic violence interviewed were stigmatized in the time of doing the research. 60% of males working in cooperate businesses are regularly abused sexually by their female counterparts. 70% of men foreigners living in the coastal region in Kenya are victims of domestic abuse and violence while half of them are abused regularly by their foreign counterpart wives or African women married to foreigners. 70% of female politicians are divorced, separated or single. 80% educated career women are single, separated or divorced. Rampant schools arsons that are reported were perpetrated by teachers in cohorts with prefects, reasons why there were no casualties as expected with many fire accidents. Women of particularly college education are highly eligible for marriage according to the study. Women who do not get married after college level of education have difficulty in getting a partner after 24 years of age. 80% of married men married women of the age 20 and 23 years; these women easily adapt to any mode of life and don’t suffer from superiority complex common to women of higher educational standards or above 24 years. The study showed that 4 out of 10 personal vehicles and businesses in all selected counties are women owned. The study showed that men living in the urban area are prone to domestic abuse more than those in the rural areas. The study showed that some women preferred their husbands being drank so that they can manipulate them as they proved easier to give out money when drank than sober. The study showed that only 1 out of 10 men landed in the job or career of his dream contrary to what they said they wanted to be when in primary or secondary school.
23. The study showed that elderly men above ages 65 years are more venerable to abuse than women of the same age. 24. Women use children born out of wedlock as bait to exploit men by demanding exorbitant alimony expenses. 25. The study showed that media fraternity is biased on Violence against Male Gender in comparison with females. 26. The study showed that a majority of men are generous than women while a majority of women are very mean. 27. The study showed that majority men forgive and forget in comparison with women who don’t forgive and never forget. 28. The study showed that the worst day of the year for men is Valentine’s Day as women take advantage to economically manipulate and exploit men with heavy demands; men proposed it should be known as Male Exploitation Day. 29. 15% of males in the civil service receive half salaries due to true or fake alimony allegations by their estranged wives or girlfriends and do not report for fear of losing their jobs. 30. The study showed that 5 out of 10 men have no say or contribution on family planning matters of their family. 31. It showed 9 out of 10 wealthy men have less than 3 children. 32. The study showed that 8 out of 10 families whose income is below average have more than 5 children. 33. Majority of poor families have more than 6 children. 34. 70% of Muslim community families have more than 5 children 35. It showed majority of Somali families have more than 8 children. 36. A majority of men who went to report to police ended up been arrested instead of the woman and charged with assault. 37. That no married woman/man should be allowed to take any government loan without the consent of the other and most likely physical appearance should be necessary. 38. Government’s funds have caused a sharp increase in the rate of separations, divorce, homicides and suicides by irate husbands after their property is auctioned while others are left with children after they decamp off with the money. 39. A majority of women who are successful after accessing government loans buy and register their property and business in their mothers or sisters names with their husbands having no right to inherit such property in case of death. 40. Majority of men said that women empowerment groups are the major cause of family disputes due to bad influence of some members who were single, divorced and or separated. 41. A majority of men who have undergone vasectomy operation are stigmatized for the rest of their lives and were either threatened with separation by their wives, blackmailed or seduced with handouts according to the study. 42. The study showed that a majority of men would wish to engage in a Marriage Contract rather than bound themselves with a legal marriage that is not sure to last as they said that all women are potential male abusers and this will work as an exit to freedom after realizing that the woman is violent. 43. Out of 10 people infected with jiggers 7 were males and the extent of jigger attack was not limited to toes and hands but also buttocks and genitals were severely afflicted while a majority of women were afflicted on the toes and few on the hands. 44. 50% of women were optimistic that beating a man is culturally wrong and they would rather divorce. 45. 20% women justifiable male battery if the husband is alcoholic, irresponsible, unfaithful or unsatisfactory sexual relation. 46. 95% of men were against male battery and said that it is unGodly, bad omen and a curse to perpetrators. 47. 5% males justified male battery to irresponsible and alcoholic men as a disciplinary measure.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 48. Forming blood relationships between different ethnic groups will both reduce ethnic tension, animosity among communities since domestic violence within inter-marriages was limited. 49. 7 out of 10 women have carried an abortion in their lifetime where many had terminated pregnancy more than twice. 50. It showed that women are the worst children abusers through real or fake punishments, biased to boys, discriminating children according to which parent the child has been named, murdering, abandoning them in the streets, abortion, child trafficking, throwing them to pit latrines, poisoning, starvation, struggling to death and abusing children who are not biologically theirs etc. 51. It showed men are generally spendthrifts and end up using their money on unessential things i.e. alcohol while women are generally thrifty and careful with money, reason why the mama ‘mboga’ is able to sustain a small business and live out of it. 52. HIV/AIDS positive and prostate cancer men were discriminated in employment and medical access in comparison with women. 53. Drug abuse in Kenya and particularly the coast region should be classified as a National Disaster, the National and County government including the UN should address the vice. 54. No research has been done on social and economic status of the male gender in order to classify them as empowered naturally. 55. The study showed that 99% NGOs and stakeholders focus on building capacity on women and ignore the interest of men. 56. MAWE is the only Male Rights Defender [MRD] in Kenya while other NGO’s rely on defending women and girls rights. 57. Government gender offices both national and counties are designed to represent females at the expense of males since all these offices coincidentally are headed by women countrywide due to the ill assumption that ‚gender‛ means women only. 58. Government and NGOs funded girls and women refuge centers or safe homes are over 150 in Kenya while there is not a single refuge or safe home for boys or men countrywide which should not be the case, this difference shows women have advanced in knowledge of laws and services while men lag behind. 59. Muslims have forums of addressing GBV matters in Mosques in comparison with Christians who don’t have such in Churches. 60. Housewives and teachers were mentioned as caring and faithful. 61. 15% male’s equivalent to about 30,000 Christian religious male leaders are emotionally abused while approximately half of them are physically abused regularly by their wives countrywide. 62. 2% male Muslim religious leaders estimated at 1,400 countrywide are emotionally and physically abused while half of them are regularly abused by their wives. 3:10 General findings on abuse and violence against boys:1. 50% of perpetrators were HIV/AIDS positive and serial rapists who infect innocent boys intentionally. 2. Rape among boys is prevalent since results showed an average of 73,000 rapes and defilements in one year countrywide. 3. It was revealed that rape among boys is ignored and a majority of perpetrators are not arrested due to gaps in the laws. 4. Some prefects are given excess freedom where they go out to clubs on Saturdays and report back on Sundays. 5. 80% rape survivors are young boys between ages 10 and 16 years and suffer in silence due to lack of awareness campaigns on rape against males and unaware of services available such as rescue centers or safe homes. 6. 90% primary schools are not gender represented since they have more female teachers than males 7. Many boys lack role models as some end up been taught by female teachers throughout primary level.
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Corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools; prefects too were given the mandated to punish fellow students. Counseling funds are mismanaged; schools are not accountable and allow unqualified persons to lecture. Cases of prefects grades been inflated and eating special diet of meat and eggs in schools was reported. Male rape victims are left traumatized and stigmatized while many infected with HIV/AIDS with nowhere to report. The study showed that parents are to blame on the rampant bullying in schools since they encourage their boys to be courageous and bare the pains without reporting ignorant of what exactly the boys are going through. 70% survivors are not aware of places to report rape ordeal due to stigma and threats by the perpetrators after been held hostage overnight and or abducted for days or weeks. Lack of boy’s special programs, government and parent’s laxity is the major cause of moral breakdown in boy’s schools. In comparison with the girl, the boy is subjected to adverse discrimination considering that the UN has set an ‚International Day of the Girl child‛ [IDGC] that is marked annually and non for boys. 8 out of 10 boys in secondary schools were aware of radicalization and were introduced to cigarette and bhang smoking, alcohol and drug abuse while in form one by other boys in the upper classes as a form of bullying. It showed that current secondary schools cannot produce mature boys since they lack motivation programs to empower and equip the boys to be confident young male adults. Cases of prefects forcing boys to bath them were rampant. Prefects having lover boys and raping them was rampant. Reports of senior boys forcing their juniors to carry with then pornographic materials during opening days were rampant. Nakuru County leading in boys who have never enrolled in school with 2 out of 10 boys. The study revealed that the major cause of upsurge of crimes in Kenya including ethnic, civil, cattle rustling, terrorism, unstable and war torn nations, sexual abuse, robbery and social ills is as a result of boy child discrimination and neglect by government in the country and worldwide. 1 out of 10 boys in primary schools in class 8 abuse alcohol, chew Miraa and smoke cigarettes 9 out of 10 boys living in the streets abuse drugs and sniff glue. 70% of boys had low self-esteem and feared girls and would not wish to marry because of the way girls are accorded more care, over protection by the parents, tutors including punishment threats if seen talking to girls in schools. 99% of current music exalts and motivates the female gender unfairly and portrays the male gender as violent, aggressive, murderer, criminal, terrorist and female abuser. It showed that the maximum penalty when caught with drugs in schools is 2 weeks expulsion; very few are expelled for good. The study also showed that 20% of vehicle road accidents are due to indecency by women sited next to the driver and nude advertisements of women in billboards which causes distraction leading to avoidable accidents. Boda boda passenger transport has proven to be the leading cause of deaths and casualties and has contributed to the upsurge of accidents in the country where the most affected are the junior youths aged 16 to 27 years. It showed that fatalities in this county during the last year were between 15 and 20 while serious injuries were between 30 and 40 and minor injuries were 50 to 60 people.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 31. It showed that only 1 out of 10 slightly injured people report to police while others solve out of traffic presence in order to save time spent in waiting for traffic police in the rural areas. 32. It showed that many people did not die on the spot but later in hospitals in the process of saving lives and it is likely that these deaths are not factored or reported to the traffic officers later. 33. The study showed that only 4 out of 10 seriously injured people report to the police either because the cyclist did not have a road licenses or insurance cover. 34. Boda boda sector has created more problems than it solves and blamed the government for not addressing the menace. 35. Kilifi County registered far lower figures of tuk tuk fatalities where it was the most preferable mood of transport in comparison with Kisii County 36. 80% households, there was a survivor of a motorbike accident, most of them youthful men between ages 16-24 years. 37. The study showed that 6 out of 10 passengers were ridden carelessly and over speeded even after telling the rider to slow. It recommends the government to introduce boda boda speed limit governors of 40kph and or replace boda boda’s with three wheel motor bikes (tuk tuk) which are safer in speed, comfort, and seating without compromising driver.
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14. 3:11 Proposed recommendations to the United Nations (UN) 1. UN to declare alcohol and drug abuse an international disaster. 2. UN to create Universal Children Protection Law-[UCPL] 3. It recommends the UN legislation of Universal Education Curriculum UEC since the world is now a global village. 4. The study recommends to the UN to revisit the renowned King Herod and Pharaoh Boys Massacre in the Bible where hundreds of boy’s infants up to 2 years were drowned and slaughtered mercilessly after a politically motivated decree. The UN should file a criminal case against the key suspects in The Hague and open prosecution charges to King Pharaoh and Herod posthumously in order for boys worldwide to feel a sense of justice and security on earth. Exodus 1:22 states Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‚Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.‛ and Mathew 2: 16 states When Herod saw that he had been outwitted he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old . 5. The study recommends to the Pope to apologize for the church’s role in King Pharaoh and Herod boys Massacre where hundreds of boys were butchered and drowned. 3:12 Proposed recommendations to the Kenya Government 1. The study recommends the government for introduction of Gender and Culture Education GCE in the curriculum. 2. The study recommends for legislation of a Decency Bill. 3. To introduce Sports qualifications Diplomas and Degrees. 4. It recommends the government that GCC should be operated by experts and not police officers, chiefs or administration officers but they can be involved later where necessary. 5. GCC will encourage GBV survivors from both genders to freely report incidences of violence without necessarily involving the state and therefore remove the stigma in victims. 6. GCC will serve as a platform for GBV prevalence data base countrywide and be a resource shop to map out strategies. 7. Government should introduce a framework to define development of both genders annually on regard to unemployment, education, alcohol abuse since affirmative action is constitutionally for the less privileged without bias.
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It recommends the government to invest in long term prevention strategies by introduction of Gender and Cultural Studies [GCS] as an integral part of the school curriculum as a way to curb prevalence through knowledge enrichment at an early stage. It recommends the government to establish a Gender Based Violence Fund [GBVF], complaint desks in all county wards or constituencies, and training programs for service providers, etc. The study recommends the government to introduce rigorous evaluations of these interventions that would allow policymakers and practitioners to identify what works, gaps that needs to be addressed and which pilot activities should be scaled up. It recommends government to urgently establish Gender Violence Elimination Fund [GVEF]as a springboard to support and cater for GBV survivors from both genders It recommends the government to create a Victims’ Trust Fund [VTF] that will help GBV survivors and strengthen the policy role of the National Gender and Equality Commission [NGEC] and serve as a monitor to oversee gender related challenges. The study recommends the government to create Gender Courts-GC in order to hear family and gender related matters i.e. domestic and gender based violence cases, rape, defilement, sexual offences, and inheritance and divorce cases in privacy. Formulation of GVEF affords a unique opportunity to push issues of GBV even higher on the political and policy agendas. The study recommends the government that empirical data on the context, frequency and prevention factors of GBV has until now been inadequate and GVEF will be a one stop resource Centre to fund researches on GBV in both genders. The study recommends the government to establish a National Plan of Action [NPA] as a vision that should be geared towards a gender violence free society for a determined period of time say 5 years and should seek to initiate solutions to wipe out GBV. The study recommends the government that government institutions such as National Gender & Equality Commission NGEC, and NHRC should be powered fully with resources in order to promote gender equality expeditiously without strain since their effectiveness is constrained by inadequate researches and lack of capacity to address the structural causes of GBV. The study recommends the government that NPA should be used as a national database on GBV information management system and should be established under the office of National Gender and Equality Commission NGEC and the data base will define duties and obligations of the state and stakeholders. The study recommends the government that gender and social inclusion; gender mainstreaming and empowerment, including gender-based budgeting have occupied an important place in the national agenda. The National Plan of Action (NPA) will also accelerate prosecution and enhance prevention. The study recommends the government that NPA will work to introduced hospital-based, one-stop crisis management centers for casualties in all constituencies, with service centers established for survivors of GBV. There are many obstacles to effective implementation of laws and policies promoting men’s empowerment. i.e. domestic violence is treated as a personal criminal case, which means that somebody has to file her own case to police, or the court. Government should make divorce proceedings easier for gender victims with full compensation and inheritance rights addressed. It recommends the government to introduce a Working Plan Policy [WPP] to create conducive working environment between stakeholders and create opportunities for greater co-operation between officials, organizations and individuals combating GBV.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 24. Government and NGOs service providers to work together to develop standards of care for GBV victims without bias and create protocols that guarantee confidentiality. 25. Government to stop discriminating the males which factors have ended up fueling animosity in families and upsurge of GBV. 26. Government should monitor all schools since corporal punishment is practiced on boys in comparison with girls. 27. The study recommends the government to introduce Gender Crisis Centers in schools since gender violence is rampant. 28. Government should legislate laws that will benefit the male youths equally with females in employment opportunities. 29. It recommends the government to legislate a Fetus Disposal Bill FDB to monitor child deaths in maternity hospitals since child trafficking and mortality rate of the boy is higher than the girl. 30. It recommends the government should establish a Boys and Girls Upbringing Policy Guideline [BGUPG] as part of the curriculum in order to mold them as young adults at an early stage. 31. It recommends parents to be responsible in bringing up children in matters of discipline and education without gender bias. 32. The study recommends the government to introduce special programs that revolve on talent search and motivation since most of the students end form 4 in a state of confusion not knowing which course or career to choose where many of them end up losing hope and further education and turn out to be school leavers who cannot either be employed in any sector. 33. Men should take advantage of drinking joints by transforming them into mini men parliaments where they can share marital problems and solutions instead of wallowing in silence. 34. It recommends the government to introduce boda boda speed limit governors of 40kph and or replace boda boda’s with three wheel motor bikes (tuk tuk) which are safer in speed, comfort, and seating without compromising driver. 3:13 Key Recommendations on Knowledge of Laws/Services 1. 81% males were not aware of any laws that address VAMB but most were unable to state the exact content of the laws and also thought that they are meant for women. 2. 3% of men in the FGD-level surveys were aware that rape within marriage is illegal which shows lack of knowledge of laws. 3. 11% were aware of specific laws against domestic violence. 4. Only 19% were aware of services available to survivors of VAMB but many were unable to name specific services. 5. 85% men were not aware of gender desk at the police stations or in public hospitals dedicated to handling GBV cases due to lack of awareness campaigns and apathy when it comes to reporting since male cases are not handled with seriousness. 6. 80% of people had a misconception that ‘gender’ means women due to lack of knowledge of laws and interpretation. 7. 20% people questioned had a misconception that domestic abuse and violence only affects women and not men which leads to many men suffering in silent due to lack of knowledge of laws. 8. 90% people questioned had a misconception that domestic abuse and violence is only actual physical assault but not emotional or economic abuse due to the fact that there are no awareness campaigns for men in comparison with the women who are conversant with different types of domestic abuse. 9. The study revealed that MAWE handles immense number of phone calls according to the office data base, approximately 80 to 100 per day and also makes innumerable house calls throughout the country through its extension staff which shows lack of institutionalized avenues of reporting and also showed that MAWE has been a solution to many abused men.
10. 90% females who were abused by their spouses or partners received direct or indirect support from women organizations compared to none of the males in similar circumstances which showed that women are enlightened on services. 11. Women empowerment organizations, girl child and women rights groups in Kenya are about 400 as opposed to male which is only one by the name MAWE that has managed to create awareness on gender violence against males which is low. 12. Government lacks economic empowerment programs for men above 35 years while women enjoy tax payer’s kitties through Uwezo Fund, Women Fund and women banks with zero interest loans while men above 35 years have none. This is as a result of successful awareness campaigns for women and girls rights. 13. Girls continue enrolling in universities with unequal marks with boys raising their number above unfairly because of the governments (Quota system of education) affirmative action has reached its diminishing returns and must be reconsidered. 14. The primary focus on domestic abuse and violence should not be wish or wish gender but should focus on the perpetrator of the crime, more emphasis is directed to the abused women whereas abused men are ignored or not considered at all. 15. Government lacks programs to empower boys and men in comparison with girls and women due to the fact that everyone beliefs that the female is the weaker sex and marginalized which is due to the high levels of rights awareness campaigns. 16. It is a fact that males suffer discrimination at the expense of females due to lack of awareness of laws and services. 17. Life expectancy rate amongst males today has fallen drastically due to many factors including, lack of rights awareness gender abuse and violence that leads to stress related disorders i.e. mental illness, diabetes, hypertension, alcoholism etc. 18. In contrast to the females, constant nagging and stressful marriages has robbed off men, self-esteem leading to constant abuse and economic battles which they inevitably loose due to demoralization borne out of lack rights awareness and services. 19. The social stigma associated with female induced domestic abuse and violence no longer counts. 20. Many men are freely speaking out about ordeals they go through under cruel hands of violent women as a result of awareness campaigns by MAWE. 21. Government lacks forums and policies to rehabilitate boys and men from psychological and social disorder whereas there are countless programs and funding for girls and women countrywide which is a fact that portrays continued male suffering due to lack of knowledge of laws and services. 22. The social stigma associated with female induced domestic abuse and violence no longer counts. Many men are freely speaking out about ordeals they go through under cruel hands of violent women as a result of awareness campaigns by MAWE. 23. Government lacks forums and policies to rehabilitate boys and men from psychological and social disorder whereas there are countless programs and funding for girls and women countrywide which is a fact that portrays continued male suffering due to lack of knowledge of laws and services.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Chapter 4 Impact on Gender and Domestic Violence against men and Boys 4:1 Domestic Violence In its broadest definition, domestic violence cannot and is not restricted to females. The male gender is equally afflicted and is a victim of social, economic discrimination and manipulation, as well as physical, sexual and emotional abuse and violence. In our study, we have used this broader set of definitions to look at the range of experiences of violence that men face. Violence against men in its broadest sense can occur throughout men’s lives, irrespective of their class, social status, race, religion, nationality or any other defining features of the word violence. The study showed that 7 out of 10 men are abused during their lifetime, while about 200 boys report having been raped. Violence against men that occurs in the domestic sphere is perpetrated by their intimate partners, including spouses, is the major particular problem, with between 15% and 35% of men worldwide reporting physical domestic violence in their lifetime. Violence against male gender is a subcategory of broader genderbased violence (GBV) and is typically enmeshed in a complex web of institutionalized social and economic relations that reinforce men’s vulnerability. For example, men may endure women’s violence because they see no acceptable alternatives and is often part of a larger cultural logic that sanctions violence. VAMB prevents them from exercising their legal rights to share matrimonial property and violates their advantage of economic opportunities. Studies have shown that VAMB has serious consequences for men’s lives and health. There is evidence of a link between violence in the domestic sphere and men’s physical and psychological health. Physical abuse is associated with acute and lasting mental illness; stress related physical illness and risk factors for chronic illness. Children’s exposure to domestic violence also has important adverse effects. Studies show that violent arguments between parents are associated with children’s failure to thrive or fail in exams, lower caloric intake, higher risks of wasting and poorer growth in infancy and into childhood according to World Health Organization (WHO). Poor child motivation and education development was associated with regular abuse among couples and lack time and spend most of their time quarreling at the expense children.
4:2 Overview and extent of violence against males in Kenya Violence against men is an epidemic and a widespread problem in all counties of Kenya. The abuse of men in armed conflict is rooted in a culture of discrimination that denies men equal status with women. Social, political and religious norms identify men including the male child as a tool of war, while women conflate chastity with family honor, and legitimize violence against men. Men’s financial dependence, social status and lack of legal support render them vulnerable to abuse. No published research exists on the prevalence of men who are maimed or lose their life in war infested areas i.e. tribal conflicts, political instigated violence, during rights demonstrations and in their cause of searching for food for their families. Its social context or responses by the service sector, small-scale studies have been limited in scope and details i.e. The Gender Audit of the CIPEV Report [Waki Commission Report] The Kiliku Report, The Akiwumi Report and Truth and Justice Reconciliation Commission TJRC which dealt much on violence against women and children and failed to analyze what men went through during the post-election violence including young men being thrown to the rivers and killed and buried in secret mass graves in disguise that they were members of illegal gangs. In the absence of comprehensive, robust and comparable data, justice statistics, or evidence from case law, display a partial picture of extent and nature of violence against men. A majority of men do not report incidents, and many criminal justice systems have difficulty in bringing offenders to account and accurately serving the needs and rights of victims. The advent of gender equality movement of the 1980,s is the starting point on gender role imbalance, thus tilting to favor the female gender. In the succeeding decades governments have enacted unequal empowerment programs towards the female gender reducing the role of the male gender in decision making. 4:3 Male gender is under siege Male gender is under siege from societal values and economic aspects. Government institutions and programs to underscore the plight of the male gender are insufficient and suffer from rapid gender apartheid, discrimination, and ill narratives, legal, social and economic corruption. 4:4 Male Genital Mutilation [MGM] MGM is the latest bizarre assault against men by women. This alarming trend of event has occurred in all counties. Amidst the hue and cry from the society and social media, the government continues to take it as any other grievous bodily harm not withstanding its physiological and sociological impact. The frequency in which this crime is happening is frightening and of grave concern to the male fraternity. It is a fact that much of physical assaults in relationships are not criminalized to allow invocation of criminal law. Domestic assaults are dealt with at Sections 250-253 of the Penal Code [PC] and are crimes deemed as less serious than felony. The study showed that male genital mutilation was mostly reported in Nairobi County, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kilifi, Kakamega, Machakos, Nakuru, Homa Bay, Meru, and Kisii in that order This is an infringement of the survivors rights particularly those whose genitals are mutilated or chopped off by their spouses. It is shocking to realize that the offence of assault is a misdemeanor attracting a sentence of imprisonment for [one] year.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Assault that occasion actual bodily harm is also a misdemeanor attracting a sentence of imprisonment for five years, an example is where a man’s genitals are chopped off.
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Male genital Mutilation and abuse includes:1. Pulling the genitals. 2. Hitting the genitals with brunt objects. 3. Biting the genitals 4. Chopping part or all the genitals. 5. Squeezing the genitals with objects or pliers. 6. Burning the genitals with hot substances i.e. water, milk, acid or chemicals. 7. Shooting or stabbing the genitals.
4:7 Male potential gender and domestic abusers Majority of men who had experienced physical violence or MGM survivors reported that the perpetrators were intimate partners including relatives, neighbors, separated spouses, divorced or workmates. a. 47% of men who had experienced domestic violence including MGM survivors reported that the perpetrators were spouses or members of the family in cohorts with the spouse. b. 16% of men who had experienced domestic violence reported that the perpetrators were neighbors or strangers in cohorts with the wife. c. A majority of abused males reported been abused by their in laws emotionally, economically and physically regularly but suffered in silence due to cultural aspects and fear of accelerated violence that was likely to lead to separation and divorce.
This study recommends that Male Genital Mutilation [MGM] should be classified in the same category as of attempted murder where the punishment is stiff so as to serve as a deterrent to other offenders, to stop the heinous act of chopping off male genitals and its prevalence. The study showed the following results:1. The study revealed that 80% regularly physically abused men’s genitals were pulled with impunity and denied conjugal rights by their wives. 2. The study revealed that male genital mutilation is becoming a common crime and results showed that:3. 319 cases were reported by January 2017 up from 296 reported by January 2016 countrywide. 4. Sharp increase of 23 casualties in the last one year alone. 5. Approximately 2 males’ genitalia were severely mutilated or chopped off monthly by their spouses after a domestic dispute in the last 12 months countrywide. Other domestic violence crimes that should be upgraded to murder are knife stabs, machete attacks, hands or legs chopping, head injuries, gorged eyes, raping and infecting somebody with HIV & AIDS, defilement, severe scald cases or gunshot attacks. 4:5 Male Jigger menace in comparison with females The study showed the following three interesting correlations on Jigger menace infections:1. Studies showed that out of 10 jigger infected people 7 were males. 2. The study showed that the extent of jigger attack on men was not limited to toes and hands but also buttocks and the genitals were severely afflicted while a majority of women were afflicted on the toes and few were afflicted on the hands. 3. The study showed that 70% of men who were prone to jigger infection were drugs, substance and alcohol addicts 4:6 Social exclusion Social exclusion was commonly reported by survivors of VAMG particularly male genital mutilation MGM survivors and males infected with jiggers as they were considered weak and a disgrace to the society:1. A majority of MGM survivors, males infected with jiggers and physically abused were the worst hit by social exclusion. 2. 20% of males who suffered grievous bodily harm or were jigger infected had been denied access to health services particularly MGM survivors. 3. 70% of MGM survivors, males infected with jiggers and physically abused had been denied access to places of worship and places or public meetings.
Experiences of other social exclusion include funerals, weddings, family get together, parties, sleeping in separate houses, and children fearing them unnecessarily and being gossiped about.
4:8 Majority of men suffer because of culture aspects Men suffer in silence because of varied reasons:African culture does not allow a man to show weakness, it is abomination to see a man crying or screaming because of wife battery and hence some women take advantage by battering the man at the same time screaming for help and when neighbors come to help they descend on the man with kicks and brows unaware that the man is actually the victim. 4:9 Negative consequences of violence Men who had experienced violence regularly reported a range of symptoms and problems more frequently than men with no experience of violence. These problems included psychological issues i.e. suicidal ideation, fear, tension, depression, drugs, substance and alcohol abuse with 6 (six )males committing suicide daily; health related problems, symptoms i.e. high blood pressure, hypertension, physical ailment etc. 4:10 Assumption that male battering is justified The vast majority of men disapproved male battering on the grounds of dissatisfaction and irresponsibility allegations. It was revealed that most of the physically abuse is perpetrated in the bedroom at night where the man is threatened not to shout for help and when he shouts the woman screams in order to conceal the who is battering the other. Many times men are kicked out of the house and end up sleeping in the sitting room, bars, and vehicles. The research revealed that many men are locked out of the house if they come home late or drunk. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
[76%] drugs, substance and alcohol abuse. [64%] enquiring if the wife has boyfriends. [63%] alleged infidelity. [45%] Sex denial due to drugs, substance/ alcohol abuse. [95%] Male battering is justified if one is an alcoholic.
The study showed that some men who are alcoholic were encouraged to continue with the habit by their wives so that they can take advantage and usurp family leadership. Some of the women interviewed claimed that it was to their advantage when the husband is alcoholic since the wife has an upper hand in decision making. Some respondents mentioned adultery, intolerance and failed duties but new reasons emerged.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:11 Help is not often sought „ barriers exist - [81%] choose to seek help from NGO’s - [74%] of men who experienced violence had not shared their experiences with anyone. - [82%] of men who faced economic violence were more likely to share their experiences with someone than those who faced sexual, emotional or physical violence. - [89 %] of men sought help when they faced violence from family or friends and were the most commonly mentioned persons to resolve domestic violence disputes. - [35%] of men sought help from institutions such as the police, hospitals or gender desk. The pattern was repeated in qualitative surveys, with most men stating that they choose to seek help from members of their family and NGO’s while police, lawyers or health providers were consulted only infrequently or when the degree is severe. 4:12 Reason of not seeking help Men who had experienced violence but did not seek care most commonly cited varied reasons:1. [95%] Stigma 2. [74%] Embarrassment 3. [29%] Hope that help would not be forthcoming 4. [62%] Fear of rejection 5. [35%] Fear of accelerated violence 6. [55%] Cultural aspect 4:13 Men awareness Male respondents in the FGDs were aware of the issue of violence against men and knew it was prevalent. Asked what the underlying causes of violence are, women identified family power wrangles, unemployment, infidelity, men taking advantage of men, lack of awareness of men’s rights, abuse of alcohol and drugs and changing lifestyles and modernization as important drivers of VAMB. Like male respondents, women too were largely unfamiliar with policies and programmatic responses to VAMB. However, men were aware of the roles that MAWE plays in protecting male gender victims. 4:14 Knowledge among key stakeholders Among key stakeholders at the constituency levels, VAMB is perceived as occurring frequently in both public and private settings. Some of the drivers of violence identified by key stakeholder’s decision makers in the FGs were similar to those identified by women among them social and cultural norms, abuse of alcohol and drugs, illiteracy, unemployment opportunities and low levels of awareness of legal rights. A majority of respondents in the FGDs were aware that there are national laws to combat GBV, few were aware of specific laws. The majority of FGDs stakeholders were not unaware of Sexual Offences Act laws or marital rape. However, for many respondents, knowing that the laws exist did not necessarily translate into knowing the specific provisions or consequences. Stakeholders noted several areas where current GBV laws need amendment; the Sexual Offences Act does not fully cover unmarried couples. There is a perceived lack of police power to keep alleged perpetrators in detention, inadequate legal recourse for survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
In addition, interviewees noted the frequent gaps between the existence of a law and the delivery of an effective response; particularly at the village level. Even when a response is initiated, interviewees voiced concern that implementation is often hampered by factors such as gender discrimination, intimidation and high rate of corruption. Interviewees had a generally positive perception of the national government’s overall response to gender manipulation affecting males. The involvement of Kenya Government and the personal participation of the President His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta in stamping out illicit brews which was mentioned by majority of stakeholders as a key GBV accelerator were viewed as particularly very important and raised the profile of VAMB awareness campaigns in the Country. MAWE in tandem with its objectives congratulated the President by awarding him and his Deputy Hon William Ruto two he goats (nicknamed the beast and the beetle) which was an impression of honour and thanks on behalf of men, in their steadfast support of the organization in its endeavors to protect the rights of the males and boys particularly. The government should consider banning betting games and legislating a law that will ban under 18 years from participating in the games which have infested all towns countrywide threatening destruction to particularly boys who have been carried away at the expense of education. MAWE or GMEN has undertaken for the first time a comprehensive survey of the context, prevalence and consequences of VAMB by exploring the perspectives of multiple stakeholders’ results. The results highlight the all-pervasive nature of VAMB in the country and the heavy burden it inflicts on the lives of the male gender. Our analysis of the policy and programmatic responses to this blight on men’s lives exposes the gaps between policy and implementation. Our cross-sectional survey of 1,700 men and 300 women, in 10 selected Counties across the country found that close to over half of men (65%) reported experiencing violence in their lifetime, and about 50% of them had experienced violence in the past 12 months while half of them experienced violence regularly. These high percentages reflect the broad range of abuse, stigma and discrimination which men are subjected at all ages of their lives. Men reported emotional, physical, economic and political abuse regularly. 4:15 Some men are more at risk of violence Given the relatively large sample size of this study, we were able to conduct multivariate analysis to identify the underlying characteristics of the men who were more likely to report violence and found out that men in the rural areas were significantly more likely to report lifetime violence in comparison with men from urban areas. 4:16 What are the consequences of such violence? 1. 59% had psychological effects i.e. depression or stress. 2. 11% had attempted suicide. 3. 10% men reported health problems i.e. hypertension, high blood pressure etc., a rate significantly higher than that reported by men who had not suffered domestic abuse and violence. Again, causality cannot be inferred from these cross-sectional surveys data. However, our survey’s consistent findings of significantly higher rates of reported health problems in a majority of men who suffered violence are compatible with the strong base of evidence of health consequences of abuse.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:17 What are the perceived causes of violence? One of the strengths of this study is that evidence on particular issues was collected from both men and women. The same was done in Focus Group Discussions-FGD to explore why violence happens; both men and women offered remarkably reasons.
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6. Moreover, key stakeholders agreed with the men and women in the focus groups that male-dominated social structures i.e. family, community, social and economic structures that privilege men over women, and socio-cultural practices such as dowry and polygamy contributes both to power wrangles that ignites VAMB. In addition to social/structural drivers of violence, men in particular identified several factors at the individual level, including drugs, substance and alcohol abuse not to mention the increasing access to ‚modernization‛ and selective female economic empowerment programs and policies. 4:18 How do women respond to violence in comparison with men? Majority women knew of specific services in their community offering support and care. Most women named government hospitals, police and chiefs posts as sites where help can be found. However, they also noted the potential negative consequences of seeking services. 1. 10% of women choose to suffer in silence due to fear and increased risk of further violence. 2. 25% of women choose to suffer in silence due to concern about the effect on their family reputation. 3. 50% of women choose to report or share the problem with relatives, friends, and neighbors. 4. Only 20% of men had sought help, and this figure varied by the type of violence a man had experienced. The study showed that this numbers were the opposite when it came to why men do not report. Perhaps as a consequence of these and other barriers, a majority of men who had suffered some kind of violence neither discussed their problem with others nor did they sought outside help. 4:19 Reporting conjugal rights abuse Men who had been denied conjugal rights were the least likely to seek help. Men who were economically emasculated were the most likely to report to police. Among the 20% of men who had sought help after violence, a large majority turned to family members or friends rather than formal, state or non-state services. Men noted that lack of awareness about where to go, fear of retribution, cultural reasons and stigma as the major reasons to shun service providers for care. In addition, men cited a potential threat of violence from service providers as a barrier to seeking care. 4:20 Men choose not to report due to many factors 1. 90% of men do not report abuse due to stigma and a majority of men who went to report to police ended up been arrested instead of the woman and charged with disturbing peace in their homes. 2. Most of the reporting stations had women officers and had to wait for men officers to be available therefore delaying justice to victims. 3. No action was taken even after reporting an offence of physical assault and instead men were advice to go back home and keep peace with their wives thus accelerating and fueling more violence.
Many men believed that reporting will link and therefore lower the man’s dignity in the society. Most of the gender desk were not manned by professionals and therefore were not able to ask questions or address the problem professionally. Many men believed that reporting domestic abuse against them will expose their private life and therefore would be treated with disdain and be a laughing stock in the society.
4:21 Structural corruption against the male gender The experiences of violence narrated in this study are the personal consequences of structural social and government corruption against the male gender that stands on three pillars:One - Male gender social and economic empowerment discrimination. Two - Perennial social and economic emasculation and exploitation. Three - Unequal gender educational, employment and legal access. 4:22 One-Male gender social/ economic empowerment discrimination. The gender crisis which this study has dealt with has largely been as a result of both the government and society which wrongly targets the female gender for massive social and economic empowerment. This has resulted in an unprecedented upheaval in gender relations with the female getting the upper hand. The study showed that:a. The social economic status of man has been seriously threatened by the female gender whose underhanded tactics has resulted in gender warfare. b. The economic exploiters of men through biased legislations by feminist especially in asset acquisition have resulted in men losing out against women unfairly. c. The judicial system is often biased against males often resulting in men been jailed on flimsy charges by women. d. This unfair empowerment has resulted unstable families in which 70% of them are controlled by women unfairly. e. The study showed that in job opportunities, selections and interviews often a higher percentage of females are recruited usually with lower grades than male youths. f. This has led to the migration of women to urban areas in such of white collar jobs that require lower grades than compared with men and has led to the male youths been edged with limited vacancies that only require man power or in the construction industries. 4:23 Two-Perennial social and economic emasculation and exploitation The study revealed that the empowerment of women was ill founded and only meant to exploit the male gender. 1. In 70% of households men are victims of economic exploitation by women. 2. In legal cases concerning property 80% of men in such cases loose against women even when evidence is strongly in favour of the man. 3. Women often scheme with their children to exploit their father off his property long before his demise and thus leading to early death by dubious methods. 4. Women based financial and lending institutions encourage women to exploit their husbands in ingenious ways to enable them get interest free monies.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:24 Three-Unequal gender educational, employment and legal access Education is a basic right for every citizen regardless of gender. It is the cornerstone of development. Both men and women receive the same education and are afforded the same chances by the government. It is therefore quite unfair to empower one gender according to the study. 1. Out of every 10 boarding schools 8 are girl’s school. The trend by the government to build more girls boarding schools and transforming mixed day and boarding schools to girl’s schools has created unfair education opportunities to the boy child. 2. More girls continue getting bursary schemes than boys. 3. The university entry points are 10% lower for girls. 4. More women are employed with lower grades than men. 5. Economic output as a result have fallen drastically due to women been paid more for less work, thousands of man hours are lost through constant sick or maternity leaves. 6. Women get paid more for less demanding work than male counterparts who are usually posted in danger zones. 7. Legal system is prejudiced by unequal application of laws. 4:25 Inter-marriages, ethnic and domestic abuse and violence The study revealed interesting data on the role that inter-marriage plays in the wider aspect of reducing GBV and bringing inter-ethnic harmony and fostering goodwill among couples and different communities in the country. Cultural barriers and ethnic conservatism are some of the more important stumbling blocks towards national cohesion. According to the study one important solution to end domestic abuse and violence and ethnic animosity is intermarriage between different ethnic groups. The study showed the following report:1. Domestic violence within inter-marriages was limited. 2. Forming blood relationships between members of different ethnic groups both reduce domestic violence, ethnic groups, ethnic tension, animosity and jealousy among different communities. 3. Inter- ethnic communities are more socially and economically endowed, nationalistic in approach and minimal domestic abuse, ethnic and cultural handicap. 4. Communities that discourage men or women to intermarry risk social and economic isolation. 5. Among the top communities whose men and women have broken the inter-ethnic barriers in marriage are Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Massai, Luo, and Abaluya in that order. 6. The Kikuyu dominate the social and economic spectrum of Kenya and their women are in great demand elsewhere for their diligence, hard work, and education standards and are not culturally biased according to the research. 7. Couples in intermarriages respect each other’s cultural norms thereby minimizing gender and domestic abuse. The report revealed that Kikuyu women are on demand in about all other communities of Kenya since they are outgoing and not bound by the cultural yoke. The study showed that the Kikuyu community leads in intermarriage and it is not surprising therefore that the tribe has successfully intermingled socially and economically with other tribes because of the following revelations:1. In Luoland 70% of all women married from other communities are from the Kikuyu tribe. 2. 95% of women married by the Massai from outside the community are from the Kikuyu tribe.
3.
80% of the women Married by the Kalejin outside their community are from the Kikuyu tribe. The report concluded that women can play a big role in eliminating gender based violence, ethnic animosity and tribalism by creating a tribal free generation through intermarriage. Women therefore contribute towards friendship, family harmony, love and co-operation between ethnic, clans and communities and countries through marriage. 4:26 Men, marriage and education Most marriages in the past were based on a woman’s place is the kitchen. Those were the days when culture played a very important role in the lives of people. The modern man and woman however have thrown cultural values out of the window and man has been left grappling with marital problems. The study about men and marriage has showed that:1. Most women value careers more than marriage and would rather have a steady career than a husband. 2. Highly educated women have problems getting a husband and when they do they inevitably become different wives and bullies leading to perennial disputes, separations and marriage breakdown. 3. 80% of highly educated career women are single, separated or divorced and majorities were reported to be male abusers. 4. The study showed that women who do not get married immediately after college level of education have difficulty in getting a partner afterwards since 80% of married women marry at the age of between 20 and 23 years. 5. These women can easily adapt to any mode of life and don’t suffer from superiority complex common to women of higher standards of education. 6. Almost all men prefer women of a medium standard of education whose career one can easily guide. 7. The study showed women of college standard of education are highly eligible for marriage. 4:27 Premeditated homicide on the rise It was noted in the research that some women have devised elaborate methods of eliminating husbands to gain access to their money and property. The research revealed that most carjacking that end in murder, husbands being waylaid by thugs at their gates are being masterminded by their wives. It is the duty of the government to investigate, prosecute and revert back all such stolen properties to their rightful owners. 4:28 Premeditated homicide 1. Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Homabay and Nakuru Counties respectively are the most notorious in such gimmicks by greedy women. Death by the food and drug poisoning is on the increase in these Counties where it was revealed that it is becoming more and more dangerous and a risky affair to be a wealthy man. 2. Financially successful men are prone to death plots by women. 3. Men respondents commented that it is safer to be attacked by thugs who steal and spare one’s life in most cases than a woman in marriage who is ready to do anything to accomplish her goals to usurp control of the man, property and money even if it means terminating the life of the man. 4. The study showed that a majority of male respondents said that a wife is most likely to change and become the worst enemies of the man and no wonder they have managed to rob men off their properties with impunity.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 5. 6.
7.
8.
The study explored cases of young widows whose husband’s untimely demise was their own schemed plot. Cases of women concocting poisonous substances meant either to kill or mentally disable men so as to gain an upper hand in property and family were reported. According to the research 40% of the married male mortality rate is not by natural death but caused by wives after prolonged regular abuse and violence. It showed that in comparison with both genders 2% of men normally poison their wives compared with over 21% of women who are likely to poison their husband.
4:29 Alcohol and drug abuse and gender violence 1. The study revealed that women were leading in illicit alcohol brewing where they liaise with the administration to avoid arrest as they continue practicing the illegal trade at the expense of men’s lives. 2. Women were mentioned to be the major cause in the rise of abuse of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse since many of the men gave opinions that they were hooked to the habit because of frustrations and abuse from their wives. 4:30 Marriage crisis 1. 20% of the families countrywide are managed by widows, single mothers and junior and senior spinsters. 20% of families are managed by widowers while 20% of families are permanently separated 20% of families are separated and only 20% of the families subsist by the grace of God. 2. The study showed that 65% of children in Kenya survive without both parents consistently where they are either divorced, separated, widows, widowers, junior and senior bachelors or Junior and senior spinsters. 4:31 Death threats on the rise 1. The study showed that police do not take serious action against death threats leveled against men even when they are reported to the relevant authorities. Most of the cases are solved by clan members. Police stations, chiefs, courts, and or in churches and Mosques where high magnitude of gender bias was reported. 2. Causes of death among married men are heart attacks diabetes brought about by stress related symptoms where most of their health complications are caused by nagging women. 3. It showed that inadequate diet, loneliness and denial of conjugal rights is a major driver to health challenges. Women have been known to deliberately adulterate men’s food with harmful additives either to subdue or weaken them thereby reducing their life span drastically. 4. Other gimmicks of women contemplating to slowly kill their husbands are poisoning of tea with cloths washing laundry chemicals i.e. or steel wire used for utensils which is put in tea of unsuspecting husbands in small quantities. 5. 20% men meet their deaths in prime age between 35 and 55. 6. Survivors of black magic start manifesting effects afterwards where the man’s health slowly deteriorates to his death bed without anyone realizing the truth of the matter and since no one can suspect the wife can be behind death of her husband. 7. Respondents interviewed revealed many ways women are using to kill men slowly. One of the common weird ways that was mentioned is a concoction of cement or milled dead chameleon, frog, snake and other poisonous creatures which are milled to powder form and mixed with food or drink to unsuspecting men for a period of one to two years.
8. 9.
Men later start developing strange illnesses which are hard for doctors to diagnose as some men turn docile. It showed that women sometimes are also victims of such schemed deaths by their fellow women whose plans are to subtle a love affair after the death of the woman where later, widowers are later eliminated and the imposing woman intruder becomes an automatic heir of property.
4:32 Wealth and marriage (Economic Abuse) 1. 85% of the respondents commented that the current generation of women are not interested in marriage but are all wired to money and property inheritance. 2. Women respondents said that currently it is not love that matters but whether the potential man has money, wealth and what kind of income generating activity he owns. 3. The study showed that if by bad lack the husband becomes bankrupt or is sacked, it will be an automatic separation since the binding factor is money and not love. 4. 90% of wealthy men are targets of women who scheme to rob them after promising and conning them with marital relationships where they latter demand share of property after separating with the men or alimony attachments. 5. The study showed that many men were victims of theft after having been robbed cash, cars, plots, land and property in a whisker by their wives exes or girlfriends. 6. Some women ruin family businesses where they have secret accounts, later after they have saved enough money they subtle disputes which lead to separation with the husband and start their own businesses as the man is considered as a nuisance and intolerable bother. 7. 40% of abused men lamented that they were reduced to paupers by their spouses who have now taken over their businesses and property and cunningly registered titles and log books in their names while men are left to live like strangers in their own built flats and palatial mansions. 8. Men are threatened with death and eviction if the wife realizes he is seeking advice from friends. 9. 50% of women who abuse men have separate beds where men have no access to incase of sex. 10. Women groups, meeting places for women i.e. Saloons and festivals i.e. ‘seeking blessings from parents were named as major drivers of domestic abuse and violence against men, many newlywed innocent women are misled, incited in these forums where many of their leaders are single, divorced or widows. 4:33 Growing odds in social/economic development of males It was pathetic to note that boy/man social and economic development growth stood at a meager rate of 3% in the last 30 years while that of girl/woman grew to an admirable 11% increase. This gap is expanding wider with the society and authorities assuming that all is well contrary to the study that revealed that everything is out of order with the male gender as witnessed in over 80% of employment sectors where the trend showed that female gender was leading remarkably. The study showed that the same disparity was noted in salaries of men in comparison to women where women earned more than me in the same job group. Women graduates earned 40% more than their male counterparts mainly due to labour imperfections and strong advocacy of women rights amidst gender parity that is rife in all businesses.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:34 (j) Major employment sectors demographics analysis Employment Sector Women in Men % in % 1 Education tutors 70% 30% 2 Civil service 35% 65% 3 Telecommunication 85% 15% 4 Health sector 65% 35% 5 Professionals 65% 35% 6 Media 58% 42% 7 Food market 75% 25% 8 Farming 65% 35% 9 Hotel/Tourism 75% 25% 10 Small Enterprises 90% 10% 11 Casual laborers 65% 35% 12 Transport 15% 85% 13 Building 5% 95% 14 Fishing 30% 70% 15 Security 10% 90% 16 Hawking 65% 35% 17 Politics 30% 70% 18 Marketing 85% 15% 19 Entertainment 75% 25% 20 Jua kali 25% 75% Totals 1093 912 Average % men versus women 55.9% 45.6% The employment sectors demographics analysis showed that women are the majority with a difference of 10.3% currently. The study showed that women had 55.9% while men 45.6%. ‚A parallel survey by Global Business School Organization in the University of Strathmore Business School found out that female business Graduates earned 77% more than the man’s salary in the same course. Women with MBA earned a massive 92% more than men. This is due to the fact that women have more negotiating powers than men‛ 4:35 Hidden crime and a global epidemic 1. Government is ignorant on violence against men and boys. 2. Despite the cry and upsurge of domestic violence and abuse against men no positive action or statistics have been done by the government to this effect. 3. The government downplays gender violence against men openly thereby fueling domestic violence against men by being impartial, not exercising equal security by entertaining hate speech and careless remarks from women leaders and feminists. 4. Men in domestic abuse are invisible to the law and treated as second class citizens with nowhere to find solace. 5. Boys face discrimination right from childhood with unequal care, protection, education, job opportunities and throughout their livelihood. 6. Rape and defilement among boys by fellow boys is a hidden crime and is not handled with the seriousness it deserves in touchstone with rape and defilement amongst girls as hundreds of boys are raped daily in disguise of ‘homosexuality’ with no one raising a finger. 7. Gender Apartheid and discrimination is a grooming scandal and societal corruption of the highest degree. 8. Gender violence against men and boys is not only a Kenyan problem but a global epidemic.
9.
Laws are drafted in favour of females and at the expense of the males. No wonder Laws and Acts of parliament that protect women and girls are dozens in majority of Nations worldwide while men and particularly boys have none. 10. A majority of men who are abused by their wives are encourage not to report and bare the pain as a man, others who report to the police are downplayed and advised that as men they ought to forgive and forget. 4:37 Masculinity under crisis Men and women currently commit violence whether criminal or domestic in equal measures. Crime based studies support this but women continue to be seen as victims and are often treated benignly from the society level, police stations and law courts. In the recent years, women have contributed significantly in the world of crime and abuse. They engage in serious crimes i.e. terrorism, robbery, triggerhappy thugs, car-jacking etc. and are no longer the stereotype shy husband loving kitchen type kind. It is a fact that women lash out more frequently than their husbands or boyfriends in case of domestic dispute. Female aggression is increasing day in day. 4:38 Women more confident today Women today are more economically emancipated and therefore are not afraid to end a love or marriage relationship which has resulted to high number of single mothers or incomplete, artificial family units. The definition of VAMB in the United Nations (UN) can only be traced within the human rights framework and unlike Violence against women [VAWB] which is exemplarily expressed as a special crime and backed by international charters. Violence against men shall encompass, but not be limited to:4:39 Characteristics of emotional abuse 1. Denial of conjugal rights 2. Insults and disrespect from wife and children 3. In-laws family interferences & dowry issues 4. Forced to do house chores 5. Usurping of man’s role in the family 6. Denial of food, diet and or medical care 7. Henpecked in front of visitors or in public 8. Infidelity, adultery and prostitution 9. Locked out at night, sleeps in the car, bar or corridor 10. Desertion 11. Non-spousal violence & intimidation at work 4:40 Characteristics of economic abuse 1. Sex blackmail 2. Spousal theft 3. Mismanagement of business & resources 4. Unequal access to education 5. In-laws business & family interference 6. Unfair sharing of family bills 7. Rigid laws that favor the female gender 8. Secret savings, loans or bank accounts 9. Spiking 10. Exploitation and unequal workload and pay 11. Unequal security 4:41 Characteristics of physical abuse 1. Battering, hit with kitchen utensils or objects 2. Harmful circumcision tools 3. Witchcraft and sorcery 4. Family mob battering 5. Scald with hot water, acid or tea etc.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Premeditated accidents Hired hit men or mafia groups Death plots Food poisoning House arrest or In castellation Male genital mutilation
4:42 Inheritance matters are classified types of VAMB 1. The government has made it easier for women to inherit property from their spouse’s parents and husbands whereas it is next to impossible for men to inherit their spouse’s property as many men have tried after the death of their wives but have been met by a wild objection. 2. The study explored cases where married women in their hundreds have resurfaced back in their parents’ home to reclaim their parent’s property, share of land, plots and or flats leading to sharp differences between brothers and sisters and influx of gender violence. 3. The issue of property ownership has not been addressed clearly by the Matrimonial Property Act, which has led to disagreements, thereby fuelling domestic abuse and violence against men. 4. It showed that share of financial responsibilities has also being a major course of domestic abuse and violence against men, women showed unwillingness to share their earnings with their husbands and when persuaded they instead subtle arguments that result to violence. Thus, in the quest to own property some women are using hostile means such as hastening the demise of their spouses either directly or indirectly. The more direct methods are either husband battery or contract killing. First the man is subjected to constant bodily assault; he is therefore traumatized and insecure and leads to an early grave. 4:43 Foreigners too at risk of domestic violence and abuse 60% of men foreigners living in the coastal region in Kenya are victims of domestic abuse and violence while half of them are abused regularly by their national and foreign counterpart wives. The study showed that in the larger coastal region of Kilifi County, the most common abuse was sex blackmail and humiliation. Some women in these relationships regularly abandon their children with men foreigners while they go out for entertainment in the local joints. The study showed that a majority of women in these areas enticed their husbands while others forced their foreign husbands to register their property in their names. Many victims in these unions spend nights in separate locked rooms in their bungalows in fear of their lives as most of their wives abuse alcohol. It was revealed that many abused men sleep in the sitting rooms while others book lodgings or spend the night in their cars or nightclubs. It was revealed that some are even locked in their houses as the wife goes out to entertainment joints with other men. Cases of women secretly planning with HIV/AIDS positive prostitutes to subtle a love affair which leads to the man contracting the diseases which leads to separation and early death. Cases of men reporting to police stations about their violent wives was in the rise in the time of the study where some reported to their respective Embassies was frustrating since little or nothing was done to arrest the women concerned. The study showed that many men who were abused suffered from chronic diseases i.e. high blood pressure because of stress and oppression meted by their spouses.
4:44 Witchcraft and gender based violence Witchcraft is a major driver of gender and domestic abuse and violence. Concern here is raised upon the increased use of impersonal forces as a violence tool against men. The study estimated that in 1 out of 10 homesteads in central, eastern and western regions of Kenya, women use witchcraft regularly as a means of controlling their husbands. In many of these households the male spouse is just a mere figurehead. In some of these households the male spouse is likely to commit suicide or develop strange illnesses which cause death at an early age. The findings revealed that some communities believe in witchcraft or magic spells of love, money, riches, health, physical and health spells. The profusion of advertisement all over and in poles in towns is a surety that many people are customers to witchdoctors. Cases of men and women engaging in illicit love making are caught unaware stuck to one another after what is believe to be powers from witchdoctors. Many people including politicians, football maniacs and business people also belief in this narrative. The following results were registered:1. The study showed that the counties associated with witchcraft were Kilifi, Machakos, Kisii, Homabay and Kakamega in that order. 2. Minimal cases of witchcraft was reported in Nairobi Kiambu, Nakuru Meru and Nyeri in that order people do not believe in witchcraft particularly men. 3. Witchcraft was featured in almost all parts of the country where more women were associated than men. 4. The study showed that a majority of women seek witchcraft as a solution to tame their husbands thus was mentioned as one of the types of abuses against men that fuel gender abuse against men. 5. The study showed that 9 out of 10 men who are victims of witchcraft have no say in their homes and are regularly abused physically and denied conjugal rights. 6. 3 out of 10 men witchcraft victims are severely affected health wise where many are docile due to effects. 7. The study showed that most of the women associated with witchcraft were religious and members of women groups who recruit innocent newlywed into the practice. 8. The study revealed that 8 out of 10 women who practice witchcraft carry weird substances and objects in their handbags like i.e. alive and dead creatures like lizards or snakes and weapons of aggression against their husbands. 9. The study showed that other women and children are also affected by witchcraft due to jealousy by some women. 10. The study showed that neighbors and relatives too are victims of witchcraft by particularly jealous women. 11. The study showed that most of the witches are women. 4:45 Gender violence in the workplace The study showed that men are facing increased frustrations in the workplace due to unfair conditions and disparities:1. 6 out of 10 men are sexual harassed at the workplace where they dress skimpily; seduce men into sex for money. 2. Women have more prospects of job opportunities without due qualifications. 3. Men are more likely to be fired from their work without a substantial reason than women.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4.
Women with lower academic qualifications stand a better chance of employment and promotion than men with higher academic qualifications. It showed that 1 man out of 10 women win scholarships.
10. The study showed that Nairobi County was leading in the number of junior and senior bachelors followed by Kilifi, Kiambu, Kisii, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Machakos, Meru, Nakuru and Nyeri in that order.
4:46 Legal and policy response to VAMB Laws should emphasizes respect for the right of every person to live in a secure and dignified manner, prevention and control of violence occurring within the family or outside, making such violence punishable, and providing protection to the survivors of violence irrespective of gender. It gives individuals right to file complaints, provides legal remedies including interim protection and compensation orders, defines penalties for perpetrators, and creates service centers for counseling.
4:48 Alimony crisis in the civil service This study showed that men employed in the civil service department, national and county government had been grossly affected. A majority of women take advantage of their husbands who are employed in the civil service to claim for false maintenance grants from their salaries since it is easier to do so due to check off system. The following results were generated:1. The police and teachers departments are the hardest hit. 2. 5% of total employees in the civil service who are married do not received any pay due to alimony attachment. 3. 15% receive half pay due to true or fake claims by their estranged wives or girlfriends. 4. 1% has resigned from their jobs due to harsh conditions brought about by alimony attachments. 5. Women threaten their husbands and also tearfully demonstrate against their husbands in the job places, thus setting a stage for unfair alimony reparations.
5.
Its objectives revolve eliminating GBV and discrimination and promoting gender equality. Men and boys are discriminated against in socio-cultural, economic, political and legal spheres. A report by MAWE entitled ‚Discriminatory Laws‛ noted that in the year 2013, Kenya had 11 discriminatory provisions and 29 schedules in various acts and provisions, including the Constitution that has discriminatory provisions. Even with the findings the society and government has ignored the revelations and have continued placing men as the main perpetrators of GBV. More importantly, no prior research on VAMB has systematically explored the knowledge and attitudes of stakeholders regarding GBV laws, policies and services. Lack of such evidence may preclude the development and implementation of law, policy and programmatic responses. This study was undertaken to address these gaps and looked in detail at the prevalence of VAMB in the general population, and assessed men’s responses and attitudes to violence, as well as the responses of identified protective agencies designed to inform appropriate policy and programmatic responses. 4:47 Men opting to stay single It was revealed that there was a rise in the number of bachelors countrywide due to many factors. Marrying age of men has risen to 40 years compared to 25 in the last 20 years; women today are marrying at 24 and above compared to 20 in the last 10 years. The study showed that many men are opting to stay single or are marrying late because of the reasons as follows:1. Fear of domestic abuse and violence by women. 2. A majority of women get into marriage because of property and wealth. 3. Many men are not ready to do a legal wedding because they are not sure the marriage will last. 4. Men would rather die than fall under the authority of women since a majority of women today are more empowered than men. 5. Women make heavy demands on men as far as property is concerned. 6. Dowry has become a business industry where parents are asking for exorbitant financial demands. 7. Breakdown of cultural values and sanctity of marriage. 8. The study showed that out of 10 families 2 are divorced, 2 are temporary separated, 2 are permanently separated, 2 are senior bachelors and only 2 are stable. 9. Feminist zealot’s advice against marriage as a form of female empowerment thus sending wrong signals to girls.
The study recommended the following:1. The creation of Gender Crisis Centers [GCC] in various government departments like the teachers, police and security department and or industries where there are more than 100 employees. 2. Gender Crisis Centers should be made public via the mass media. 3. The youth, women and gender ministry should make a thorough research on the welfare of all individuals in a family set up before laying down rules governing paternity issues. 4. Gender Courts should thoroughly investigate cases before awarding maintenance allowances which should not exceed half of basic pay. 5. The study recommends couples to sign a joint agreement of siring a child in-order to avoid the court battles, DNA and alimony disputes. 4:49 Introduction of a Dowry Bill (DB) The study showed that dowry is recognized in African culture as bride payment. It is an essential process in customary laws of all communities in the County. Its ceremonial importance cannot be under estimated and it is an elaborated process that follows certain cultural rules and regulations. The study showed that these days dowry has been commercialized and the ceremonial and cultural importance overshadowed by economic consideration and manipulation. Dowry was mentioned exclusively by many respondents, the interference and demands of some parents are unrealistic which triggers domestic abuse and violence against men by women since many men were not able to fulfill the demands. The following are the challenges as a result of lack of a legal framework. 1. 8 out of 10 married men have paid dowry demands that are uncultural, un-African and exorbitant. 2. The study showed that 7 out of 10 married men have not completed paying dowry to parents of their wives.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
2 out of 10 married men have not visited the parents of their wives officially due to fear of exorbitant dowry demands. 4. 10% of married couples have separated due to dowry negotiation disputes and manipulation. 5. Dowry payments are exorbitant to the extreme. 6. The study showed that young men are postponing marriage due to economic hardships in raising dowry. 7. The bride’s parents reject men who are not able to meet their terms and conditions. 8. Recognition of brides in weddings as heads of the families. 9. The bill seeks to harmonize and regulate cultural dowry payments in order to reduce manipulation and fraud. 10. Elders from all communities should be consulted and engaged in the draft process. 4:50 Reproduction rights and conjugal rights It was discovered in marriages, women have hijacked family planning matters since they solely plan the number of children they should sire without consulting the head of the house. The study showed that men have little say on issues that concern conjugal rights in their relationships. Women determine when they should make love or not. This has ignited domestic abuse and violence against men since sex only comes when the woman wishes but when the man is always denied without genuine reason. 1. This study showed that reproduction rights of men have been compromised by the female gender. This has negatively affected men coz they are blamed with impotence’s while women use contraceptives secretly. A sample study was done in 100 households made in complete confidence and results showed:2. 5 out of 10 men have no say in family planning. 3. 7 out of 10 women have taken family planning pills without consultation with their husbands. 4. 6 out of 10 women advice their daughters to take long term family planning pills [5-7] year’s duration which is sometimes hazardous to their fertility. 5. 4 out of 10 women advice their teenage daughters to terminate the pregnancy through abortion. 6. The government advocacy on women on family matters is ill informed since it does not incorporate men. 7. Men’s only role is to sire when the woman deems it necessary. 8. 5 out of 10 married men buy sex from their wives as they are not allowed before they either pledge something or gift or pay cash. 9. Girlfriends and exes are the worst when it comes to sex blackmail since 9 out of 10 love relationships, men pay dearly before sex. 10. 1 out of 20 men has been blackmailed and fraudulently robbed by women lovers and part with property, cars, plots and or land in order for the woman to give in to the man’s sexual demands. 11. Cases of men committing suicide due to wife’s adamant denial of conjugal rights to their husbands were reported. 4:51 Vasectomy a hidden agenda to castrate the male gender According to the study:1. Male Genital Mutilation should be banned and only allowed on medical grounds. 2. 9 out of 10 men agree that vasectomy is grievous Male Genital Mutilation [MGM] against men in the disguise of family planning. 3. A majority of men who have undergone the operation are stigmatized for the rest of their lives. 4. It is a violation of human rights. 5. It sends the wrong message to future generation.
6. 7.
It is against religious doctrine and God’s will. Men are castrated in the mistaken belief of doing social justice to their wives but end up regretting in the long run. 8. It is against African cultural, beliefs and norms in African context it is bad omen. 9. Men who accept this practice are misinformed and emasculated. 10. Majority of men who undergone this practice were either threatened with separation by their wives or blackmailed. 11. Reports of money hand outs and bribery in the awareness campaigns of male vasectomy were witnessed. 4:52 Confinement of men at homes The study indicated that there is an upsurge of unlawful male confinement by women for purely selfish reasons. It showed that this is a step by step process where:1. Men are enticed by ingenious means to unwillingly report home early. 2. Retired or unemployed men are majority in this category. 3. The wife discourages male visitors by being inhospitable. 4. She encourages the man to entertain himself at home by providing beer and sometimes with toxins unknowingly. 5. She plants seeds of discord between the husband and his friends who no longer pay visits. 6. The husband loses taste with friends. 7. The woman takes control and gradually indoctrinates her husband into a sense of loneliness. 8. Eventually the stage is set where the woman is fully in control of diet, habits, movements and even medication. 9. The woman finally starves the man into submission and plans for his eventual demise. 10. The woman is left a window with all the freedom to have illicit love affairs and also free to sell the husbands property with impunity. 4:53 Disparities in implementation of rights in prisons The study showed that disparities in prison were evident in women in prisons as they enjoy more rights than their male counterparts:1. They receive better meals. 2. Family days are marked in women prisons but not in men. 3. Women receive amnesty with more years than men. 4. Women cells are cleaner and more hygienic 5. Regular medication in comparison with the males who suffer to death in the cells for lack of medication. 6. No harassment or assaults in comparison with males. 7. Their working conditions are better. 8. They receive more visitation rights. 9. Sexual relations during family days and illicit relationships with male officers were reported. The study recommends the government to allow prisoners to enjoy their conjugal rights and create a family visiting day. 1) This will allow prisoners who are convicted long terms i.e. life imprisonment to sire children with their wives. 2) Stop the high rate of rape and homosexuality in prisons. 3) Enjoy children visitation rights. 4) Treat the prisoners humanly since they need not to be demonized further as prisons are rehabs where change of morals must be evident.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:54 Unfair male jurisdiction This study showed that of 50% men convicted in Kenyan prisons cases related to their relatives and particularly spouses in collaboration with children where many are incriminated and the tactics employed range from overt bullying to subtle assault as a master plan to make sure the man is arrested and convicted to long jail term in order for the wife to take control of the man’s property and businesses. It showed that cases of rape, defilement, sexual offences and assaults were the most affected where jailed men narrated that they were convicted wrongly without vital evidence produced in court. Some men were also denied the right of appeal while others were not taken to court for appeal applications and hearing. It was evident that some women scheme rapes and defilements crimes against their husbands to malign the reputation of their men while others do it purposely to torture and humiliate men. 4:55 Inheritance Policy Bill The study recommends the government to introduce of Inheritance Policy Bill. The study showed that inheritance of property and land is often a very contentious issue in marriages often beset with innumerable problems which normally bring family disunity, hatred and gender based violence.
Land and property are the cornerstones of our society and gathered the following results:1. Majority of the problems in the society are often brought about by land and property matters. 2. The study showed that absence of proper guidelines is the source of problems and domestic abuse against men and is likely to remain a thorny issue for generations to come. 3. The study showed that property owners often hold on for too long without distributing their stakes to the next of kin. Very often they die inter-state leaving of springs fighting for their estate in costly public court battles. As a result violence and hatred between family members occur. 4. The study showed family and marriage relations between grown up family members ganging up in arms against their father who is reluctant to split up property. 5. Married couples and family members often don’t have any claim to property as long as their parents are alive. The study recommends the government to sponsor a bill which will address amongst others things:1. Make it mandatory for parents to write their wills before they attain age 65 years. 2. A will is often invalidated and contested if written by people who are senile because of age. Most people are of sound mind at the age 65. 3. The bill should make it mandatory for parents to share their property to of springs who attain the age of 30 years. This will give them ample time to develop their property and also access loans using their property as collateral. 4. The succession act should also be redrafted to respect cultural traditions, beliefs and heritage. 5. It is common knowledge to see families engaged in legal battles after married women return home to inherit their father’s property. 6. This has created a gold mine to women who separate with husbands for purposes of sharing their father’s property.
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Culturally only unmarried women have the right to inherit their father’s property while married women inherit the property of their husbands. This should be added in the succession act and leave it to the men or women to share property at their will.
The results or possible outcome of the bill will be as follows:-. 1. Reduction in family and domestic violence and hatred. 2. Proper identification of property beneficiaries. 3. Reduction in court battles in property inheritance. 4. Bring harmony and unity in the family and avoid humiliation after death. 5. Gender harmony and peace in homes and marriages. 4:56 Gender Violence Elimination Fund (GVEF) The Study recommends the government to introduce Gender Violence Elimination Fund (GVEF). The study showed that the escalation of gender based violence has had a serious impact in the social fabric in the country. This is a complex issue that needs a lot of foresight and honesty. It is unfortunate that the government has not come up with a workable formula to address the consequences of gender and domestic violence. Currently violence against men and boys has not been addressed by the government at all. Hundreds of men victims every year end up suffering as a result due to the government’s reluctance to tackle this soaring problem. The Study recommends the government to introduce Gender Violence Elimination Fund (GVEF) to solve the following:1.
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Domestic violence is the major contributing factor to thousands of street children particularly boys and the rising number of prostitutes in the country. The study recommends the government that men, women or children from families prone to gender violence should be taken care in safe homes through GVEF at no extra charge including caring and establishing homes for abandoned children in the streets in every constituency. The study recommends the government to establish a Gender Based Violence Fund [GBVF], complaint desks in all county wards or constituencies, and training programs for service providers, etc. The study recommends the government to introduce rigorous evaluations of these interventions that would allow policymakers and practitioners to identify what works, gaps that needs to be addressed and which pilot activities should be scaled up. The study recommends the government to urgently establish Gender Violence Elimination Fund [GVEF]. This service will work as a springboard to support and cater for GBV survivors from both genders including the provision of a Victims’ Trust Fund [VTF] that will strengthen the policy role of the National Gender and Equality Commission [NGEC] and serve as a monitor to oversee gender related challenges without bias. It recommends the government to provide sufficient human and financial resources to plan and implement initiatives on gender related issues as a central unit to coordinate ministerial actions on GBV for both genders. The study recommends the government that GVEF should be powered to assist any victim in this situation and legal and policy process should be free. It recommends the government that the formulation of GVEF affords a unique opportunity to push issues of GBV even higher on the political and policy agendas.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 9.
It recommends the government that empirical data on the context, frequency and prevention factors of GBV has until now been inadequate and GVEF will be a one stop resource Centre to fund researches on GBV. 10. The objectives of fund is to grant and help gender victims especially children who end up homeless and in the streets due to domestic violence. 11. Fund support groups fighting gender and domestic violence whose work is hampered by financial constraints. 12. Fund extreme cases of domestic violence where children don’t even attend school or lack basic needs and formulate a policy where such children can be taken to foster homes so as to continue with their education as an emergency measure.
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4:57 Gender and Cultural Studies (GCS) The Study recommends the government to introduce Gender Studies in secondary schools for the following reasons:1. The study recommends the government to invest in long term prevention strategies by introduction of Gender and Cultural Studies [GCS] as an integral part of the school curriculum as a way to curb prevalence through knowledge enrichment at an early stage. 2. For better gender relations, introduction of gender studies should be made a compulsory subject in the school’s curriculum and should also be examinable. 3. Sometimes animosity between gender is brought by ignorance and outdated cultural beliefs. Most people have grown up in societies where one gender usually suppresses the other. Some have even grown in the belief that gender and domestic violence is normal. 4. Others view wife or husband battery as extremely normal and often offer advice on the merits of domestic violence. The attitudes are archaic and it is also unfortunate that some younger members of the society have adopted. 5. It stands as a fact that inclusion of gender studies education in schools curricula will minimize GBV. 6. Gender Studies Bill; be tabled in parliament in order to make gender studies an integral part of the curriculum. 4:58 Introduction of Gender Courts GC The study recommendation to the government is to create Gender Courts (GC), the study revealed that the provincial administration is burdened with duties that are not constitutional. The mandated of handling for example, gender based violence matters is downplayed by the government by allowing assistant chiefs, chiefs and county commissioners to mingle with sensitive family issues without due qualification or mechanism of solving the disputes. Among the many duties that they have been unlawfully been handling are family disputes, divorce, separations, children matters including gender and domestic based problems. The study showed the results below:1. It recommends to the government to ban chiefs from interfering with family and marriage matters henceforth. 2. The study recommends the government to establish Gender Crisis Centers [GCC] with and equip with qualified counselors to serve both genders in every constituency. 3. It recommends the government that GCC should be operated by experts and not police officers, chiefs or administration officers but they can be involved later where necessary.
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The study recommends the government that GCC will encourage GBV survivors from both genders to freely report incidences of violence without necessarily involving the state and therefore remove the stigma in victims. The study recommends the government that GCC will serve as a platform for GBV prevalence data base countrywide and be a resource shop to map out strategies. The absence of Gender Crisis Centre’s office is the source of gender crisis witnessed countrywide. The bill should seek to form a family court in conjunction with the current children’s court to fill this vacuum. The study showed that the Children’s Court in the country play a big role in hearing children matters in privacy. The study showed that 7 out of 10 family and domestic issues are not fairly solved and tend to favor women. These courts ought to be inter-joined with the introduction of Gender Courts-GC in order to also hear family and gender related matters i.e. domestic and gender based violence cases, rape, defilement, sexual offences, and inheritance and divorce cases in privacy. The study showed that cases of gender violence ought to be heard in privacy before qualified and competent magistrates and judges who will give impartial hearings on gender related matters. It was revealed that most of these cases are heard and determined unfairly particularly cases against the female gender which happen to be heard by female magistrates and judges had shown undue bias in the judgment. The study showed that in a majority of cases both genders were not contented with the judgments delivered and it was evident since most of these cases were quashed by successful appeals. The study showed that survivors will have a conducive environment when giving sensitive evidence of cases of rape, defilement and or gender and or domestic abuse and violence without humiliation and stigma.
4:59 Duties of Gender Crisis Centre’s (GCC) The following should be the duties of this Gender Courts (GC) and Gender Crisis Centre’s (GCC) 1. To solve family land disputes 2. To deal with sexual crimes. 3. To deal with problems of gender abuse. 4. To settle gender and domestic disputes. Formation of GC and GCC will result in:1. Less gender violence cases. 2. Less cases of divorce and separation 3. Less homicides and fratricides 4. Less murders and threats 5. Less costly litigation process 6. Less reports of gender abuse and suicide. 7. Stable family relations 8. Men, women and Children’s rights will be protected 9. Gender wars and segregation will end 10. Sexual offences with decrease drastically The study showed that Gender Crisis Centre’s (GCC) do not exist in the country and in these will be redress centers for problems affecting the family and marriage relations. The study showed that 70% of gender violence go reported every year for lack of report centers. Most people report gender related matters to village chiefs or local police stations whose officials are either incapable or unwilling to take up such complex cases.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Corruption and bribery allegations were rampant and this would be a workable and lasting solution to the problems of gender and domestic violence.
9.
10. The Gender Crisis Centre’s will also do the following:1. Create awareness among stakeholders and service providers. 2. Raise avenue from both national government and county government to cover the expense incurred. 3. Implement policies that will form a lasting solution to gender violence cases. 4. Lobby for the restoration of an independent Cabinet Secretary of Gender in the national government. 5. Give grants to gender violence survivors and children. 6. Achieve workable solutions between families and marriage relationships. 7. Provide a network of Gender Crisis Centers with centralized command. 8. Gather data on prevalence of gender and domestic violence cases in all counties 9. Create gender violence free society both in the county and national level. 10. Lobby the government on new laws and strategies to address GBV matters 4:60 Roles of Gender Crisis Centre’s (GCC) 1. Offer counseling centers for marriage related problems. 2. Keep data on domestic violence in its area of operation. 3. Act as a watch dog by referring severe cases of gender violence to higher authorities i.e. police stations or courts. 4. Act as witness in divorce cases and given evidence in case of criminal nature involving gender. 5. Institute reconciliations on marriage disputes. 4:61 Reporting domestic abuses in the office of administration chief The study explored major avenues of solving gender and domestic violence disputes where male respondents showed unwillingness to report to the chiefs and their assistant’s due to many factors. Many men sited this office as biased to men and many of them have ill mentality that women is always on the right while the men are potential abuser which has led to unfair trials on cases of abused men. The study registered the following results:1. A majority of people who reported cases of abused in the chief’s offices were women since they were confident that their cases will be heard to their favor after compromising the officer with sexual favors and bribery. 2. Some chiefs and their assistants were reported to collude with women to evict men from matrimonial homes. 3. The study showed that some male chiefs and their assistants were reported to commit adultery with men’s wives thereby coursing family breakdown and separations. 4. It showed that some respondents reported having been snatched their wives by some chiefs and their assistants. 5. Some chiefs and their assistants were reported to have colluded with wives to batter the man in their offices. 6. The study showed that cases of abused men been assaulted by some chiefs and assistants were rampant. 7. Some women chiefs and assistants are generally biased and hate men; and men therefore are unwilling and uncomfortable narrating ordeals to woman about abuse. 8. Cases of some chiefs colluding with wives to authorize sale of land without the knowledge of the man were reported.
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It showed that some chiefs and assistants morals were wanting as they were alcohol and drug abusers thereby would not be suitable to handle domestic disputes. It revealed that some chiefs and their assistants had a colonial mentality and act with ruthless ferocity in addressing domestic issues particularly that affect men. The study showed that cases of men been detained in the chiefs and assistant chiefs offices were reported. The study showed that cases of some of the chiefs and their assistants forcing abused men to first donate to fictitious contributions before been served were reported. Some women were colluding with chiefs and their assistants to unlawfully detain men in their homes. It showed that some women colluded with some chiefs and their assistants to give false history statements for the purposes of divorce, separation and alimony attachments. Cases of some chiefs engaging in illicit alcohol brewing and drinking was reported which placed then in an awkward situation in solving domestic matters.
4:62 Prevalence of violence Lifetime prevalence of violence was defined as the proportion of men who had experienced at least one or two acts of physical, economic, sexual or emotional violence by a current or former partner at a point in their lives. 80% men reported they experienced a type of abuse at some time in their lives. 4:63 Experiences of emotional and sexual abuse The highest level of abuse of women against men that was reported by about all abused men was insults, humiliation and denial of conjugal rights with 95% of abused men been victims. In-depth interviews with 100 men stakeholders revealed that the common perpetrators of emotional abuse are intimate partners seconded by relatives. Some men were repeatedly threatened with beatings and death by in-laws. Sex blackmail was the most prevalent act of sexual violence, in line with the quantitative data; the FGDs indicated that sex deprivation is common among all men. Men in such situations suffer in silence due to male ego, stigmatization and intimidation. 4:64 Economic abuse and discrimination We asked the following questions to assess economic abuse/violence by wife or an intimate partner. “ Have you ever been prohibited or dictated how to manage your
salary or resources by your wife/partner? “ Has your wife/partner ever taken your earnings against your will? “ Has your wife/partner ever thrown you out of the house? “ Do you have access to your wife’s financial management? “ Does your wife share her business profits or accept to pay bills? “ Has your wife registered any of her property under your name? “ Has your wife registered you as the next of kin anywhere? “ Does your in-laws influence your businesses? “ Have you ever been abuse by in laws? Majority of men reported economic abuse/violence 25%. Men had been forced on how to spend their salaries while others were conned by their partners by opening for them businesses and later separating. Others had secret savings, loans and bank accounts while others had been robed off their property i.e. plots or land after unsuspecting men are lured to transfer properties in their wife’s names as a man put it, a majority of men were also economically abused by their in laws:-
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚I am no longer under control of my family because of in laws influence and intimidation. They are on my neck on everything I want or plan to do. Sometimes they camp in my house in dozens without prior preparation during school holidays. They have even interfered with my businesses uncontrollably. I love my wife but of late I am mood less and want my space in the family. Either they stop their nuisance or we separate for life.‛
-FDG Participant Faith Based Organization, Nairobi County ‚I would rather write my mum or sister as the next of kin to my matrimonial property since you never know, your husband might divorce you and live you with nothing‛ -Stakeholder 4:65 Selective gender (women) empowerment government loans Men reported being denied basic needs i.e. food or medication, one man stated:‚I own a plot with my wife and have being saving money in a joint account to start a business, I got sick to a point of been admitted in hospital. Due to lack of funds I thought of withdrawing the savings I reserved for starting a business but my wife refused to sign the withdrawal form since we held a joint account. I persuaded her while in hospital bed to accept the idea or else sell the plot which we also owned jointly and she was hesitant even after convincing her that I bought the plot with my own salary. I was lucky God healed me and was helped by a friend to pay the bill. She wanted me to die.
- 43 years, married with 2 children Nairobi County 4:66 Extent of health problems Men reported experiencing a wide range of physical, psychological and sexual including psychological issues i.e. fear, tension, depression, suicidal ideation and other physical ailments. Willingness to report abuse also varied by type:- ‚When I faced both physical and sexual violence from my wife, I didn’t do anything initially. But it got worse, and I told my son. We went and reported the lawyer and he said he would help us get justice.‛ - 41 years, married Nyeri County ‚The only place where men meet is the local drinking joint. If someone faces problems, this is a good place to discuss and resolve the case.‛ -23 years, married Nyeri County 4:67 Barriers to accessing assistance Our survey looked at reasons why men did not seek care. The most commonly mentioned reason was shame, pessimism about people and fear of rejection: - ‚I thought of complaining about my wife to the police station. But I didn’t, I thought that she would spike my food.‛ -
23 years, married Nairobi County ‚Once I confided an incident to the assistant chief, but it was of nonsense to him, he did not listen to me. Instead she ruled in favor of my wife even in her absence…‛ - 23 years, married Nyeri County ‚I wanted to report assault by wife to police, but I have no money to bribe them and since I also don’t want to show my weakness, I am consoling myself and tolerating whatever will happen next.‛ -
‚These narratives suggest that men do not report violence to relevant authorizes or family members due to stigma, cultural expectations and social norms that men are responsible to preserve honor of their families‛ -40 years, married, FDG participant Kilifi County 4:68 Suggestions for tackling VAMB Participants in the cross-sectional quantitative survey in the FDGs were asked what actions they thought should be taken at socialstructural levels. While the government was perceived as having the major role in establishing and implementing laws, the responsibility for punishing perpetrators was seen to reside with the community, since most women perpetrators are never prosecuted. At the socialstructural level, men identified governmental systems as bearing the major responsibility for preventing VAMB. Commonly suggested interventions were practical laws implemented without gender discrimination. 4:69 Men’s Knowledge and attitudes Understanding men’s knowledge attitudes and behaviors is one of the key to developing effective public policy responses to VAMB. No study in the country has been done by the government to analyze the status of the male gender and in particular the boy who has been subjected to neglect and discrimination. Men’s knowledge and attitudes about violence, its causes, consequences and prevention, remain relatively unexplored and this may turn to be the only detailed research ever in Kenya. The study addressed gaps in the evidence by assessing men’s knowledge, attitudes of laws and policies. 4:70 Awareness of VAMB All the groups reported that VAMB was common in their communities, both inside and outside the family setup. Men talked about four different types of violence be it emotional, physical, economic and sexual violence. The reasons given for violence ranged from suspicion of infidelity, irresponsibility, drugs, substance and alcohol abuse, desertion among many others: - ‚In this county many women are employed and others are self-employed, At times, they work till midnight while some engaged in extra-marital affairs and abuse alcohol. They alive home late and are sometimes very violent to their boyfriends or husbands to conceal guilt.‛
-31 year’s, unmarried FGD participant, Nairobi County ‚I am an ex-convict and I must say that rape amongst the male gender is prevalent, not just in freedom but also in men jails where rape is the order of the day. This happens at the glare of prison wanders that have no power to arrest abusers in prisons. Cases of some male prison wanders seducing and raping male convicts are rife. It is unfortunate, that this is the extent of neglect that males are subjected to in and out of freedom. -49 years, married FGD participant, Bugoma County ‚Discrimination is rife in the working places: For example, I used to work in a construction industry where some women were earning more than men and were doing less difficult duties in that company, it is a fact that men are always manipulated in pay. Women have many hidden allowances while men have to wait for end month salary. ‚
„ 28 years, married FGD participant, Kilifi County
40 years, married, Kiambu County ‚A majority of men think that a dispute between husband and wife should be a bedroom affair and thus hesitate to report. Many women assume that the men cannot have the guts to report a domestic violence even after facing it regularly and that alone breeds more violence.‛ -34 years, married FGD participant, Nairobi County
4:71 Perceived causes of violence Respondents were asked to explain perceptions of why GBV happens. Several explanations were put forward, including unemployment, patriarchal norms, unawareness of rights, alcohol and drug abuse and changing lifestyles.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4:72 Patriarchal norms Preferential treatment awarded a decade ago is no more:- ‚It is due to social and cultural norms that exist in our society. There was a tendency in our society that women should not be educated and only men but today it is the other way round. A majority of men and boys are now on the receiving end‛ -41 year’s, unmarried FGD participant, Nakuru County ‚Even if women are more educated than men, [men] are considered superior, and their opinions are supported, but woman are always considered less knowledgeable.‛
-35 years, married FGD participant, Kilifi County 4:73 Lack of awareness on men’s rights Many women felt men’s lack of awareness of their rights has increased their vulnerability and decreased their ability to respond to violence. Since men are not aware of their rights like women, they are more susceptible to violence: ‚It’s all because of lack of awareness. If men knew about their rights, there would be no violence in the community. If men were empowered, they respond easily and can be the solution to end GBV.‛
-30 years, married FGD participant, Nakuru County 4:74 Alcohol consumption In addition to social and cultural norms of gender inequality, several groups also focused on the role that alcohol can play in increasing levels of violence in society: ‚The wife usually waits for her husband for dinner after finishing her household chores. But the husband comes home drunk; she suspects him of not being loyal to him and accuses him of having extra-marital affairs. We have seen such cases but they don’t justify violence. One should use honorable ways to express herself without infringing on others rights.‛-30 years, married FGD participant, Machakos County ‚Couples should uphold dialogue, separate or divorce as a solution instead of violence‛ -22 years, married FGD participant, Kisii County 4:75 Elderly men are more at risk of gender violence The elderly men in particular above the age of 65 years are prone to gender violence and abuse. This was revealed in the focus group discussions where stakeholders expressed that elderly men are marginalized in terms of assistance by children where they tend to care for the mother more than the father. Men were also discriminated in government grants at the expense of women. These findings were registered in all counties where respondents called on awareness campaigns and elderly registration of door to door in order to equally help elderly men with grants, medication, food and other benefits. The research found out that over 85% of the elderly men above 65 years were discriminated and as a result ended up been abused regularly by their wives basically due to old age and inability to work since they depend on their spouses who in many cases are younger and energetic. 4:76 Creation of a Senior Citizen Bill After the age of 60, most productive part of a person life is over. It is time for someone to retire in the comfort of old age having worked for the development of the country for the best part of one’s life. The state has an obligation to compensate and provide substantial income to senior citizens.
The current remuneration per month to senior citizen is not enough. This is a collective responsibility which also is an obligation to every one including the government. Insurance industry and last but not least the young family members have an obligation to take care of their elderly parents to the best of their ability. The study showed that over 70% of men above 60 years are abused by their wives. It is unfortunate that senior citizens suffer considerable from lack of proper medical care financial and social security. The most affected according to the study were the elderly men in comparison with women. The precepts of the bill are as follows:1. A comprehensive monthly stipend. 2. Complete medical cover. 3. Access to credit at favorable rates. 4. Favorable insurance coverage. 5. An act of parliament to compel their children to take responsibility of caring for their parents. 6. Subsidized travelling cost in public transport. 7. Subsidized cost in restaurant etc. 4:77 Gender violence and introduction of Marriage Contract (MC) The study showed that marriage has become a farce and has been compromised by foreign and artificial values in the social, religious and economic aspects in this rapidly changing world. Marriage ceremonies which cost lots of money are an eyesore and just side shows of entertainment with no real background and meaning for the future of the family unit but sheer vanity. Participants said that a majority of abused men would wish to engage in a Marriage Contract MC rather than a bound themselves with a legal marriage that is not sure to last as they said that women are potential male abusers and this will work as an exit to freedom after discovering one is violent. Majority abused men said that marriages are a long frustrating gridding affair with no exit except death. Men expressed that such marriages should have a plan B, say if a marriage does not work in the first 3 years. The marriage contract agreement should be done by a reputable private family lawyer. Some men blamed bridegrooms who while masquerading as advisors poach wives and are synonymous with the adage that says while the cats away the mice will play. 80% of abused men said that their marriage relationship was hell and regretted having married as their social/economic status showed dismal improvement in comparison with when they were not married. 4:78 Changing social norms and access to technology Some unmarried participants from Nakuru County mentioned their perception of links between ‚modernization‛ and the risk of violence. Increased access to pornographic movies through mobile technologies has changed sexual behaviors and what they demand of their partners. In addition, some married men from Kisumu County felt that women’s ‚modern‛ style of dress was ‚provocative‛ to men. ‚Some women are taking advantage of foreign males who are mostly ignorant of customs and social setups of African society. Many are gold diggers and con artists out to fleece unsuspecting foreigners off their money, property and often con them into matrimony.‛
-Stakeholder FGD Bugoma County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚Nowadays violence also occurs because of the growing use of mobile phones. Boys and girls watch pornography in their mobiles thus imitate such acts, and that’s what drives sexual violence among school going children, this ought to be classified as sexual violence. Women too need to dress up decently. There are many ways of dressing in regard to where one is going or what time it is or what one is does!‛ -29 years, married FGD participant, Kilifi County 4:79 Knowledge of existing laws and policies Findings suggest that levels of awareness concerning GBV laws and policies were low among men in all study Counties. ‚Though I am not that educated, I know something about these laws. Am aware that there are stiff penalties and laws about sexual violence, however, I don’t know what that law states.‛
-34 years, married FGD participant, Machakos County
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Develop strategies to engage men in GBV prevention. Include GBV studies in the school Curriculum.
‚There should be an awareness program in every County headed by the Governor’s office to prevent GBV. Community should be made aware of domestic abuse and violence, speak up freely and look for ways to minimize gender violence.‛
-21 years, FGD participant, Meru Methodist University ‚Empowerment policies by the government should be established countrywide for survivors and take initiatives to lead from the front through civic education, enlightening citizens on provisions of law and punishment to perpetrators.‛ -39 years, married FGD participant, Meru County‚
4:80 Knowledge of support systems for GBV survivors, access barriers Though men had a relatively low level of knowledge about specific laws on gender-based violence, they were more able to identify formal and informal local support mechanisms for women who had been subjected to violence. None of the men were able to name a specific program that had been implemented to address GBV. Men were aware of the role of the police, NGOs and Children’s Office.
‚Laws should be put into practice properly. There is a tendency among some women magistrates, chiefs and assistants and police personnel’s. The mindset of most of them is biased and evil and is always set to persecute men no matter the facts on the table in order to protect their fellow women. Due to such corruption and gender favoritism, most of women perpetrators go scot free and even mock the abuse man, threatening them with more serious consequences if they dare report again.‛ 41 year, married FGD participant, Kiambu County
However, none of the participants mentioned specific mechanisms dedicated to addressing VAMB, Men’s perceptions were that women seek help in different settings depending on the type of abuse, the perpetrator, and the initial responses of informal community members:-
‚My male cousin has been in murder row for years and faces capital sentence. Women on capital crimes are not sentenced to death but are reprieved on lesser charges of manslaughter. Isn’t the law supposed to be equal irrespective of gender?‛ -56 years married 3 children Kisii County
‚If there is an argument, women don’t need to go far, they start from mothers’ union which settles the dispute. If that is not possible, they go to the police. At first they try to settle it within the family and community level. Talk of men, they are so complicated, even the closest friend might not be aware of abuse in his family only when he is not able to conceal in a case of physical assault.‛
‚Society looks upon male survivors with disdain. The government should come forward to manage them by teaching them life skills for free in-order to break the yoke of cultural slavery that has held them captives since time immemorial.‛
-21 years, FGD participant, Moi University Student Some women noted that men’s access to existing services that address violence could be limited by a range of factors, including lack of awareness, fear of retribution, and the negative attitudes of service providers: ‚It is next to impossible for a man to go and report violence, if he goes for help at the police station, chances are that they end up colluding with the wife and he is rearrested instead.‛
-25 years, participant, Mt Kenya University Student ‚Men do not report domestic violence from their family because of male ego. Many fear that if they report such incidents, they will be neglected and excluded by their family members.‛-24 years, FGD
participant, Catholic University 4:81 VAMB and GBV prevention and protection in the community Men had a number of key suggestions for preventing gender-based violence and supporting survivors in their communities: 1. Fight stigmatization and create public VAMB awareness. 2. Provide life-skills training to the survivors of VAMB. 3. Enact laws and effectively implement programs. 4. Ensure sufficient, trained health care providers and professional police officers to handle GBV cases.
- 29 years, married FGD participant, Bugoma County ‚Even though men complain in drinking joints, they do not take further action; Law is not strict on violence against males.‛ -39 years,
unmarried FGD participant, Kakamega County Specific training programs to enhance men’s life skills, and increased access to employment opportunities for men were mentioned:‚GBV survivors should be given free legal representation and provided with relief package. For example, in case of assault, most cases lead to separation and divorce and it would be prudent to empower the survivor with free life-skill trainings as a stepping stone to start income generating activities.‛
-20 years, FGD participant, Pwani University 4:82 Factors associated with knowledge of the laws on GBV and rights We assessed men’s awareness of different laws protecting them against violence. Awareness of laws was associated with level of education, marital status and ethnicity, exposure to mass media, social network and place of residence. Education shows a strong correlation with knowledge of laws related to gender-based violence. 4:83 Attitudes towards male battery and sexual violence Women were asked to rate statements measuring their attitudes towards male battering. 1. 50% of women were optimistic that beating a man is culturally wrong and they would rather divorce.
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More than 20% women reported that it is justifiable for a woman to batter his husband if he is alcoholic, irresponsible, unfaithful or sexual depravation would be a reason for male-beating. 95% of men were against male battery. 5% males argued that male battery to irresponsible or alcoholic men is justified as a disciplinary measure.
4:84 Characteristics of abusive women Some main characteristics of abusive women are as follows:4:85 Superiority complex The study showed that, one of the major reasons for women becoming abusive to their husbands according to the research is due to competition in family leadership. According to people interviewed 80% of the women who are abusive to their husbands suffer from superiority complex dis-order. 4:86 Alcohol and drug abuse. This is a major cause and trigger in domestic abuse and violence. People who are intoxicated have less impulse control and are easily frustrated thus have greater chance of domestic misunderstandings. They are generally prone to resort to violence as a solution to their problems. Many women who abuse men are frequently secret abusers of alcohol and drugs. 4:87 Borderline Personality Disorder a. Borderline personality disorder is a diagnosis that is found almost exclusively with women. b. 50% of women have a borderline personality disorder which is a major driver to domestic abuse and violence. c. Disorders are also associated with stress, suicidal behavior, severe possessive mood swings, hypocrisy and deceit. d. Women who are abusive towards men usually have unrealistic expectations and make unrealistic demands to men so as to instigate violence and frustrate their husbands. This distorts the mind of the husband who cannot concentrate leading to drugs and alcohol abuse due to stress and depression which has led to many men losing their jobs due to change of character caused by marital differences and emotional abuse from the wife. e. Abusive women typically have repeated episodes of nagging, depression, anxiety, frustration and irritability which they attribute to a man’s behavior. Their mental and emotional state is as a result of their own insecurity and emotional problems. 90% women pick up these characters from their mothers. f. Abusive women blame men rather than admit guilt while they are equally the cause of disputes instead many refuse to admit change and fuel more domestic violence. 4:88 Verbal abuse The abuser is cruel and hurtful either in public or private. The abuser always uses degrading scathing remarks using strong and obscene abusive words. The abuser has a habit of repeating words like stupid frequently and sometimes without any reason. The abuser appears to love you but always talks negatively about you to friends and relatives while blaming everything on you and portraying herself like a person who made the wrong choice of marriage. She boosts around saying that if it were not for her the man would be useless and no woman would wish to be married by him.
4:89 Infectious insults The abuser is disrespectful and always does things the wrong way intentionally to subtle an argument that sometimes ignites a fight. She over salts food, puts excessive sugar in tea, delay or over cooks food, goes to bed or kitchen immediately after serving ,makes unrealistic noise in the kitchen using utensils, whistling and singing funny songs, shouts to children, bangs the door and sleeps late watching TV etc. All this is done intentionally to ignite petty arguments and divisions which sometimes lead to physical abuse against men. 4:90 Denial of conjugal rights The abuser always shows unwillingness to commit her-self to sexual intercourse due to unclear reasons. She always blackmails the man with unwarranted family unpaid bills which she forces him to pay before sex. The man either pays or pledges to pay later and promises gifts and money in-order to get his conjugal right. Suddenly the woman is willing and demands excessive sex, the man is forced in action nightlong. 4:91 Controlling behaviors The abuser may be upset if the man is late after work, shopping, visiting friends and questions closely about every move when away. She demands to know all the people you communicated with and the subject. She demands control over your salary and forces you to surrender the mobile phone for scrutiny where the man is warned not to delete messages and call lists of the day. Most women in this group are unfaithful, adulterous and use witchcraft to detain husband at home or monitor the husband in his work place to see who visits him. Men in this category are most likely to be professionals i.e., doctors, advocates, accountants and politicians etc. 4:92 Cruelty to children The abuser has unrealistic expectations of the husband and is often mirror in her attitude towards children. Insulting them regularly and punishing them randomly because of quire mistakes and calling children obscene and abusing them like adults where they are always mishandled and are always crying aloud and stressed. Most of these children are demoralized and their education is grossly affected. 4:93 Premenstrual syndrome There are certain psychological problems, primarily personality disorders, in which women are characteristically abusive and violent towards men. Some women abusers were associated with Premenstrual syndrome which affects their moods are demand unrealistic comfort and blaming the man on everything. Women in this condition experience among other challenges like i.e. lasting irritability and anger, which may include frequent outbursts at loved ones, feelings of tension or anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, crying disinterest in daily activities and relationships, trouble thinking or focusing, feeling out of control or overwhelmed, fatigue, low energy, food craving, irritability, anger, stress, crying, oversensitivity, feeling nervous and anxious, iterating sadness and rage. Men don’t understand this challenges and a majority assume that women are the worst pretenders. Many women take advantage and abuse men in the name of premenstrual syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome affects a high percentage of women of childbearing age, with many women feeling mood changes in the days before monthly periods. And while menstrual symptoms like irritability, anger, and mood swings are a monthly bother for most women, severe PMS can be emotionally debilitating for some.
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Chapter 5 Selected Counties Analysis and Findings
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5:1 County 1 - Nairobi Nairobi County by virtue of its size, population and diversity takes the lion share of all gender and domestic related crimes. The study showed that gender relations in Nairobi County are so strained in comparison with any other county. Nairobi County is in other words, the hotbed of husband barterers and abusers where now men have to train themselves in marital arts to avoid being battered by their wives. Nairobi area including Kiambu County led in these kinds of crimes at the family level. In many households, the wives and their relatives have well organized schemes to fleece off their husbands money and property by conning their spouses to open bank accounts in the name of their wives. The study showed that women are luring unsuspecting husbands to invest and register their property in their names and hold deed to property and money. Husbands are thereafter kicked out with the help of biased laws that only protect the rights of women and condemn men. The research revealed that some women have being hiring kidnappers to raise ransom from their husbands. Nairobi County is in a gender crisis that needs immediate intervention. The study showed the following results:1. A total of over 350,000 men in Nairobi County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 2. The study revealed that an average of over 230,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 115,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 3. An average of over 123,000 men experienced economical and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 61,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 4. 8 out of 10 spousal killings are female oriented and cut across property and love triangles and happen in all classes of society. 5. 6 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse from the first wife. 6. The study showed that in 80% of Nairobi county men residents are victims of economic exploitation by women due to the high rate of prostitution and sex blackmail. 7. 7 out of 10 men in this county are blackmailed by their spouses in order to enjoy conjugal rights.
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80% married men were forced by circumstances to get into marriage due to many factors. 20% of married men were forced to give in to a marriage because the woman was pregnant. 35% married men, married in a hurry without precautions due to age factor and did not consider i.e. history, morals, age, education, number of kids, parents home, clan or HIV status. 25% of married wives forced their husbands into marriage by holding themselves hostage in the man’s house. 10% married men were forced to marry by their relatives or friends and some were introduced to prospective bride. Only 20% of married men married the woman of their choice and took their time before engaging in matrimony. 50% men who undergone a church or legal wedding were either blackmailed or forced by the woman and or in laws. 30% men discovered too late they married the wrong woman. 50% couples do not enjoy their marriage life. 80% abused men reported that their phones were regularly scrutinized by their wives and sometimes forced to leave behind their phones with their wives when going to work. 30% male population is single by choice and not willing to get a future partner due to fear of a stressful marriage. Illicit liquor brewing is women dominated in slums, men are lured into drinking dens by prostitutes who rip them off their cash, mobile phones and property. 6 out of 10 marriages, women are dictators and dominate visually everything where the husbands have no say in matters of family and children including the sharing of their salaries. Over 300 men are drugged and left unconscious in entertainment sports, cars and trenches after being dosed with chemical substances by their girlfriends in various drinking joints in the City. Men lose their hard earned cash, property and cars after they are lured to strip dancer’s establishment by women who are organized to rob men off their property and money. Nairobi was rated most corrupt on regard to court cases against men, 5 men lose their hard earned property to women through theft, court injunctions and unfair alimony attachments daily. Cases of men dying mysteriously in some hospitals where they are taken ill by spouses with minor ailments are common. Hospitals especially private health institutions are potential dangerous places to get treated especially if a man is in bad terms with the wife according to the study. Most men who live in this county die at relatively young age after they have attained their life’s dreams of an average of between 40 and 50 in comparison with other counties. Some women in Nairobi County have formed crime syndicates whose major aim is lure men with sex which leads into dragnets and fraudulent schemes to swindle them money and property. A man living in Nairobi today faces a myriad of risks especially persons of means, problems increase tenfold. Majority men living in Nairobi County are mentally, physiologically and emotionally affected which has made them potential victims of stress, depression, torture and chronic diseases i.e. high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes and cancer Many families in this county have only a grave of the once productive husband who died on unclear circumstances.
5:2 Some serialized comments from respondents in Nairobi County:1. ‚Currently marriages are based on material wealth than love and trust; you might learn later that your wife was after wealth where you are heartbroken the rest of your life.‛
-31 years old, married with 2 children, Nairobi County
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‚I love my wife very much but of late I have come to realize that she is somehow a gold digger, we used to have a very smooth sexual relation but lately it comes with a pay return. I own several properties and she wants some of them to be registered in her name. When I object, she is moody for days and refuses to have sex with me.‛ -33 years, married 2 children, Nairobi County
‚During our early days, life was smooth and everything used to be okay with respect to each other, but soon after my wife has turned our sex life into batter trade or blackmail where every time I demand for conjugal rights I must part with something whether substantial or pledge before sex.‛
-32 years, married, cart puller, Nairobi County 10. ‚Unknowingly, I took spiked beer from a female colleague who
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‚I suffered mild depression last year and my wife and in-laws colluded with certain doctors who had me interned in Mathare Mental Hospital. I was certified insane which of course I am not, I am appealing this in a court of law since I suspect that they are after my real estate which is considerable…I later learnt that many men have gone through the same scheme by their spouses.‛ -52years, married, 6 children, Nairobi County
had taken me out; I romantically sucked her breast unaware that they were laced with the drug, one thing led to another. To my surprise in the morning she claimed I had raped her and she threatened to report. I had to part with some cash every weekend to silence her. If it was the opposite, it would be like murder case and I would be arrested, charged immediately and rotting behind bars -23 years, University Student. Nairobi County
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‚My wife and I are strange bedfellows; I am ashamed to say that my conjugal rights are compromised. Whenever I need sex, I have to pay either in cash or in kind and in very rare circumstances free when she is in a good mood… this is driving me crazy and I am contemplating divorce.‛
11. ‚The magistrate imprisoned me without fully considering my evidence. It was framed rape and I was the scapegoat. I had never seen the complainant nor was I near the place where she was raped. The magistrate took her word as fact since she appeared very emotional in court. Now I am an innocent inmate in prison because of the fact that the complainant was a female.‛ -37 years separated with 3 children ‚Nairobi County.
-28 years, married, Nairobi County 5.
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‚Men are my most frequent visitors in my clinic. Most of them have developed stress related conditions and need to be separated with wives in order to heal, but where will you take them? Safe homes in Kenya are a vocabulary that needs to be sorted urgently. Naturally men believe that they are tough and when the going gets tough, the tough gets going which is not always the formula to any problem.‛ -42 years, married, Sociology, Nairobi County ‚Many wives nag the husbands for a lifestyle that they can hardly afford; forcing majority of men to corrupt financial transactions and criminal activities. This is one common emotionally abuse that men are subjected to by their wives in this capital. I am personally a victim of this abuse regularly, she even tells me to buy her a car while I own none‛ -32 years, married with 3 children, Nairobi County ‚I work in a studio in a local broadcasting station. Most of my colleges are young ladies…I am the butt of jokes and they make scathing remarks about me. Sometimes they sexually harass me by showing off their privates so as to get irritated and resign. Whenever something goes wrong in the studio, they point accusing fingers at me although in most cases I am not to blame. My boss believes them without question since he has love affair with them and am forced the hard tasks as they get promotion at my expense, no choice but to bear the burden of torture.‛ -31 years married with 4 children Nairobi County ‚Women have become experts in arranging accidents and where especially if their husbands are well endowed financially. Authorities should look deep enough in any suicide, drowning or any innocent looking accident involving affluent individuals. They might get a big surprise. My business partner died on mysterious circumstances, he was discovered drowned in a dam, but his Range Rover Sports was missing. Investigations revealed that the wife was the mastermind behind the murder and the disappearance of the state of the art vehicle, after her arrest, it was discovered that she was a key suspect.‛
-41years, married 4 children, Nairobi County
5:3 County 2 - Kiambu Kiambu County has a negative history when it comes to gender and domestic violence related matters. Its inhabitants are known to have certain negative aspects that do not endear them much to the rest of the other Counties particularly in regard to women. It is common knowledge that women in this place will stop at nothing to make a fast buck. Many cases abound where men return to their ancestral homes laden with only some clothes in a paper bag minus all the wealth invested in Kiambu County left behind intact. The basic common misfortune of many men who have once married Kiambu women are victims of eviction with only their clothes on their back having forfeited their wealth to their wives. According to respondents interviewed, men in Kiambu County are at the mercy of women and if a man goes against the wishes of his wife he is doomed to fail. He might be poisoned, bewitched, disabled mentally or outright killed. It is no wonder that this County has registered a high number of wealthy male deaths which remains mysterious while others maintain that they are normal accidents by thugs which was refuted by facts. According to a majority of respondents, most of them had common views on the following:1. It showed that a total of over 176,000 men in Kiambu County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 2. The study revealed that an average of over 120,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 60,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 3. It revealed that an average of over 56,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 28,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 4. 8 out of 10 spousal killings are female oriented and cut across property and love triangles and happen in all classes of society. 5. 50% of Kiambu men are victims of economic exploitation by women due to high rate of prostitution and sex blackmail. 6. 95% abused men reported that their phones were regularly scrutinized by their wives and sometimes forced to leave behind their phones with their wives when going to work.
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6 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse from the first wife. 7 out of 10 men in this county are blackmailed by their spouses in order to enjoy their conjugal rights. It showed that male mortality rate in this county is alarming with men dying before their 50th birthday, no wonder, you find relatively young widows in their late 30’s. Some men’s deaths are premeditated and masterminded by wives, girlfriends, exes, sometimes relatives who are next of kin. Many men die mysteriously after prolonged domestic disputes in to what respondents said were women oriented deaths. Many respondents said that if a man from another county marries a woman from Kiambu County, one should be careful since chances of manipulation by the wife and relatives are high. It showed that 4 out of 10 men ended up losing property after unwillingly investing in his in-laws backyard. The study showed that 2 out of 10 men have lost their lives and property and the most affected are men who have invested in real estate where they are conned after giving in to developing plots owned by their spouses who later turn against them. Private hospitals in the county according to respondents have become death traps for men. These points to one thing according to majority respondents that some doctors have been compromised by unscrupulous women to inject poisonous substances to their spouses due to money and property. The study showed that this county was leading in the number of young windows after mysterious demise of their husbands. According to the opinion of most people Kiambu County is a danger zone for men and to get a bride one should be very careful to make the right choice. 7 out of 10 marriages, women are dictators and dominate visually everything where the husbands have no say in matters of family and children including the sharing of their salaries. 9 out of 10 career women are unmarried and have 1 or 2 children 8 out of 10 women were very particular with economic status of prospective husbands before marriage. 9 out of 10 marriages started with a come we stay. 5 out of 10 marriages separated after 2 to 4 years 80% married women would not write husbands as next of kin. 60% married men write their mother or sisters as next of kin. 40% married men wish to write children as next of kin. 20% men have no problem writing wives as next of kin. Men living in the urban area are prone to domestic abuse more than those in the rural areas. The study showed that elderly men above ages 65 years are more venerable to abuse than women of the same age. Women adamantly refuse to pay alimony to men living with kids. Women use children born out of wedlock as bait to exploit men by demanding exorbitant alimony expenses. A majority of men are more deeply affected by abuse leading them to suicide, stress, depression and chronic diseases i.e. high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes. Many men as a result turn to alcohol, drugs and substance abuse for solace.
5:4 Some serialized comments from respondents in Kiambu County:1. When my wife is not at home, she is in her father’s home which is mile away. My mother in-law has a habit of passing by my home and I have on several occasions seen my wife and her mother chatting over the fence in whispers. When I ask my wife what they are always discussing, she is evasive, I am afraid that my inlaws are invading my privacy and my relationship is deteriorating.‛-27 years, married, 2 children Kiambu County
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‚A plot to kill my brother by the wife was unveiled by police. She was trapped the day the murder was to be executed and arrested and charged with attempted murder. She was later freed on grounds of insufficient evidence. I wonder which evidence the police sought.‛-36 years, married, 4 children Kiambu County
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‚Some women get married with hidden intensions of exploiting the husband, In this community there are several cases of this category where some women take advantage of their husbands, Little did they know that all of this would come to an end in the most unexpected way, also little did they know that their wives held ambitions of their own secretly. All their property including the plots, business stock, savings and household property are stolen in cohorts with other people where the men are left paupers with nothing to hold on.‛ -38 years, married 2 children Kiambu County
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‚I am not sure where her wife is almost all nights since she claims that she is always on night duty at the hospital. The man suspects she is cheating on him and says he loves his kids but not prepared to continue doing household chores. When he tries to explain himself to her she turns violent, batters and abuses him in front of the kids and sometimes threatens him with death if he dares live her. He was contemplating suicide in the time of the study; we had to first help by counseling him to abandon the idea.‛
-30 years, unmarried FGD participant, Kiambu County 5.
‚I am a junior clerical officer in a government ministry. My wife comes from a very well up family. Recently, to my surprise I found a brand-new Toyota Harrier in our compound. Upon inquiry, she informed me that it belonged to her, bought by her father. My opinion was not sought over the matter, I begrudge her new car but she is worth sharing it with me. Now she tells all and sundry that she is the real master of the house, it is so distressing, sometimes I feel like living my own life without a wife.‛ -39 years, married with 3 children, Kiambu County
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‚I am a staunch born again Christian, whenever I go home late; she suspects me of having extra-marital affairs, she denies me sex and slaps me with impunity, I can’t share with anyone, I have tried suicide more than seven times; this was not my expectations in marriage.‛
-26 years, married 2 children Kiambu County 7.
Death plots and threats are a weapon some women together with male accomplices are using to intimidate and terrorize men into abandoning their property or sell their property at a throw away price. In most of these cases the man’s wife is behind this scheme. I am a victim of these type of abuse and I was left a pauper after selling my property at a throw away price, not knowing that my wife was behind the plan to freeze my property and divorce me later.‛ -49 years, divorced, Kiambu County
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‚I retired last year from civil service and it seems things are not going the normal way in my family currently. My children are all adults above 18 years and instead of celebrating my successful achievements in life, my house wife has embarked on a smear campaign to gang up with my children against me on alleged grounds that she is the one who has managed the family throughout their lives. It is unbelievable; this has caught me unaware and affected my health, I have been diagnosed with chronic ulcers.‛-55 years, married 7 children, Kiambu County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚Am a pastor but the life I live with my legal wife is hell on earth, she insults me and abuses me like any other atheist. When I mention separation she becomes aggressive even to our children. I trust that she will change and be the angle I married 5 years back. One day she smashed the windows of our new car after telling her to change her satanic behaviors‛ -37 years, 3 children, Kiambu County 9.
‚Cases of house detention are a lot but they receive little attention as they are done in secret by through devious means by wives with ulterior motives. Men don’t usually detain wives; detained men are usually blackmailed, abused, traumatized or even bewitched. The motive is superiority wrangles as women push to do as they wish without interference. Men in this category are weaker physically and mentally. - Psychology, Kiambu County
10. The mind set of society including Judges, magistrates, lawmakers, prosecutors and implementers is prejudiced with the concept that its only men who are potential perpetrators while women are victims. So the big challenge is how to remove this prejudice as justice cannot be implemented fairly.‛
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- Stakeholder Kiambu County 14. 5:5 County 3- Kilifi ‚Kuingia Mombasa ni rahisi, kutoka ni Ngumu‛ So the popular Swahili language adage goes. This is very much true for Kenya second largest port City. Not only does this apply to women but also to men. Men are most venerable to the glitter and easy going life of this County. Married men posted to the County have abandoned their families and hardly ever go home upcountry to their families. Since it is a cosmopolitan City cultural values are non-existent. Upcountry men are bewitched by ‚Majinni‛ and end up being sex slaves of coastal women who even use them as drug conduits and peddlers. It is a fact that witchcraft is prevalent in this County. Men tourists are at very high risk from women prostitutes who con them into marriage and induce them to invest in real estate in the County. Afterwards the poor man is divorced and is forced to return home with the women inheriting property unfairly. This has given women of the Coast a bad name internationally. Kilifi is a neighbor to Mombasa County with more population. 1.
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The study showed that foreigners living in Kilifi County are victims of gender and domestic abuse and violence in the hands of foreign women counterparts and local women. 150.000 men are survivors of gender abuse of all kind. The study revealed that an average of over 58,000 men experienced emotional abuse in their lifetime while over 29,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. It showed that a total of over 83,000 men in Kilifi County are affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. An average of over 16,000 men experienced economical and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 8,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 4 out of 10 spousal killings are female oriented and cut across property and love triangles and happen in all classes of society. 60% Kilifi men residents are victims of economic exploitation by women due to the high rate of prostitution and sex blackmail. 8 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of domestic abuse and violence from the first wife.
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The study showed strange points where some men were forced to sleep with invisible women and or mammoths and pulled their genitals and their necks choked. 75% men who were abused reported that their phones were regularly scrutinized by their wives and sometimes forced to leave behind their phones with their wives when going to work. Majority of married men posted to the County have abandoned their families and hardly ever go home upcountry to their families. Since it is a cosmopolitan City cultural values are nonexistent. Upcountry men are bewitched by ‚jinni‛ and end up being sex slaves of coastal women who even use them as drug conduits and peddlers. It is a fact that witchcraft is very prevalent in this County. Men tourists are at very high risk from women prostitutes who con them into marriage and induce them to invest in real estate in the County. Afterwards the poor man is divorced and is forced to return to his home with the women inheriting his property. This has tarnished Coast women nationally and internationally. During the study MAWE conducted rescue mission case of some foreigners trying to recover their property after being conned by spouses and girlfriends. Local women after working for these foreigners for months as the house keepers later claim marital rights as legally married and demand half share of property. Many men are junkies who lack production and managerial values due to laziness that has been contributed by drug abuse particularly hard drugs. The study showed that 5 out of 10 men have no say or contribution on family planning matters of their family. 9 out of 10 wealthy married men have less than 3 children. 8 out of 10 families whose income is below average have more than 5 children. A majority of poor families have more than 6 children. 70% Muslim families have more than 5 children. Majority of the Somali families have more than 8 children.
5:6 Some serialized comments by respondents in Kilifi County:1. ‚Law makers should stop in their tracks and review some of the laws empowering women unfairly. Some of the laws are outrageous and will act as a powder keg for increased gender violence against the male gender in the near future. -31 years married with 3 children Kilifi County 2.
‚I am a farmer, married with four children. My wife is a born again Christian. Since I don’t go to church she has personified me as the very devil himself. That does not get me worried at all but the type of person she has become. No conjugal rights and she shifted to my children’s bedroom. She is an extremist usually condemning my every move. She has become a stranger not caring about me or my property but taking refuge in the church almost all weekends and caring more on the pastor than family.‛ -40 years, married 3 children, Kilifi County
3.
‚My wife has been a dictator in my life, for instance whenever we go out for shopping or fun, I am burdened with the role of carrying our toddler. When I object the idea she denies me sex on end days and talks rude and shouts at me with impunity. When I threaten her with separation she swears that she will commit suicide that day. I suppose she is taking me for granted due to me soft approach to issues but enough is enough as men who see me carrying our child look at us with disdain.‛ -33 years, married 3 children, Kilifi County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4.
‚My wife thinks that I have married another woman and calls me a prostitute; she alleges that am having an affair with an old woman and threatens me with separation. That does not worry me more since I have the right to do what I wish but sometimes she does not talk to me for a fortnight even after enjoying conjugal rights regularly.‛ -38 years, married, Kilifi County
5.
‚There was an incident that happened to my friend since the day he got married; her mother-in-law made it a habit of visiting his family almost every weekend with a hidden motive. After the mother in-law leaves, the wife starts abusive words telling him that he was not her right choice of man because they are from different tribes. These disturb the man to a point of depression. He is mentally disturbed and has become insane as a result due to regular abuse.‛ -17-25 years, unmarried Kilifi County
6.
‚Handicapped men are usually prone to all sorts of domestic abuse. Some women do not care for their handicapped spouses; instead a majority of women think it’s time to take revenge on the helpless man on real or imagined deeds of the past. I am a physically disabled man after an accident that left me totally disabled. Since then I live a life full of sorrows daily. My wife has turned my house into a brothel, exchanging men has been the order of the day. When I ask her she threatens to evict me. Sometimes am starved for days with a single meal daily as she spends most of the nights out abusing alcohol with friends. Lack of mobility has kept me alive, if I had the ability to walk I would buy poison and kill myself like yesterday.‛ -38 years, married, Kilifi County
7.
‚My wife is physically stronger and when she means it, she wrestles me down with kicks and jabs but only when she is sexually aroused. I cannot bare this any longer. We live in our ancestral land where currently I do menial jobs as she works in the Ministry of Agriculture.‛ -25 years, married, Kilifi County
8.
‚Am a survivor of physical abuse, never mind when you see more and more men suffering from nervous breakdown and others committing suicide. Prevention is better than cure.‛ -30 years married 2 children Kilifi County
9.
‚When I got married business started charging to worst. My wife had encouraged in-laws to take credit. They owe a substantial amount of money and it is difficult to demand payment from in laws.‛ -30 years married 6 children Kilifi County
10. ‚It has been established that employers favor the female gender in job situation; women are promoted more and receive relatively more pay in the same job group-This gender gap is also a driver of domestic violence in a situation where the woman is the bread winner. Who will save the male gender from glaring these disparities‛. -22 years Female youth Kilifi County 11. ‚We guys are potentially at risk from female, we are considered like ‘cash crops’ by women gold diggers who target males for a variety of reasons ranging from financial blackmail, forced sex and paternity issues, even our pocket savings as students are at risk from female colleagues who make sure they have dried us up.‛- 21 year, University Student Kilifi County
5:7 County 4- Nyeri Nyeri County is no more the place that was labeled as worst in husband abuse and violence in previous researches. However isolated cases which were highlighted in the media portrayed the County as leading in domestic violence and abuse. Suffice to say, this County is gaining its lost glory since cases of gender abuse have decreased drastically compared to other Counties. This county has gained fame where currently men have trained themselves in marital arts to avoid being battered by their wives. Men respondents in this County gave views on selective gender empowerment programs and funding as a major reason for separations and divorce in marriages. The study dwelt on Women Fund that was created by the government to empower women economically. Initially the fund was established with a good motive of lifting women’s economic standards but later breed adverse effects on men particularly those in the marriage bracket, creating more problems than it has solved. The study analyzed some of pertinent issues raised by men on selective gender empowerment on government loans and registered the following results:1. A total of over 36,000 men in Nyeri County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 2. The study revealed that an average of over 26,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 13,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 3. An average of over 10,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 5,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 4. The study revealed that 4 out of 10 spousal killings are female oriented and cut across property and love triangles and happen in all classes of society. 5. The study showed that in over 40% of Nyeri county men residents are victims of economic slavery by women due to the high rate of prostitution, sex blackmail and infidelity. 6. 65% men who were abused reported that their phones were regularly scrutinized by their wives and sometimes forced to leave behind their phones with their wives when going to work. 7. 3 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of domestic abuse and violence from the first wife. 8. Women in this County are importing magic concoctions from neighboring Kirinyaga County and using this abracadabra to manipulate and confuse their husbands. 9. 7 out of 10 households have one sort of magic concoction or another as part of wife arsenal to control their men. 10. It is worrying to see once intelligent men becoming more stupid and senile day in day out as alcohol take effect. 11. Kirinyaga County which neighbors Nyeri holds the dubious distinction of being the brewer and the headquarters of illicit brews of Central Kenya. 12. Some men in this County will take their whole end month pay home and then beg spending money from their wives. 13. If a woman thinks that his man is becoming too tough or seems he knows all the answers. She rushes to Kirinyaga County and gets the magic concoction and presto! His husband becomes another child in the family. 14. 6 out of 10 women who were facilitated with government loans were boasted by their husbands and where the husbands failed to pay up the property was auctioned.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 15. 3 out of 10 women forge their husband’s signature and use their identification card copy and also use the family property as collateral for loan without the man’s consent. 16. 4 out of 10 women who access government loans don’t allow their husbands participation in their business and don’t share their profits with their husbands but expects them to bail them out in case of bankruptcy. 17. 4 out of 10 women who were facilitated government loans were unable to service their loans and were boasted by their husbands. Where husbands failed to pay loan, the property was auctioned. 18. 30% of the women having squandered the loans are unwilling or unable to pay and thus desert their houses leaving their husbands to foot the bill. 19. 7% as a result of defaulting to pay loans stage manage devious actions like arson having removed important articles from the house with hope of seeking sympathy from loaners and friends who organize fundraisers. Cases of this nature have been reported to the police. 20. 30% of women who access loans have extramarital affairs. 21. 70% of husbands of women who access government loans suffer emotional abuse regularly and treated as puppets with disrespect since women do the family roles. 22. The study showed that government’s funds have caused a sharp increase in the rate of separations and divorce cases with increased cases of homicide and suicide by irate husbands after their property is auctioned while others are left with children after they decamp off with the money. 23. Majority of women who are successful after accessing loans buy and register property and business in their mothers or sisters names with men having no right to inherit in case of death. 5:8 Some serialized comments from respondents in Nyeri County:1. ‚I have been a depressed man for over ten years now; my divorce case has delayed all this time due to unwarranted postponement by the court and lawyers. I think the idea is for me to give up or die in the process of waiting for justice. The bond of contention is property sharing and unfortunately all the proceeds of the rental apartments go to the account of my wife even after requesting the court to share the profits equally till the case is heard and determined. I have thought of fratricide as a solution but fate disallows. I am fed up, I either get court justice or take the law in my hands, I cannot wait any longer!‛ -43 years, separated with 5 children, Nyeri County 2.
‚Whatever a man can do a woman can do better’ this is nonsense- We applied for money for the youth development. The criteria used to disburse this money were unfair. 12 in number, 5 females and 7 males, all the females got the money whereas only one of us got it...‛ -27 years, married with 1 child, Nyeri County
3.
‚Some of the views of public aired by media invite a lot of scathing remarks and nonsense from females against men. This amounts to hate speech which results into unprecedented wave of violence against men which include grievous bodily harm, genital mutilating and murder. It is hard to imagine a woman’s comments on local TV saying ‘’Hawa wanaume tutaendelea kuwakata? Meaning, ‚We are going to continue chopping off men’s genitals.‛ This comments invited a lot of public outrage, MAWE called on the immediate arrest of the woman culprit who made the remarks but no action was taken by the police on this matter.‛ -29 years, married, 3 children Nyeri County
4.
‚My wife’s relatives, with the encouragement of my wife have a habit of sending their numerous young children to join ours over the weekend. The din and chaos is incredible. My efforts to correct this have caused rifts with my in-laws. They say that I am a child hater. Instead of spending peaceful weekends at home, I am forced to seek alternative avenues of relaxation.‛ -29 years, married, three children, Nyeri County
5.
Some women use their husband’s identification card to facilitate loans with one of the women Trust Banks without their knowledge where the property of the men becomes collateral for a loan. ‚She took a Loan of 4 Million which she invested secretly with in-laws. Inevitably all my property fell under the auctioneer’s hammer- meanwhile she disappeared into the blues but of late I have reliable information on her whereabouts at Nairobi where she opened a business in partnership with her two sisters.‛ -39 years, married 4 children, Nyeri County
6.
‚Economic exploitation is rife all over. It is a fact that men are paid more than women in the village when it comes to manual jobs that require man power but in comparison with the urban areas, women are paid more and sometimes with less academic qualifications and have greater chances of promotion, this is pushing the man to the rural areas in farming venture while a majority of young ladies migrate to the urban places for white collar jobs which they get with lower academic qualifications than men.‛ -29 years, married 2 children, Nyeri County
7.
‚Among this community, there is a trend where after active employment most men are subjected to all manner of torture by their wives intentionally in order to accelerate their death, in these community, a majority of the families only have graves of once hard working men whose deaths were caused after a series of emotional abuse and torture well planned by their wives. Personally am a victim and am treated as a stranger due to my age, I have since divorced my wife for fear of falling in the same trap of fellow age mates but I still love my children who have joined up with the mother to stage a coup de grace against me. My friend went through the same ordeal but succumb after been slowly poisoned by the wife. ‛ -56 years, divorced, Nyeri County
8.
‚I used to be a man of means with property, 2 hardware business shops, a decent house and personal cars. My wife of three years used to manage the shops while I was in real estate in Thika town. I was shocked to realize later that my wife had transferred the ownership of my seven plots and business to her name without my knowledge. On enquiry she turned aggressive threatening me with death if I dare report the matter to police. Immediately I discovered I was conned. Since then my life is full of depression and stress.‛ -36 year’s, Separated Nyeri County
9.
‚Women feminist campaigns are outdated and a thing of the past. Women have now been empowered relatively more than men and unless they have other vested interest they should invest their energy in creating comfortable and peaceful families void of domestic violence.‛ -29 years married with 3 children Nyeri County
10. ‚A female student threatened framed up charges of sexual molestation if I did not award her good grades, another blackmailed me for sex and money lest I would be in for false sexual assault.‛ -University male lecturer ‚Nyeri County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 11. ‚We were happily married with my wife and had good relationship with in laws, but after her death due to a road accident I had to go to her ancestral home to claim land that she inherited from her parents. The normal cordial relationship was no more since no one including the parents of my wife wanted to see me after learning my intentions. One day I was almost killed by goons after a meeting with the in laws about occupying the disputed land while going home, I realized that my live was in danger and from that day henceforth we became enemies and was robbed the piece of land. I reported to the area chief and police but all in vain. It is a fact that men have no rights‛
-39 years single father 4 children, Nyeri County
5:9 County 5 ” Meru Meru County is the hub for Miraa trade after Kenya government set aside funds to support Miraa like other cash crops. The amended Crops Act will make the crop to benefit from government budgetary funding. The farmers have now legal backing to chew, grow, harvest and sell Miraa produce in the country without any hindrances. The Mediated Version of the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill No 2 makes minor amendments to the Crops Act to recognize Miraa as cash crop. The Act obligates the National Government to establish mechanisms for promotion, production, distribution and marketing of Miraa as a cash crop. What the act misses to address is the issue of abuse by under age and gaps have been left since the under 18 particularly boys are at risks of abusing Miraa like it has been the norm where all including women and children chew Miraa freely without taking note of the side effects of the substance. No wonder it has been normal for miraa to be produced in some churches as material offerings. The following results were registered in Meru county:1. A total of over 106,000 men in Meru County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 2. The study revealed that an average of over 66,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 33,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 3. An average of over 40,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 20,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 4. 8 out of 10 abused men said that their marriage relationship was hell and regretted having married since their economic status showed dismal improvement compared to when they were unmarried. 5. Meru women were most aggressive than others from other communities where assaulting men was a common phenomenon. 6. Many women hear were aggressive when denied conjugal rights by men which led to battering them in the bedroom. 7. 8 out of 10 men chew Miraa while 4 out of 10 women chew Miraa in this County. 8. 2 out 10 men in this county have been severely affected Miraa chewing and have been reduced to zombies since they are addicted and chew on day and night ends. 9. It showed that majority of men who chew Miraa are abused by their wives and spend most of their nights in town Centre’s due to fear of abuse when they go home. 10. 7 out of 10 married men in this county were forced by circumstances to get into marriage. 11. 6 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of domestic abuse and violence from the first wife.
12. 8 out of 10 men who chew Miraa have more than 2 missing teeth’s due to its hazardous effects. 13. This county is known for the exportation of women since a majority of them are more educated than men and prefer been married by other men in other communities. 14. 4 out of 10 men who chew Miraa rarely take baths and don’t share same beds with their wives. 15. It showed cases of separation were rampant in this county. 16. It showed that 3 out of 10 men who have separated with their wives stay with the children. 17. It showed that this county is an exporter of young men to other counties since dropout rate is high. 18. 2 out of 10 men have not enrolled in schools at all. 19. 1 out of 10 men admitted that their lives are under death threats from their wives and had reported to the police. 20. 3% of men sleep in panic that their violent wives might chop off their genitals. 21. 5 out of 10 men were not ready to marry a woman with children from previous relationship. 22. 1 out of 10 men is forced to do house chores i.e. cooking, cleans the house, utensils, baths the kids while some babysit while the wife goes out with friends on weekends. 23. 90% of husbands who are regularly abused share different beds with their wives and are denied conjugal right which has resulted to increase of marital rape. 24. In job opportunities and interviews, a higher percentage of females are recruited with lower grades than males. 25. It showed that there is an upsurge of migration of young women to urban areas in such of white collar jobs that require lower grades than compared with men with similar qualifications and has led to the male youths been edged with limited vacancies that only require man power in the industries or farming sector. 5:10 Some serialized comments from respondents in Meru County:When visitors come calling, I am worried stiff about the behavior of my wife. Not that she is rude or impolite to them no, but it is her attitude towards me and the character she portrays about me that makes me mad. She automatically assumes patronizing altitudes, usually sidelining my comments and leaving no doubt who is the head of the house. She makes scathing jokes about me in front of visitors. This has been very embarrassing as a man, battering her won’t work, probably divorce will.‛ -46 years, married, 4 children Meru County. 1.
‚Sexual assault against men is the order of the day in this community with a majority of women becoming sexual deviates. ‚Every time that my wife needs sex she becomes violent, she batters me weekly and my back and legs are full of scars with mouth bites. I persisted the abuse because I love her but of late she has settled on my manhood, pulling and squeezing my genitals and sometimes threatening to chop them off, it has been so painful to let go, no matter how much I love her I have given up, am not alone in this problem, most women in this community behave like this. MAWE should create awareness campaigns.‛ -40 years, single father 2 Children Meru County.‛
2.
‚My wife’s friend is a professional gossiper, I usually meet her in my house talking evil about peoples husbands to everyone she comes across, am worried that this character assassination is a threat to my family, it drives me crazy. Women here have the habit of washing dirty linen in public giving their men sleepless nights.‛-36 years, with 5 children, separated, Meru County‛
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
‚Am a pastor by profession, my wife started being unbecoming and rude regularly, with the hope that things will change to the better, she went ahead to tarnish my reputation in church. Now am under siege, she batters me and threatens to extend the violence in front of members of my church. Am going through hell but cannot reveal this to anybody due to the status of my work. I came to realize that this is the norm to many of my fellow pastors in churches, at least we are consoling each other but this emotional abuse has really affected our performance as pastors.‛ -48 years, married, 4 children Meru County.‛
4.
‚I am a victim of physical violence but am not ready to make a report on the same, as a person of high political profile, where do you expect me to report? The police will link my family affairs and will lead to voters losing faith in me. I would rather suffer in silence and save my career in active politics. I have contemplated to revenge in all means; otherwise my wife cannot be the stumbling block to my career advancement. I still sympathies with her as the mother of my children but I cannot tolerate this nagging life any longer‛ -36 years, married, Meru County‛
5.
‚My wife usually pretends to be deaf when I come home at night. On several nights I have slept out either in the car or servant quarters ” in the morning we have a terrible row but she is unrepentant hinting that I should come home earlier or sleep wherever I was. Suppose I am robbed or killed right outside my house? Sometimes I think that that’s her wish so that she can inherit my wealth as that has been the norm in our community.‛ -40 years, married to 3 wives, 3 children, Meru County
6.
‚A neighbor has been subjected to all manner of abuses by his wife and children for years. His sons and wife have been subjecting him to physical assault and now he is a traumatized man. Once when he forced his wife to have sex, the woman cried for help and all the sons came and beat up the poor man at midnight. He had to pack and go and rent a room at the local town where he lives alone with everyone including his sons deserting him.‛ -59 years, married 5 children Meru County.‛
7.
‚Some inmates in prison accused of rape and defilement are innocent. I deal with them on a daily basis as prison warder and there are no secrets in prison, I can assure you that half of these cases are framed up and the inmates are innocent. Judges and magistrates especially women are in a haste to cart them to jail once rape is mentioned, no wonder appeals show insufficient evidence.‛-32 years, married, 5 children Meru County
8.
‚I am a survivor of regular physical violence; I have lost three of my fingers from mouth bites by my wife and am worried that she might kill me one day. Love of my children has kept me in the relationship. This has also affected my career since many of my customers seem to be aware of my violent private life‛ -29 years, married, 3 children Meru County.‛
9.
‚My wife suspects me unnecessarily, when I go home early she tells me that am concealing infidelity, when I go home late at night she says I was out with a women, when I don’t go home overnight she says I have married another woman, am left baffled but all in all I love her as long as she is not violent.‛
10. -26 years, married, Meru County‛
11. ‚I separated with my wife 3 years ago, since then she denied me visitation rights, to my surprise all my salary is diverted to her while am left with nothing for food, courts are biased to men.‛ -37 years separated Meru County ‚ 5:11 County 6 ” Kisii The following results were registered in Kisii County:1. The study showed a total of 72,000 men in Kisii County are affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 2. The study revealed that an average of over 54,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 27,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 3. An average of over 18,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 9,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 4. The study showed that a majority of people who engage in brewing and selling illicit brews are women. 5. 4 out of 10 women who access government loans don’t allow their husbands participation in their business and don’t share their profits with their husbands but expects them to bail them out in case of bankruptcy. 6. 6 out of 10 women who were facilitated with government loans were unable to service them and were boasted by their husbands and where the husbands failed to pay up the loan, the family property was auctioned. 7. 20% of the women are unwilling or unable to pay and desert their houses leaving their husbands to foot the bill. 8. 7% women after defaulting stage manage devious actions like arson having removed households with the hope of seeking sympathy from loaners and friends who organize contributions. Cases of this nature are common. 9. The study showed that 3 out of 10 women who access government loans have extramarital affairs. 10. 5 out of 10 men are polygamists where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse and violence from the first wife. 11. 70% husbands of women who have accessed government loans suffer emotional abuse regularly and are treated as puppets with disrespect since the wife does most of the family roles as she is economically empowered. 5:12 Some serialized comments from respondents in Kisii County:1. ‚I was stabbed by my wife after a domestic row, she lives in her parents rural home and to date she has never been arrested. On enquiry am told by the police that I should forget her and that women are many.‛ -32 years, separated 2 children Kisii County 2.
‚My wife separated from me on very flimsy grounds that I was not giving her enough money. I drink moderate, I am not violet, I feed, educate and cloth my family. My wife is insatiable and greedy so is my in-laws. She has gone to women rights defenders where to my surprise all my salary was attached as maintenance allowances. I have been left with nothing to sustain myself, since then I don’t see the need to continue working. I better resign and hustler menial jobs than face abuse daily. -29 years, married 3 children Kisii County
3.
‚I am a senior bachelor. People don’t take me seriously because of my status, I am learned, employed in a position of power but to society I am useless. An unmarried woman or divorced in my position commands respect and attention. This has caused a lot of emotional distress in my life, particularly directed from the female gender.‛ -43 year senior bachelor Kisii County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4.
‚Upon retirement I returned home to a different environment, once there was bliss and respect, my family had changed without my notice. Now I am subjected to neglect and my grown up sons who I successfully educated to university level have no time for me. They are always phoning their mother where as I only get occasional calls. Were it not for my pension, I think I would starve to death due to neglect.‛ -56 years, married, 6 children, Kisii County
5.
‚My wife rarely follows instructions at home, simple routine tasks are neglected and when asked she raises tantrums and changes her moods for days on end… To avoid this situation, I keep peace by reserving my comment; it is so frustrating as the head of the family.‛ -52 years, married with 3 children, Kisii County
6.
‚When my wife is not at home, she is in her father’s home which is not far away. My mother in-law has a habit of passing by my home and I have on several occasions seen my wife and her mother chatting over the fence in whispers. When I ask my wife what they are always discussing about, she is evasive, I am afraid that my in-laws are invading my privacy since my relationship is deteriorating.‛ -37 years, married, 3 children Kisii County
7.
‚Women are more violent than men when it comes to domestic violence, I quarreled with my wife because of financial mismanagement of business and the next thing she did was to stab me with a kitchen knife. We separated and I have no plans to marry another killer wife in future, I hate them!.‛
-30 years, married, Kisii County 8.
‚I was assaulted by my wife in front of children and neighbors because of not buying Christmas gifts. I reported the matter to the nearest police post but the police downplayed the whole story and said that they have other important matters ahead. I continued living with her and of late she threatens to repeat the same and swears that nothing will be done to her even if I report.‛ -28 years, married 2 children, Kisii County
9.
In every 2 out of 5 murders featuring contract killers, a woman is involved. Most are wives of victims and turn into violent schemers so as to inherit property of their husbands unfairly. The prospect of becoming a victim is very high in Kenya.
5:13 County 7 ” Nakuru 1. It showed that the rampant cases of cattle rustling in this county are due to a large part as a result of neglect of the male child. Majority of boys in this county and its environs don’t go to school and have been taught in cattle rustling tactics as a lifestyle. 2. A total of over 72,000 men in Nakuru County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 3. The study revealed that an average of over 54,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 27,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 4. An average of 18,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 9,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 5. 2 out of 10 boys in this county have not enrolled in school 6. This county was leading in illiteracy among men. 7. Dowry matters are a major driver of boys engaging in cattle rustling at the expense of education since one is forced to pay heavy dowry demands of tens of cows to be allowed to marry. 8. 2 out of 10 men did not go to school and spend most of their live herding livestock. 9. 6 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of domestic abuse and violence from the first wife. 10. 2 out of 10 men have not enrolled in schools at all. 11. 1 out of 10 men admitted that their lives are under death threats from their wives and had reported to the police. 12. 8 % of men sleep in panic that their violent wives might chop off their genitals. 13. 6 out of 10 men were not ready to marry a woman with children from previous relationship. 14. 2 out of 10 men is forced to do house chores like i.e. cooking, cleaning the house, utensils, bathing the kids while some babysit while the wife goes out for fun with friends on weekends. 15. 60% of husbands who are regularly abused share different beds with their wives and are denied conjugal right which has resulted to increase of marital rape. 5:14 Some serialized comments from respondents in Nakuru County:1. ‚A majority of men are vehemently denied conjugal rights almost daily, but where can you go and report this violence. Everyone is going to laugh at you with contempt. You end up suffering in silence to a point of divorce.‛ -35 years, married Nakuru County
-49 years, divorced, Kisii County 2.
‚My God fearing wife has become a dictator, she insists that I join her church and actually get saved. Since I am not prepared to buy the idea she has manipulated my reproduction rights by refusing to conceive a second child. This is the fourth year now and I feel I cannot wait any longer. I have tried to convince her to stop family planning in order to fulfill my wish but all in vain. I have now settled to marry a second wife at least to accomplish my plans to have six children. I remember what she usually told me every time I enquired on having another child„No getting saved, no sex period but I couldn’t bear that blackmail!‛ -32 years, married, one child, Nakuru County
3.
‚My wife’s relatives are accorded a very warm welcome at my home whereas my relatives are regarded as a necessary nuisance and often receive lukewarm reception and acknowledgment. This behavior is about to break our marriage because even after talking to her, she has no signs of changing, it’s demoralizing and stressful.‛ -28 years, married with 1 child, Nakuru County
10. ‚When my wife was pregnant, she turned violent, I had to do all the household chores but she still continued to physically abuse me regularly hitting me with anything. She has also hit my genitals with firewood on several occasions. I had no problem helping her when she was pregnant but after delivery she insisted that there was no need of a house help and I had to continue with the duties of caring for her for 3 good months, I must say it was hell, from abusive insults to beatings, I don’t even believe she is the polite woman I married.‛
-33 years, married with 3 children, Kisii County 11. ‚Am embarrassed to tell my parents or report to the police due to ridicule by the society and be associated with the week men in the village as culture beckons. Her excessive sexual demands are a threat to my life. Of late I am unwell due to the physical beatings by my wife. We have three children and I am not wishing to divorce her. I want us to live separately but be assured of visitation rights.‛ -49 years, married 3 children, Kisii County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4.
5.
‚Discrimination against men exists in this community; most of the land here is owed by women since independence. This was done with the help of the government to empower women economically. Interestingly in the case of death, land is transferred to daughters of these women while sons are discriminated on the basis that the land was intended to be for women only. This has created a lot of animosity among the members of this community leading to inter gender hatred.‛
10. ‚I was forced to share my property with my wife of six months despite the fact that I had accumulated all these property alone for a span of 11 years. The court stipulated in an order that I give my wife half the property….. Her contribution did not warrant her to get even a dot of my property since we were married for less than six months, who will save man from this economic abuse and violence?‛ -43 years separated with 1 child Nakuru County
-33 years, married Nakuru County
11. ‚I was forced into paternity by my girlfriend who blackmailed me into sex, after delivery she started demanding cows as alimony through the village elders and administration. I was threatened with imprisonment; I parted with five bulls and seventeen goats and was left with only four cows and eight goats. Show me where the Law says so; I am planning a revenge operation, no matter what!‛ -Pastoralist Nakuru County
‚After a friend’s visit, my wife always starts a quarrel with no reasons; it has become a problem for friends to visit me, but when women visit, there is no problem. I have become the talk of the village that usually makes jokes that I have been sat on by my wife. I have bruises on my face, sometimes a swollen face. He has also choked my neck severally; I have survived five suicide attempts‛-27 years married with 1 child, Nakuru County
6.
‚I thought I was lucky to have married a beautiful woman; I was the envy of friends. She insisted that we move from our rural home to the town. Little did I know that she was lazy; she has grown obese and only stays in indoors watching TV and beautifying herself, am forced to do home chaos besides my work in boda boda.‛-35 years married 2 children Nakuru County
7.
My wife stole all my household property and went to live with parents in their ancestral home. Before then, she used to physically abuse me regularly. I married her with 3 children and she adamantly refused to conceive a biological child with me. We had only lived together for 2 years when one day after work I found my well-equipped house with modern state of the art equipment empty including my clothes and kitchen utensils. I thought of recovering them from her parent’s home but in vain. I reported the matter to the police and the area chief but all this was fruitless. I gave up but it has been a hell of time to recover to my earlier status. To make the matter worse she left me with one of the children who was not my biological child. Many men have gone through the same but have nowhere to report and I wonder whether the law allows such thefts. -37 years, single father, Nakuru County
8.
‚My life story is like a movie or drama, I and one of my wives are total strangers. After every three months she is on her feet back to her parents unreasonably. I neither abuse nor batter her but she always complains about my second wife. Elders have tried in vain to settle the dispute. In the actual sense, that does not stress me more than the fact that I am not the biological father of her two children whom she gave birth during our marriage. After insisting to know the truth, she becomes an expert in abusing and tarnishing my name all over the village. Selling my cows without my knowledge and freely sleeping with other men has been the norm. I have now been the laughingstock in my village. Am depressed, it has been traumatizing.‛
5:15 County 8 ” Machakos The following results were registered in this county:1. The study revealed that an average of over 40,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 20,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 2. It revealed an average of over 12,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 6,000 experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 3. It showed a total of over 52,000 men in this County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 4. It showed this county was leading in illiteracy among men. 5. 4 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse from first wife. 6. 7 out of 10 career women are not married and have 1 or not more than two 2 children. 7. 5 out of 10 marriages, women are dictators and dominate visually everything where the husbands have no say in matters of family and children including the sharing of their salaries. 8. 5 out of 10 women were very particular with economic status of prospective husbands before marriage. 9. 7 out of 10 marriages started with come we stay unions. 10. 4 out of 10 marriages separated after 2 to 4 years. 11. 60% married women would not wish to write their husbands as next of kin. 12. 50% of married men would wish to write their mother or sisters as the next of kin and not their wife. 13. 30% married men wish to write their children as next of kin. 14. 20% of men have no problem writing their wives as next of kin. 5:16 Some serialized comments from respondents in Machakos County:1. ‚My father in-law is demanding full dowry payments, worst of all, my wife is supporting him. If my memory serves me right, I have in the past helped to educate several of my in-laws. I am sure my wife is a party to this scheme and has vested interest if her own, most likely to separate after assurance that I have married her legally.‛ -30 years, married, 2 children Machakos County
-34 years, 2 wives 8 children, Nakuru County 2. 9.
Violence against the males is prevalent here, and to add an insult to injury a majority of men are vehemently denied conjugal rights almost daily, but where can you go and report this violence. Everyone is going to laugh at you in disdain. You end up suffering in silence but deep inside, your heart is wounded to a point of divorce.‛ -35 years, married, Nakuru County
‚Since my wife was elected as MCA, she changed like a chameleon and started treating me differently with no respect at all. Most women in either political or economic power treat their husbands as underlings and rarely do they consider their opinions in family matters as heads of families. Since then she has deserted me, am contemplating divorce and save myself from this anguish.‛ -50 years, separated, Machakos County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
‚Women are becoming more courageous in the quest for usurping power from men. I am an MCA, I noticed that already women are buying for power in my ward…saying whatever a man can do, a woman can do better’ and have started organizing aggressive rallies and demonstrations all over the country to counter my bid to be re-elected- Men must brace themselves for the impending aggression from women in the near future elections.‛ -35 years with 35 children Machakos County
4.
After retirement, my wife and children have turned against me and am like a stranger in my house. Not only do they connive to starve me but they also batter me when I happen to take one for the road. I must trend carefully in my home lest I annoy either of them. Consequently I enjoy no conjugal rights and sleep separate beds.‛ -59 years, married 7 children FGD, Machakos County
5.
‚My wife conned me into selling our farm which I un-write fully registered in her name and kept the money. I was dependent on her since I was jobless; consequently she controlled my fundamental freedoms and virtually imprisoned me at home. I regret daily.‛ -30 years married 2 children Machakos County
6.
‚Emotional abuse is like daily bread in my family, am a father of five daughters and two sons; my wife has the habit of dividing my family on gender basis, often favoring my teenage daughters and unnecessarily shielding them from me and my sons in the mistaken belief that men are potential rapists. We are like two separate families which should not be the case. This not only gives me emotional stress but has affected my sons who have developed hatred towards girls while girls hate their brothers. I learnt this after overhearing my children saying that they would not wish to be in marriage. This situation is the norm in many families.‛ -53 years, married, Machakos County
7.
My wife and I are working, I have attached most of my salary to mortgage, yet she expects me to pay all family bills causing a lot of strive and economic abuse on my part, am squeezed to the last penny while I have no right on her salary.‛ -34 years married with 2 kids Machakos County
8.
‚I am victim of emotional abuse perpetrated by my legal wife of 40 years and a commercial farmer about to retire, to my surprise she developed new characteristics, verbal and physiological abuse directed to me is like revenge for imagined past misdeeds. It is difficult to manage to an extent of contemplating suicide.‛ -54 years, married 4 children, Machakos County
9.
‚Due to repeated beatings when drank am unable to go to work the following day because of pain all over my body, It happens mostly when I receive my end week pay in a quarry mining, on asking my wife in the morning, she denies and insists I came home without a penny but when am not drank am not at risk of all this.‛ -29 years, married with 2 children Machakos County
10. Witchcraft which is associated with ancient history has made a tremendous comeback and is one of the most powerful weapons that modern women are using for vengeance and for controlling men. My neighbor’s son who was a successful banker has been reduced to a pitiful wreck by being bewitched by his stepmother. Many husbands are said to be controlled by power of magic instigated by their wives for selfish economic interests.‛
-26 years, married 2 children Machakos County
11. I know of a married friend living in a flat with 3 kids, two are in pre-school. Life used to be smooth but the man lost his job and the wife who is a nurse in the government hospital has made his life hell and laughingstock of neighbors. Since she is the breadwinner, she commands his man to babysit and nurse the young, wash their clothes including hers, cook and wash utensils.- 25 years, married FGD participant, Machakos County 5:17 County 9” Homa Bay The following results were registered in Kakamega County:1. The study revealed that an average of over 70,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 35,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 2. An average of over 39,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 19,500 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 3. A total of over 109,000 men in Homa Bay County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 4. Illiteracy among men in this county was very high. 5. 7 out of 10 women who were facilitated with government loans were boasted by their men and where the husbands failed to pay the loan, the family property was auctioned. 6. 5 out of 10 women forge their husband’s signature and use their identification card copy and also use the family property as collateral for loan without the man’s consent. 7. 3 out of 10 women who access government loans don’t allow their husbands participation in their business and don’t share their profits with their husbands but expects them to bail them out in case of bankruptcy. 8. 5 out of 10 women who were facilitated government loans were unable to service their loans and were boasted by husbands, upon failing to pay the property were auctioned. 9. 30% women having squandered the loans are unwilling or unable to pay desert their houses leaving their husbands to foot the bill. 10. 10% of them as a result of defaulting to pay loans stage manage devious actions like arson having first removed important articles from the house with the hope of seeking sympathy from loaners and friends who organize contributions. 11. 40% of women who access loans have extramarital affairs. 12. 70% of husbands of women who access government loans suffer emotional abuse regularly and treated as puppets with disrespect since the women do most of the family roles as she is economically empowered. 13. 5 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse from the first wife. 5:18 Some serialized comments from respondents in Homa Bay County:1. ‚My wife has embraced religious affairs as her mainstay, always referring to her pastor and often referring me as an atheist who does not know God contrary to my believe and feelings. This has caused a lot of strife and emotional distress in my personal and children.‛ -34 years old, married, Homa Bay County‚ 2.
‚Kitchen is a dangerous place for men since it contains all weapons of warfare. I have been hit severally with kitchen weapons although I don’t make it public for fear of ridicule. My advice men who are regularly abused like me is that they should avoid the kitchen as it is the armory for women lest your transformer is ejected anytime. Revenge can work but laws are biased, one might live the rest of his life in jail‛
-34 years, married 3 children Homa Bay County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
I was retrenched at a relatively early age and ventured into agribusiness which did not work well. I have a family of five daughters who are now unmarried grownups. To my surprise they have now ganged up with the mother to deny me peace. Plans were underway to make sure am jailed for framed rape. As usual after enjoying drinks with friends, I relaxed out of my house contemplating on why my wife and daughters had decided to be so cruel to me. Soon did I overhear them plot on how they are going to frame rape charges so that am jailed because I had refused to sell part of the land according to their wish. My next move was to go and book a vehicle where I freed from the jaws of death to unknown destination.‛ -39 years, married FGD participant, Homa Bay County
9.
4.
‚Loneliness at home is a major emotional abuse affecting men. Many men were unanimous on this issue: ‚I usually arrive home from work tired and in need of consoling company; instead, my wife either avoids me or comments and answers in monosyllable. My efforts to start a conversation are answered by ignorance or either disregarded all together. The only meaningful conversation is when she is complaining. Am really going through a life of prolonged stress‛ -48 years old, married with 6 children, Homa Bay County
10. ‚When men are abused by having their food or drink spiked in restaurants and bars by women, everyone takes it simply yet this is food poisoning and can end to death. When I recovered from a spiking incident, the policemen laughed at me and told me to be careful in future. Why doesn’t the government make spiking a capital offence and go the offensive on the women who do it.‛ -32 years married with 6 children Homa Bay County
5.
‚I am a HIV/AIDS positive depressed man. I went through forced vasectomy in hospital; I was lured by the doctor to accept the operation in the disguise that I will live longer if castrated. I came to discover that many HIV/AIDS men are castrated through the same deception. I now want the doctor who mutilated my genitals to revert me to my original state, I will do anything to make sure am functioning again since facts show that one can still sire a child even when positive, otherwise he will pay me dearly for his mistakes‛ ”HIV/AIDS victim Homa Bay County
6.
‚I had an accident several years ago which confined me to a wheel chair. My wife at first took care of me. My insurance paid out my bills with my wife as the custodian. But she later changed to the worst and I didn’t believe my eyes. She started moving out with men and even bringing them in my own house at night. I was contemplating suicide until a doctor friend successfully managed to have me operated in India. It is now one year from then, my wife and children were nowhere to be traced. I was forced to start afresh with nothing to hold onto; she had sold everything including the house which I had built alone. Thanks God that am healed and can do anything I want all alone.‛ -46 years,3 children, separated HomaBay County
7.
‚I thought of committing suicide… but couldn’t. I was having a nightmare. Not that I don’t take responsibilities but my wife has been maneuvering to be the head of my family which I have refused. Sometimes I don’t sleep due to starvation and perennial verbal abuse.‛ -31 years, married 3 children Homa Bay County
8.
‚Men are been exploited to serve women like donkeys since creation. In workplaces women are given simpler tasks to perform yet they get more allowances and more time off. They only have to display their sexuality to the boss to get a promotion or pay rise. Where I work my senior is a women who was employed the other day and her qualifications are lower than mine, I feel oppressed and intimidated to a point of resigning, she also has the habit of exploiting her subordinate staff sexually.‛ -32 years married with 4 children Homa Bay County
‚It seems I am married to the whole of my wife’s family members. When two of her sisters joined secondary, I was actually forced to pay school fees for them; I was then forced to pay for his brother’s personal athlete’s couch as he was also nurturing his running career. At first I was reluctant because of the way she brought up the matter. Sooner did I learn that, that was the end of my conjugal rights, I came to discover that sexual relations with my wife is a privilege and not a right and only happens when I fulfill my promises among other things. Doing all this was not the problem but my big worry was the kind of wife I discovered I have. I have since nicknamed her ‚blackmail‛ in my phone book regret marrying her, it really pisses me.‛ -36 years, married, 2 children, Homa Bay County
11. ‚Many husbands are scalded with hot water yet they are loath to take legal action against their wives or seek advice. When the public, neighbors and other women hear about it, they justify and applaud without a second thought and say that the poor man deserves it. Authorities also turn a blind eye to such actions.‛ -36 years, married 2 children Homa Bay County 5:19 County 10 ” Kakamega The following results were registered in Kakamega County:1. The study revealed that an average of over 98,000 men experienced emotionally abuse in their lifetime while over 49,000 men experienced emotional abuse regularly. 2. An average of over 28,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse in their lifetime while over 14,000 men experienced economic and physical abuse regularly. 3. It showed over 126,000 men in Kakamega County were affected by gender and domestic abuse and violence. 4. 6 out of 10 men are polygamists in this county where most of them hide the status due to fear of abuse from the first wife. 5. 30% men residents are victims of economic exploitation by women due to the inheritance after death. 6. 4 out of 10 men in this county are blackmailed by their spouses in order to enjoy their conjugal rights. 7. 20% of married men were forced to give in to a marriage because the woman was pregnant. 8. 10% were forced into marriage after death of husband. 9. 35% of married men, married in a hurry without due diligence because of age factor without considering important issues i.e. history, morals, age, education, number of kids, parents home, clan or HIV/AIDS status. 10. 40% of married wives forced their husbands into marriage by holding themselves hostage in the man’s house. 11. 21% of married men were forced to marry by their relatives or friends while some were introduced to their prospective bride. 12. 15% of married men married the woman of their choice and took their time before engaging into matrimony. 13. 60% men who undergone a church or legal wedding were either blackmailed or forced by the woman or in laws. 14. 40% of men discovered too late that they married the wrong choice of woman.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 15. 40% couples do not enjoy their marriage life. 16. 70% men who are abused reported that their phones were regularly scrutinized by wives and sometimes forced to leave them behind with their wives when going to work. 17. 25% of the male population in this county is single by choice and not searching for a future partner due to fear of domestic abuse. 18. Illicit liquor brewing is women dominated where men are lured into drinking dens by prostitutes who rip them off their cash. 19. 4 out of 10 marriages, women are dictators and dominate visually everything where the husband has no say in family and children issues including the sharing of their salaries. 5:20 Some serialized comments by respondents in Kakamega County:1. ‚A lot of people when asked the drivers of violence against men, they rush to say that it is due to alcohol consumption. My advice to people is that alcohol in African context is a holy brew that should not be demonized to that extent. Alcohol has always been the agreement factor in African culture; any legal or traditional marriage institution has the blessing of alcohol. Our ancestors may not be happy about the way it has been demonized. Get me right, the problem is not alcohol consumption but alcohol abuse.‛ -60 years, married, Kakamega County 2.
3.
Violence driven by social norms and cultural practices was recognized in some counties:- ‚Dowry practices are a cultural norm that is in all communities. For example, if a man is married and has not gone through this process, he is not considered a man enough to even head his family as he is deemed to be short of blessings from in-laws. This ignites unfair debates in the family which leads to emotional abuse where the man is disrespected by the wife, or if one is rich and brings home little dowry to the expectations of the in-laws.‛ -43 years, married FGD participant, Kakamega County I am a victim of economic abuse, my girlfriend took me for a ride, I catered for her university education and expenses with the agreement that we were to marry soon after; I was met with a rude shock on learning after graduation that she had another man and were already planning for the wedding ceremony. The net amount that I had spent for her education was over KSH 300,000. I demanded the same but she told me that all that was done in kind and nothing to refund. That was the start of my downfall.‛ - 26 years University Student Kakamega County
4.
‚I lost my job some months ago. Luckily I got a job proposition recently, my wife doesn’t know this. In the meantime, I have been subjected to domestic abuse and violence by my wife who happens to be employed. I wash dishes, clothes, nappies and cook and also babysit. She is mean, she can’t even employ a house help despite her hefty pay. God willing, I will immediately divorce her when I get a job to escape from this emotional slavery.‛ -43 years, married, three children, Kakamega County ‚
5.
‚My wife has always been the instigator of calculated quarrels meant to conceal her unfaithfulness. She is employed in town and whenever she comes home drunk she is always violent to me and children. I have managed to involve family members and elders in vain. Children are most affected by this behavior and are physiologically traumatized and their education adversely affected.-41 years, married, 3 children Kakamega County
6.
‛I am a man in the outside but inside am a shell without functioning genitals. I am a victim of physical abuse due to forced castration by my brothers due to the status of my health. I have a mental health challenge which has left me disadvantaged in many ways. My brothers took me to hospital and collaborated with the doctor to have me castrated against my wish. They also shared my piece of land without my knowledge and drug me with overdose medication which subjects me to prolonged dizziness. Many of my friends with the same status are discriminated while women with mental problems are accorded care. A majority of males with mental illness are neglected and treated like animals as they walk naked without anyone raising a figure while women are treated with specialty. No wonder 99% of mentally challenged people living in the streets are of the male gender and needs urgent medication as citizens and human beings and should enjoy equal constitutional rights.‛
-38 years, FGD participant, Kakamega County 7.
‚My wife demands money every time before sex, my sexual life comes with a big price tag. I wonder if my wife has become a prostitute. I suspect she does the same with men.‛ -26 years
married with 2 children Kakamega County 8.
‚My ever demanding wife is driving me mad. She cannot live within our budget; I am forced to pay her loans and credits which she amasses without consulting me.‛ -28 years married with 1 child Kakamega County
9.
‚I am a victim of physical abuse for some time now. My grandfather advised me that it is a taboo and against the African culture for a man to scream or report abuse from the wife. My friend was experiencing the same and decided to report to the police, no action was taken and since then he has been the laughingstock in the village. I am not sure what to do next. ‚
-35 years, married, 4 children Kakamega County 10. ‚Genital mutilation is a horrifying phenomenon that shows what women are capable of doing. Women are sometimes dangerous individuals who might do the most horrendous acts without a second thought. As one man put it, the first thing I do when I open my eyes in the morning is to checks whether my machinery is still there.‛ -39 years, married 2 children, Kakamega County 11. ‚Sometimes husband’s deaths are well planned with collaboration with doctors particularly in some private hospitals, either through intentional wrong medication or outright murder through poisonous injections, my father died under mysterious conditions after been admitted in a private hospital after a minor injury. My mother was the main suspect but we feared raising the mater to police since after all she is our mother.‛ -36 years, married, Kakamega County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Chapter 6 Violence against Boys 6:1 Boy child neglect and discrimination Boy child neglect and discrimination is a catastrophe and is prevalent in all counties, findings indicate that the status of the boy child is a time bomb, worsening and on the verge of destruction. There is a deeper element on the meaning of this statement, the repercussions of ignoring the plight of the boy child are evident with adverse effects been displayed in social and economic sphere where the boy is steadily lagging behind the girl. It is the high time that fathers and uncles who were traditionally pillars of the boys should speed up and salvage the boy from continued moral degradation and extinction.
6:2 History of male child abuse The history of the male child has been a matter of life and death. At a glance, it has been a long and slippery path full of lifelong handles. From the bizarre times of King Pharaoh and Herod massacre, civil wars, child labor, livestock rustling, political manipulation, child molestation, unsafe circumcision, high dropout rate, male child mortality rate, sex segregation, discriminatory laws, unequal educational and employment opportunities, social and economic slavery and not to mention the new kid on the block that is gender and domestic abuse and violence. The objective of doing this study was to assess the rate of boychild abuse and violence. The study selected 2 schools, a boarding and a day school in every county in the 10 selected counties. The study randomly asked questions to 10 students per school. Due to ethical grounds, the study implementers did not reveal the schools and students that participated in the research. The study registered the following results:1. This study results classified male child neglect as a national disaster and a time bomb. 2. The study called on the government to urgently create an affirmative action for the boychild.
6:3 (i) Demographic overview of violence against the boy child
Counties
Approximate no. boys dropout rate annually
Approximate no. boys raped and defiled annually
1
Nairobi
35,000
4,400
2
Kilifi
13,500
2,400
3
Kiambu
12,500
1,800
4
Meru
11,500
1,600
5
Homa Bay
11,000
1,400
6
Nakuru
10,500
1,200
7
Kisii
9,000
1,000
8
Machakos
8,000
800
9
Kakamega
7,500
600
10
Nyeri
4,000
400
Total averages of population of boys abused or neglected in the 10 Counties Averages of boys population abused or neglected in the 10 Counties Averages of boys population abused or neglected countrywide Averages of boys raped or defiled countrywide dairy
122,500
15,600
12,250
1,560
575,750
73,320 200
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
4. 5. 6.
7. 8.
9.
The rate that boys are dropping out of school, radicalization and joining the streets is alarming with the society and the government not doing the necessary to eradicate the menace. Over 500,000 boys between 5 to 18 years are dropouts either not going to school while others live in the streets in major towns. The study showed that an average of between 50 and 150 boys are dropouts in every county ward and do not go to school. The study showed that an average of between 50 and 150 boys are abandoned and live in small and major towns as street children. It revealed that countrywide the average dropout rate of boys is 7.5% before they complete primary education. The study showed that education of the boys is hampered by a myriad of challenges where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. The study showed that the most affected areas of minimal enrollment of boys are the arid and semi-arid regions of the country where it was estimated at an average of between 20% and 50% boys who have not enrolled in primary school in the North of Kenya Counties.
6:4 Dropout rate in order of prevalence 1. Nairobi County at 10.5% with over 35,000 boys. 2. Kilifi County at 9.8% with over 13,500 boys 3. Nakuru County at 8.9% with over 12,500 boys 4. Meru County at 8.2% with about 11,500 boys 5. Homa Bay County 7.5% with about 11,000 boys 6. Kiambu County 6.3% with about 10,500 boys 7. Kisii County 5.8% with over 9,000 boys 8. Machakos County 5.2 % with over 8,000 boys 9. Kakamega County 4.8% with over 7,500 boys 10. Nyeri County 4.2% with over 4,000 boys 6:5 Rape and defilement rampant among boys The study revealed that cases of rape against boys have shot up tremendously and therefore classified the crime as one among the many abuse types against male gender. The following results were registered in the 10 selected counties: An estimated 73,000 boys countrywide were raped and defiled during the last one year. It showed that averages of 200 boys are raped and defiled dairy. 1. Nairobi with an average of 4,400 boys 2. Kilifi County has an average of 2,200 boys 3. Kiambu County has an average of 1,800 boys 4. Meru County has an average of 1,600 boys 5. Homa Bay County has an average of 1,400 boys 6. Nakuru County has an average of 1,200 boys 7. Kisii County has an average of 1,000 boys 8. Machakos County has an average of 800 boys 9. Kakamega County has an average of 600 boys 10. Nyeri County has an average of 400 boys 6:6 Definition of the word rape The common definition of rape is the crime of forcing a person to submit to sexual intercourse against his or her will. It also means violation or assault. The definition of rape by the Sexual Offences Act 2006 is stated that:A person commits the offence termed rape if„
(a) he or she intentionally and unlawfully commits an act which causes penetration with his or her genital organs; (b) the other person does not consent to the penetration; or (c) the consent is obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind. Normally, rape is termed as to mean with an unwilling female partner or forces sexual intercourse with a female while sex intercourse is termed as penetration of the virginal by the penis leading to orgasm. 1. According to research rape is normally associated between men against women and not males against fellow males. 2. Rape is more associated with women than men. 3. Society refers rape as sexual crime against females. 4. Men are regard by women as potential rapists. 5. The study shows that rape against boys in schools, colleges, juvenile remand homes etc. is higher than rape against girls. 6. No research has been done on male rape. 7. Sodomy should be gazette as rape and crime that carries the same custodial sentence as rape against women. 8. The study showed that bullying in schools often lead to rape. 9. The trend of neglecting the boy child has born a myriad of negative livelihoods among teenage boys and junior males. 10. The upsurge of all manner of crimes and social ills are associated with the male gender and particularly the boys. 6:7 Nairobi County 1 Nairobi County happens to be the capital city of Kenya. It is also the business hub for a majority of Kenyans who live here. Due to its metropolitan state it host thousands of youth males in search of employment in industries and in the private sector. Nairobi County is a solace to boys as young as 5 years. Some are born in Nairobi while some migrate to the city through orthodox means from the neighboring counties in search of quick labour opportunities. Drop outs of boys are manipulated in child labour and treated as tools of trade in menial jobs and suffer the brunt of tough lifestyle situations in these counties which are densely populated. The study revealed the following: 1. The study showed that 7 out of 10 boys living in the streets were abandoned by their mothers after unprotected sex and the biological father disowning the child. 2. The study showed that most of the mothers are as young as 16 years and decided to abandon the child because potential husbands were unwilling to marry the woman with a child particularly a boy due to the fact that he might in the long run seek to know his biological father due to property issues. 3. It revealed worrying trends in this county where over 4,400 boys were reportedly raped during the last one year. 4. The county hosts an average of 25,000 underage boys where others survive in the streets of major towns. 5. It showed that bullying in secondary schools was rampant where some students reported been abused by senior boys and teachers where some were squeezed their genitals. 6. 5 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 7. Corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools where prefects too had the mandated to punish fellow students. 8. Cases of sexual assault where boys were lured by girls, women and house girls and raped were rampant. 9. The study showed that 2 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 10. The study revealed that a majority of boy’s 10.5% dropout before they complete primary education to join the streets in doing menial jobs like i.e. luggage carriers, unloading market goods, collecting garbage and metal for recycling. 11. Many engage in sweeping, cleaning premises and carwash, others become drug abusers and peddlers, robbers, pickpockets, petrol and glue sniffers at the expense of education. 12. Worst affected areas are slums where education of the boys is hampered, 2 out of 10 boys not enrolling in school. 13. Nairobi hosts more than 50,000 underage boys’ dropouts at the expense of education where 25,000 are street boys. 14. Alcohol and drug abuse is a major challenge with 35% of male school students habitually engaging in the vice. 15. Over 40% indigenous male youths are prone to abuse of alcohol, drug dealers and abusers as it is common in these County where between ages 15-18 are regular abusers of alcohol, drugs and or peddlers while many are prone to radicalization, terrorism and illegal gang recruitment. Comments from respondents in this county:1. ‚The betting games that were established in rural and urban areas are meant to radicalize boys and turn them into hopeless individuals and misfits. You would hardly get girls engaging in betting games. It shows how the boys have become targets of all manner of negative influence. The government ought to do a visibility study on the hazardous consequences of these betting games before allowing China to dump these machines in Kenya.‛
-21 years student, Nairobi County 2.
‚I am a parent of a girl and a boy who sat for KCPE last year, the boy scored 340 marks while the girl scored 300-yet the girl went to a better school than the boy.‛ -Parent Nairobi County
3.
‚Access to quality education is easier to a girl than a boy. The number of girl’s boarding schools of good quality and with enough security is higher than that of boys.‛
-20 years, University Student Nairobi County 4.
‚The statue of a naked boy in the Supreme Court is a slight to the male fraternity. Just imagine, if it was a naked girl placed their urinating at the gates of supremacy, it would have invited attention from all corners of the world. Feminists would be protesting for its removal, but because it is a boy, that’s not an issue. Whatever the meaning, to me it is injustice to the boys. It baffles why the statue has been undressed and sprinkled with electrified water; it shows that the male gender will continually to be discriminated and tortured and would not get justice even in the Supreme Court. The poor boy is not circumcised; he wears a cap that is worn by magistrates and judges; which shows that our judicial men and women need to be circumcised. Something else important to note, the statue is a ‘black African boy’ and was placed by the colonial government, the justification been ‘Naked Justice’, this philosophy is strange and needs interpretation. It might as well be a direct insult to the African boy and against international human rights. I suggest the Museum is the best place for this kind of ‘Statue of Disgrace.‛ Many men cannot see any wrong with this statue because of lack of knowledge, ignorance and cultural attitude and ego that all is well no matter what!‛ - Student, Nairobi County
5.
‚Girls are viewed by some parents as potential investments, especially in bride price and thus many parents are more than willing to adopt a girl than a boy. It should be the prerequisite of the children department to advice any willing person on the sex to adopt in order to solve the backlog of the multiple of kids particularly boys in the orphanages and in the streets. Let us all help by adopting a boy too.‛- Secondary student, Nairobi County
6:8 Nyeri County.2 This County despite its high level of civil and educational development registered a number of challenges affecting boys. 1. It was revealed that in this county 4.2% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 2. Education of the boys is hampered where 1 out of 20 boys have not enrolled in school. 3. The study revealed worrying trends of boys raped by men where over 400 boys were reported been raped in the last one year. 4. These counties host about 4,000 underage boys’ dropouts, where others survive in the streets of major towns. 5. The study showed that bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys where some were squeezed their genitals. 6. 1 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 7. 1 out of 20 boys reported rape by a girl, woman or house girl. 8. The study showed that corporal punishment is rampant in boys schools where prefects too were given the mandated to punish fellow students. 9. Consumption of alcohol and abuse of drugs is a major challenge with over 15% of male school leavers habitually engaging in the vice. It was revealed that these counties are the brewers, distributors and consumers of illicit alcohol leaving a big question why leaders from this area and the government have been silent on this grave matter. 10. It showed upsurge in crimes ranging from insecurity and terrorism due to negligence of the male child who is prone to radicalization and has seek solace in illegal gangs such as Alshabab, Mugiki and other criminal gangs that terrorize society. 11. Educational standards have fallen drastically and overtaken by other counties due to some of these major factors. The debate and talks on empowering the girl child has been very productive, but what has not been addresses is whether girls are taking advantage of the opportunities given or something is wrong with programs implemented that may have turned against boys. 12. It was revealed that discrimination by teachers is common where boys continue facing corporal punishment which was banned. In schools that were visited 10 boys in each school complained of body marks and injuries perpetrated by teachers after administering corporal punishment. 13. 90% of the primary schools in this county showed that the number of male teachers were lower with some schools having only 2 male teachers. 14. Most of the schools had only 5 male teachers. This is a disadvantage to the boys since they end up not having male tutor’s as role models. Comments from respondents in this county:1. I was repeatedly raped by my bed mate in form 2. Due to threats of further assault and bullying I decided not to speak out about the matter to anyone. Many boys are raped in my school but do not report due to threats by perpetrators. -Affected Boy, Nyeri County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 2.
‚I am a boy among six siblings, 2 boys and 4 girls. Despite having got better grades in secondary school, my parents opted to educate my sisters whereas we were carted off the local polytechnic. The real reason however was the misconception of ‚better to educate a girl than a boy‛- which in the real sense should be banned; it creates animosity and gender discrimination.‛ -Affected Boy, Nyeri County
3.
‚Am a worried teenage boy of 15 years, my girlfriend of 15 years lured me to have sex with her and it became the norm during holidays, this is the second year but things are not so well on my side, unfortunately she conceived and is now pregnant, my father is a watchman while his parents are wealthy. They got me arrested and I was charged with rape. I thought that the police would have considered the fact that we are both under age and not to be biased. Why am I subjected to this torture while it’s clear with the girl’s testimony that she was the one who started it all? Is it because I am a boy? Am contemplating suicide than be jailed for no reason‛ -Affected Boy, Nyeri County
4.
5.
‚My girlfriend threatened to commit suicide if I did not continue with our sex life, that is how I got hooked and blackmail in order to save her life, I live a life of regret‛ -Student ” Nyeri County
13. The research revealed that many youths are prone to radicalization, terrorism and illegal gangs. 14. It was revealed that in this county 9.8% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 15. Child labor is evident where many boys have engaged in the minerals trade at the expense of education. Comments from respondents in this county:1. Boy’s secondary schools are a hotbed of abuse particularly rape. The harassment of form one students once thought to be a thing of the past is still rife where some boys are radicalized, forced to take hard drugs or even raped. Awareness should be done in schools to avoid this and encourage reports by victims since many rapes go unreported.
”Secondary school teacher Kilifi County 2.
‘Cases of boys been lured by older women is on the rise here, the bottom line is that they are after lavish lifestyles of this women who take advantage of the secondary and particularly university boys. Nothing has been initiated by the government to sensitive the boys on the dangers of falling prey to this women. Something needs to be down urgently.‛ -University student Kilifi County
3.
‚I am aware of 2 boys of 12 and 13 years who were raped in the bush while going home from school. I met the boys in pain some few minutes after the ordeal and took them to their parents and together we took them to hospital. The parents talked with the doctor and agreed to examine and treat the boys without a report from the police. On returning home after been treated and examined that they were free from HIV/AIDS infection, I enquired why they did not report the matter to the police, just to be met by unwilling answers. I persisted and was shocked to learn that the issue was past tense…….The parents told me that such cases don’t see the light of the day and following it up will only traumatize the boys more. Rape amongst boys is prevalent, the society and government are ignorant on such cases. Imagine if this were girls, everyone including women political leaders and diplomats would condemn and call for immediate action by authorities. This is the sorry state of affairs amongst many boys’ rape victims.‛-35 years, married FGD participant, Kilifi County
4.
I was sexually abused by my teacher after luring me to his school residence. He raped me to a point of bleeding and gave me Kshs500 to silence me and buy pain killers. He also threatened me with expulsion for good if I spoke about it. I am in form 3 and the teacher has since been transferred to another school. I don’t think reporting will help at all since it is the norm here and students don’t report such cases due to stigma and fear of been bewitched or abused by their school mates.
‚It is sad to learn that men join up with women to protect girls rights but forget their own‛-Student ” Nyeri County
6:9 Kilifi County 3 Due to the cosmopolitan nature of the coastal region, culture aspects and the influx of foreign tourists and easy money are some of the major challenges that the male child has inherited. These are some of the adverse social ideologies that subject the boys to severe negative morals according to the study. 1. Over 2,400 boys were reportedly raped in this county 2. The coastal basin hosts over 13,500 school dropouts where others survive in the streets at the expense of education. 3. Over 5,000 boy’s dropout and join the busy coastal waters of Kilifi County as beach boys and luggage carriers at the expense of education. 4. Education of the boys is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. 5. The study classified drugs abuse in the coast region as a disaster and called on the national government to immediately address this crisis as a matter of urgency. 6. Bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys where some were squeezed their genitals. 7. 3 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 8. Corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools where prefects are given mandated to punish fellow students. 9. The study showed that 1 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl. 10. This region has the highest hard drug dealers and abusers in Kenya affecting 35% boys been helpless victims. 11. The study revealed that Kilifi County is a hotbed of drug abuse and dealers, importers, exporters and a majority of addicts are found in this region. 12. It revealed that 40% boys between 14 and 18 years either abuse drugs and alcohol while some are addicts or engage in drug running and criminal activities.
-Affected student Kilifi County 5.
‚Neglect of the male child is tantamount to the escalating insecurity between communities and families; you can only successfully unite a community through the male gender but not the female gender.‛ -Stakeholder, Kilifi County
6.
‚Girls in my school abuse boys with impunity. When a boy reports to the teacher, he is caned instead and branded as a drugs abuser by the teachers. 11 boys have been expelled for good while 7 have dropped out because of this very reason.‛
-student Kilifi County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 6:10 Meru County 4 1. It was revealed that in this county 8.2% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education where most of them engage in the lucrative Miraa trade at the expense of education which later turns them into hopeless drug infested drunkards and social misfits. 2. Education of the boys is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. 3. The study showed that boys in this county are adversely affected educational wise and thus the region is known to export boys as young as 13 years of age to other counties to work in farms and homes as ‘shamba’ boys due to high rate of illiteracy. 4. The study also revealed worrying trends of rape cases where about 1,600 boys were raped in this County. 5. Bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys and teachers where some were squeezed their genitals. 6. 4 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 7. 1 out of 10 boys reported rape by a girl, woman or house girl. 8. Corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools where prefects too were given the mandated to punish fellow students. 9. Consumption of alcohol and abuse of drugs is a major challenge, 30% of male students annually habitually engaging in the vice. 10. This county host over 11,500 underage boys dropouts where others survive in the streets in major towns. 11. Lack of government policies and programs to regulate Miraa chewing is not prioritized since prominent political leaders are giant trademarks of Miraa trade with big farms thus leading to inefficient laws and guidelines to control the abuse by the underage who mostly are boys and are exploited in child labour in farms and menial jobs 12. 85% of male residents of this county chew Miraa which has led to many underage boys engaging in the same. 13. No single government or County policy or program to control the abuse of Miraa by the underage has ever been implemented thus leaving the boy child at stake potentially falling prey. 14. Boys are trained in cattle rustling, handling and making weapons as a survival option at the expense of education. Comments from respondents in this county:1. ‚Gender favoritism in educational opportunities for girls especially in Meru County and its environs is a gender gap that is adversely affecting family relations. Girls in these areas excel in education in comparison with boys. -Student-Meru County 2.
‚Perpetrators who rape boys are aware of insufficient awareness campaigns and thereby take advantage of the gaps to commit the crime since it is very likely that it will end up unreported in comparison with the girls. This is an area that needs vigorous campaigns particular in secondary schools and among the society.‛ -Student-Meru County
3.
I was trapped by a boy we attend the same school during holidays and repeatedly raped me. He threatened to skin me alive if I dared to talk about it, I have tried in vain to gain courage and report to my father. I am not alone in this dilemma since the same boy has done the same to 5 other boys. He is a threat and we fear our life is endangered. -Secondary student Meru County
4.
Young men are not left out in gender abuse since they are forced to practice cattle rustling so that they can be allowed to marry. In this community men as young as 12 years are trained on cattle rustling tactics in order to be men enough. One cannot marry if he does not have a total of over 40 bulls as bride price bearing in mind that these are also illiterate boys who spend most of their time herding domestic animals at the expense of education.‛
-23-49 years, married FGD participant, Samburu County 5.
‚Unemployment rate among male youths is higher than females. It has been established that employers favor females; women are promoted more and receive relatively more pay in the same job group-Who will save the male gender from this glaring disparities‛. -22 years Jobless male youth Lamu County
6:11 Machakos County 5 The study revealed that harsh economic conditions of this County are partly to blame for the challenges encountered by the male child. In addition to culture and insecurity, it has posed additional negative challenges to the male child as a symbol of protection and as a tool of cattle rustling. According to the study the following data was collected:1. Male youths are forced to marry at an early age and are also forced to engage in cattle rustling as a way of resources to raise the exorbitant bride price demands. 2. The study showed worrying trends of rape cases where over 800 boys were raped in this County. 3. This county host about 8,000 underage boys’ dropouts where others survive in the streets of major towns. 4. The study showed that corporal punishment is rampant in boys schools where prefects too were given the mandated to punish fellow students. 5. The study showed that bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys where some were squeezed their genitals. 6. It revealed that in this county 5.5% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 7. Education of the boys is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. 8. 3 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 9. The study showed that 1 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl. 10. Most of the youths are trained in cattle rustling tactics and the handling of weapons as a survival option at the expense of education. 11. Male school age children are not consistent in education since they are forced to look after livestock at the expense of education. 12. Sample of 100 schools showed that learning in this county is not consistent in all classes; almost all days have 60% boys in school. 13. Consumption of alcohol is a major challenge that has affected over 30% of male students. Comments from respondents in this county:‚Over protection and over empowerment of one gender is sending the wrong message that females are more special than males. What this gender gap is creating is un-reversible and will only bring more gender violence, sex battles, animosity and hatred.‛ -34 years married with 3 children Machakos County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 6:12 Nakuru, County 6 The challenges facing the male child in these counties stem from ethnic conflict where boys are engaged periodically in tribal and civil warfare. The study showed that:1. Tribal and civil warfare and constant skirmishes interfere with education where the male children drop out of school to protect their parents, women, children and property. 2. It was also revealed that as a result many boys dropout and turn to street hawking business. These counties have the highest number of underage boys in the street hawking sector at the expense of education. Tribal insecurity forces many boys in these counties to migrate to urban areas where due to lack of effective education, they are employed in menial jobs in towns and farms. 3. Approximately 1,200 boys were raped in this County. 4. This county hosts over 12,500 underage boys’ dropouts where others survive in the streets. 5. The study showed that bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys where some were squeezed their genitals. 6. 2 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 7. The study showed that 1 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl. 8. Corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools where prefects have the mandated to punish fellow students. 9. Male youths are forced to join illegal gangs in these here due to the unemployment crisis and dropout rate. 10. Drugs and alcohol abuse is a major challenge with over 50% of male students and school leavers habitually engaging in the vice. 11. It revealed that 8.9% of the male children dropout of school before they complete primary education. 12. Education of boys is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school and many others are trained in cattle rustling and tending livestock at the expense of education. 13. Farming in these counties is lucrative and many boys drop out to join early farming and cattle rearing at the expense of education. Comments from respondents in this county:1. My form one experience was hell, I and other 10 boys were raped the first day we joined the school by senior students as a form of bullying. We were threatened with adverse consequences if we reported to administration. One boy among us reported the ordeal to the teacher after some days and was instead framed with possession of bhang which resulted to his expulsion for good. The boys (perpetrators) argued that the boy is under bhang influence which he smokes regularly in the toilet and hides it in the blankets. After a thorough search it was found hidden in the mattress of the abused boy. We were all silenced by the ill motive of these boys and are now suffering in silence to avoid more victimization. -Affected Secondary school student, Nakuru County 2.
3.
‚Cases of sexual assault by female teachers in secondary schools are rampant in this County. The shocking scenario is that most of these boys do not concentrate in their education thereby dropout before their fourth year.‛- student, Nakuru County ‚Male child indiscipline has deteriorated to the worst; it is both biblically and culturally right not to spare the rod. Straighten a tree when it is still tender.‛ -Boy prefect, Nakuru County
4.
5.
‚I am forced to herd livestock while my sister goes to school. It has been the norm in our community since educating the girl is considered important than educating a boy. A majority of boys don’t go to school due to this reason.‛-Boy Nakuru County ‚I wish I was born a girl, girls are more privileged than boys‛
-student, Nakuru County 6:13 Homa Bay County 7 1. This County is blessed with an abundance of protein food resources. However like other parts of the county the male child suffers multiple challenges due to various factors. Cultural norm such as polygamy in this county is a big drawback to willing educational opportunities. 2. Lake Victoria serves as a gold mine in these counties and hosts over 11,000 underage boy’s dropouts who have joined the fishing industry while others survive in the streets in major towns at the expense of education. 3. The study also revealed worrying trends of rape cases where about 1,400 boys were raped in this County. 4. The study showed that bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys where some were squeezed their genitals. 5. 4 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior and teachers boys. 6. The study showed that corporal punishment is rampant in boys schools where prefects too were given the mandated to punish fellow students. 7. It revealed that in this county 7.5% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 8. Education of the boys here is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. 9. The study showed that 1 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl. 10. Most boys have difficult in accessing secondary education due to the high number of siblings under their care and so end up in doing menial labour to sustain a living as a result of deaths of related to HIV/AIDS . Lake Victoria has lured many youths into fishing at the expense of education where most of them are exploited in child labour as young as 12 years of age. Consumption of alcohol and abuse of drugs is a major challenge with over 30% boys and school leavers habitually addicted. 11. Sample of 10 schools showed that learning in this county is not consistent. In a majority of schools boy’s enrolments in lower classes decrease annually. Comments from respondents in this county:1. ‚Boy child issues have adversely been over looked, scratch my back I scratch yours should be the baseline of all gender policies and programs.‛ -Stakeholder ” Homa Bay County
2.
‚If a boy or man is raped in comparison with a girl or woman, it is not taken seriousness it deserves and one ends up suffering in silence due to stigma.‛”Stakeholder Homa Bay County
3.
‚Boys currently are an endangered species since they are at risk from sugar mammies (sponsors) who waylay them when going to college or university and lure them with promises of money handouts into hotels where they are forced to sleep with the women without any protection so that they can sire a child without the boys knowledge‛ -Student University Homa Bay County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 4.
‚Since I was not circumcised in form one; I had been going through blackmail by my girlfriend to protect my sexual status. Many times she hailed insults and after reporting to the disciplinary teacher, I ended up becoming the one on the wrong with the teacher threatening me with dire consequences or expulsion for good. -Student ” Homa Bay County
5.
‚In every school term, an average of 2 boys dropped out and joins fishing at the shores of Lake Victoria. When I was in class 7 the same happened, now am in form 3, meaning that in every year between 6 and 8 boys dropout and join fishing as casual fisher boys at the expense of education. Now a total of 50 boys are dropouts. The trend of events is worrying since girls are consistent in education than boys.‛ ”Student HomaBay County
6:14 Kisii County 8 We asked the following questions to our respondents in Kisii County in order to assess the rate and status of motorbike casualties and male accident rate risk in Kenya. “ Have you ever been a survivor of a motorbike accident in your life,
whether rider or passenger? “ Have you ever been assaulted by a motor bike rider? “ Have you ever ridded a careless or over speeding motor bike rider? 6:15 Boda Boda Menace and the Male child The study selected Kisii and Kilifi County to assess the status and challenges of the male child in the boda boda transport industry. The business was meant to offer Kenyans with an alternative means of transport and also to alleviate unemployment among the youth but with sobriety and not put the male youth to turmoil. It revealed that lack of management skills among cyclist is a major challenge. The following results were registered in Kisii County:1. The study revealed worrying trends of rape cases where averages of 2,200 boys were raped in this County. 2. This county hosts over 13,500 underage boys’ dropouts where others survive in the streets. 3. Bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county. 4. 4 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 5. It revealed that in this county 15% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 6. Education of the boys is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. 7. 1 out of 10 boys reported rape by a girl, woman or house girl. 8. It showed that corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools where prefects too have the mandated to punish fellow students. 9. 20% of operators in the rural areas are below the age of 18 years and have trained in riding motor bikes when ferrying unsuspecting customers thus causing accidents and deaths. They operate in the reserve to avoid arrest by traffic police. 10. The research showed unprecedented upsurge in accidents involving boda boda’s due to lack of skills by operators and unregulated road authority to enforce safety procedures. 11. 50% Boda boda riders are at risk and develop health problems associated with lack of wearing helmets and wind breakers. 12. 90% of boda boda riders are victims of sexual advances and harassment from their female passengers due to the seating arrangement of passengers who support themselves by encircling the waist of raiders. 13. Boda boda mode of transport has caused increased domestic violence and infidelity in marriages to unprecedented levels.
14. Compromising situation between the rider and the passenger often end up in reckless yet endearing overtures of friendship leading to romantic and or sexual illusions from passengers who most often than not turn to be engaged or married women. This has led to irate husbands often retaliating against these young men assaulting and sometimes leading to murder. 15. The emergence of motor cycle crime gangs is on the rise which has made crimes of all sorts from murder, theft and transport of illicit goods easier due to fast mobility where 20% are criminals. 16. The study recommends the government to ban boda boda passenger transport as a matter of urgency since it has proven to be the leading cause of upsurge of casualties and accidents in the country and introduce speed limit governors of 40kph and replace with three wheel motor bikes (tuk tuk) which are safer in speed and comfort seating without compromising the driver. 17. Boda boda business in these Counties have given birth to a breed of uncontrollable youth who form illegal criminal gangs who terrorize the community thus prone to shoot to kill police policy which has eliminated hundreds of males. 18. It showed that hospital casualties’ wards in this county were full of male bike operators who were victims of accidents at the time of the research where hospitals set aside separate wards purposely for boda boda casualties. 19. Boda boda’s risks in management are similar to long distance lorry drivers and prone to sexual harassment, crime and AIDS. The study showed that three wheel motor bikes commonly known as tuk tuk are safer compared with boda boda which was evident in Kilifi County where passengers expressed their comfort as a means of transport due to varied reasons:1. Not prone to accidents in comparison with boda boda 2. Due to their moderate speed. 3. Carries couples in comfort, boda boda can only carry one. 4. No body contact with the driver. 5. Not prone to crime like the boda boda. 6. Easy police traffic control and arrest in case of breaking laws. 7. Enough space for luggage and weather conducive. 8. Small margin difference in buying price. 9. Friendly road user unlike boda boda’s which are all time risky. 10. No need of head guard as some said that it is unhealthy. 11. Carries more passengers at the same time. 12. Economical for outdoor travelling with family. 13. Decrease in infidelity and gender based violence. Comments from respondents in this county:‚Am a boda boda rider and working in this sector needs one to be very careful. I have been raped by prostitutes more than 10 times since I started this business. Luckily enough I am always set with condoms in case I happen to ride a woman home at late hours and she happens to sexually assaults me. Many of my friends in boda boda sector have contracted HIV/AIDS this way where women who pretend to be customers later turn against them for sexual needs.‛
-21 years, married FGD participant, Kisumu County ‚If this boda boda menace was affecting female’s gender like males then this would be a matter that would be handled with the seriousness it deserves. Males die daily while many others are maimed but that has not been the government concern since males are treated as second class citizens, God help men.‛
-28 years, married FGD participant, Kilifi County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 6:16 Kiambu County 9 The study selected Kiambu County on study on sexuality education. The main objective of the study was to assess the status of male child and sexuality and need of knowledge of sexuality as a curriculum subject of education.
12. 20% of the boys convicted in juvenile is as a result of engaging in sexual relationship with underage girls while some were lured by the girls into a sexual relationship which led unwarranted pregnancies which led to the boys arrest unfair conviction.
In order to ascertain the status of teenage boys, we asked the asked the following questions:1. Have you ever been raped, if yes by who? 2. What is radicalization and how did you know about it? 3. Have you ever abused any drug, if yes who introduced you? 4. Do you have a girlfriend? 5. Do you engage in sex, if yes what prevention methods? 6. Do you have a phone, if yes do you open the internet? 7. What do you think about sex education? 8. Do you own a mobile phone? 9. Do you girls abuse you in school? 10. Are you discriminated at home or in school?
Many respondents were divided and could not agree on some suggestions like i.e. reverting secondary schools to mixed schools in order to decrease gender animosity and also place students in the know on gender relations from an early stage.
The following results were registered in Kiambu County:1. The study also revealed worrying trends of rape cases where averages of 1,800 boys were raped in this County. 2. This county hosts over 10,500 underage boys’ dropouts where others survive in the streets. 3. Bullying in secondary schools was rampant in this county where some students reported been abused by senior boys and teachers where some were squeezed their genitals. 4. 5 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 5. It revealed that in this county 6.3% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 6. The study showed that 2 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl. 7. Corporal punishment is rampant in boy’s schools where prefects had the mandated to punish fellow students. 8. 50% of the stakeholders were sharply divided on the introduction of sex education. The study showed that a majority of stakeholders, tended to run away from their obligations in protecting the rights of children including teenagers. 9. 50% of the stakeholders were optimistic that teenagers are suffering from lack of right guidelines and advisory and usually find solace in getting advice from the internet which sometimes is very misleading and hazardous to young and innocent minds. 10. 80% stakeholders participants agreed together that it is time to explore solutions on ways to protect the children and particularly teenagers who are active sexually which is a fact that must not be downplayed at the expense of culture, religion and beliefs which are reluctant in admitting the reality but could not support or object the introduction of sexual education. The study showed that with this state of affairs it has resulted to abandoning the young to fate and thus endangering their lives. 11. Participants in the cross-sectional quantitative survey in the FDGs were asked what actions they thought should be taken at social-structural levels in order to address the handicaps of teenagers. The government was perceived as having the major role in legislation of rights of the junior youths by lowering the effective age of identification requirement to 16 years as senior teenagers while the adult age remains at 18 years so that they can access their fundamental rights including access to modern technology, property acquisition, right to give evidence in court, driving, participate in general elections, access to PIN and banking, health schemes, telecommunication and requirements.
Gender violence and discrimination has been borne by the fact that parents and tutors are sometimes ignorant and create hatred between genders that has adverse effects in the future boy girl relations. In order to manage the crisis that teenagers are in and also address the factors that lead to rape in boys schools, lesbianism, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe sexual relations. The study recommended the introduction of:6:17 Health, Physical and Sex Education (HPSE) The study recommends to the government to make Health, Physical and Sex Education compulsory from form 1 to 4 due to the following:2. Attitudes towards sex and sobriety by well-informed tutors and counselors and create programs that prevent sexual violence as an important health education. 3. Many young people lack information and are left with the internet as the chief advisor which at times is very misleading in its contents. 4. Consent and safety in intimate relationships is a big subject to explore in this education. 5. Rape, homosexuality and lesbianism in boys and girls schools will decrease due to knowledge of the risks involved in the practice. 6. Gender and sexuality knowledge will be enhanced since many students don’t understand their sex or gender and risks of identifying with homosexuals; lesbians and bisexual are high due to lack of knowledge. 7. Lack of counsel from dependable people like parents or tutors puts the students to great risks of students experimenting on whatever they hear or see. 8. Different types of friendships and families where children are not well advised put them to more risks of rapists and unwarranted pregnancies. 9. Respect for each other and people who are different in tribe in order to decrease tribalism and tribal animosity. 10. Puberty, peer pressure and image in boy girl development are Vitol for motivation and self-realization. 11. Human reproduction and risks in abortion since rate of girls terminating pregnancy is high thus endangering lives. 12. Positive and supportive relationship contraceptives and risks knowledge is of great concern to both sexes. 13. It will offer discussions, friendships, focus groups, and knowledge about the risks of online chats, viral chats social media sites and not turn our backs on the reality that our children are becoming sexually active and prone to dangers if no structured guidelines are implemented. 14. Knowledge and awareness on the risk of uncontrolled sexual content, pornography, sexual bullying, unwarranted messaging is a gap that needs to be factored urgently since a majority of teenagers have smart phones. 15. Having lessons and discussions in the absence of tutors to encourage students to freely ask questions and interact will create an open environment and do away with the stigma that is there in addressing these issues.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Comments from respondents in this county:1. ‚Sex education is a subject that is long overdue. Information about sex is free from the internet and many students are caught unaware and instead are prone to unsafe sex and pregnancies‛-
21 year, student FGD participant, Kiambu County 2.
‚The age group that is reluctant in voting even when one has registered as a voter is from 55 years and above due to many factors. Lowering identification age can be a solution that will encourage young adults to enjoy the right to participate and motivate junior youth to be responsible citizens. Many schools showed that elections of student leaders are done peacefully which portrayed that the youth are peaceful and tribal free.‛
-20 years, FGD participant, Kiambu County 3.
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Findings showed that parents were uncomfortable when their teenage boys and girls use their phones and SIM cards and were optimistic that lowering the Id registration age will allow them to register Sim cards in their names and thus carry their own cross in case of engaging in crime as many parents are guilty of crimes that their children commit after communication with the parents Sim cards. -56 years, married FGD participant, Kiambu County ‚My sister and brother were both raped and infected with HIV/AIDS after a meeting with a person they called a pen pal friend they knew through Face Book. This was as a result of lack of knowledge and ignorance. About all students in my school own phones and they are at risk of not knowing the disadvantages of internet.‛ -16 years secondary student, Kiambu County ‚I fell in a trap after been seduced by a lady stranger through internet after I answered to a viral chat. I met with the stranger at the agreed joint in town, but to my surprise he was a man, he wanted to have sex with me, I was too frightened that a fellow man wanted sex with me, I refused even after promising me money, I sought for help from the waiter who called the police and he was arrested. I know of many young people who have been trapped the same way by homosexuals who adduct and rape them, others are introduced to cults and devil worship through face book chats, Whts up and unwarranted messages in their phones. My advice to all teenagers is to be careful and not answer these messages at all, be warned!‛
-15 years secondary school student, Kiambu County 6.
What is the meaning of an identification card? My view is that it simple gives a person a right to enjoy his or her fundamental constitutional rights. Registration of a person when young or old does not make any difference since it does not necessarily mean one is an adult. Having an id when one is 14 or 16 years does not mean that he or she has become an adult. Furthermore students also need to acquire ids because of many factors. We have witnessed a lot of secondary students engaging in alcohol abuse in local pubs and when sort to produce an id they lie that they forgot at home and are freed. With an id such cases are avoidable since it will reveal ones age from the date of acquisition. I suggest that age should be dropped to 15 years and one should at the same time register as a voter to avoid time and money spent in voter registration at the expense of other meaningful national development.
-41 years, National Stake holder Kiambu County.
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‚I knew about sex and pornography through internet using my mum’s phone without her knowledge. I later had my first sex experience with my boyfriend and got pregnant. I terminated the pregnancy before my mother was aware through the help of a school mate who had done the same successfully. I developed fibroids; I blame my parents for not helping me with the knowledge and risks in unsafe sex and abortion‛.
-FGD Participant, 21 years University Student, Kiambu County 6:18 Kakamega County 10 About 2,000 boys aged between 10 and 15 are undergo the rites passage in Kakamega County. The county education office insists that the boys must be in school until the end term. Provincial administrators have a hard time in this County try to control the wave of ceremonies at the expense of education where boys spend the nights dancing on the roads in preparation for the festival. This undermines boy’s performance in both end term and the KCPE exams. Cases of education records show the pupils’ performance drop drastically during the circumcision period where candidates abandon schools before the end term to join in preparation of the rites passage Society in this county have held on cultural beliefs that place the boys to a disadvantage according to the study 6:19 Circumcision and the boy child The study selected Kakamega County on circumcision and boys. The passage rite or circumcision of boys is carried out in primitive conditions and methods especially by communities who still engaged in outdated cultural practices. The objective of the study was to assess the dangers of unsafe circumcision practices and disadvantages of holding the passage rite during school program. Respondents were clear on amendments and practicalities on the important ritual and registered the following results:1. It revealed that in this county 4.8% of boys drop out of school before they complete primary education. 2. Education of the boys is hampered where many boys were reported to have not enrolled in school. 3. About 200 boys are infected with HIV/AIDS annually due to unhealthy circumcision festivals that put the boys. 4. The study showed that prefects were accused of raping other boys and forcing their juniors to do their laundry. 5. An average of 20 boys end up with circumcision deformities due to inexperienced circumcisers 6. The study recommends the government to ban all traditional circumcisions since they are outdated and should be replaced by healthy methods in health centers. 7. Traditions have continued holding onto retrogressive cultural practices like circumcision with single knife increasing the rate of HIV/AIDS infection and penis deformities among the boy child. 8. Abuse of drugs particularly bhang is rampant during circumcision festivals where many boys are introduced to alcohol and drug abuse thus violating the children’s rights. 9. It recommends to the government to ban circumcision festivals during school calendar or a month before national exams which is done at the expense of education and has adverse effects to the learners especially primary school candidates. 10. It showed that boys dropout and start engaging in gold mines. Child labour amongst the boys is rampant as many of them are manipulated as casual laborers in the mines.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 11. It showed that inconsistency was reported as a major challenge among boys in primary and secondary schools. 12. It recommends the government to declare circumcision free of charge to all boys by also giving them grants. 13. The bill will seek to train all traditional circumcision practitioners in the use of modern antibiotics and safer methods of operation and equip them with modern surgical instruments. 14. The bill seeks to have circumcision fees abolished in public hospitals taking into consideration the high cost of the operations and the economic status of some families. 15. Circumcision must be done in hospitals and strictly be carried by male doctors since it contravenes male dignity and cultural norms for a female to witness or take part in the noble operation as it has been the norm. 16. Women should keep of male child circumcision matters whether in counseling forums or during the initiation period as it was reported to be un-African and bad omen for women to participate in the noble process. 17. The government should waive the cost of circumcision package including post recuperative drugs and introduce programs to sensitive boys on the importance of the cut. 18. The study showed that Kakamega County had a total of 600 rape and defile cases and over 7,500 underage boys are school dropouts where others survive in the streets. 19. The study also showed that 5 out of 10 boys reported that their genitals were squeezed by senior boys. 20. The study also showed that 1 out of 10 boys reported been raped by a girl, woman or house girl. Whereas it is difficult to force these communities to use government hospitals for these rites a bill should be tabled in parliament to consider the above in order to save the boy child from unhealthy methods that put them to a magnitude of risks. Comments from respondents in this county:1. ‚Our people’s customs do not call for male circumcision; a mob of women in Nairobi forced me to be circumcised in a very rudimentary manner but my friend was not lucky, they cut a part of the head of his penis, hence he suffers from erectile dysfunction. Many boys are in this category.‛ -
Student-Kakamega County 2.
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‚News about physical assault or deformity on boys who have attended circumcision rites abound. This is genital mutilation on these boys who are yet to heal the ordeal. There are many cases of these yet to be reported simply because they affect boys, if they affected girls, it would be international news.‛ -Stakeholder Kakamega County
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‚We were forced to go through a traditional circumcision rite not aware that one of us was HIV/AIDS positive, all of as 5 contracted HIV/AIDs. 4 out of 10 Because of stigma one of us committed suicide.‛-30 years student, Kenyatta University FDG
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‚I did my KCPE immediately after I was circumcised, I did not fare well because of pain since I was not healed. The law should protect boys of my age by banning circumcision activity one month before exams are done. Some boys end up missing exams because of discomfort while others are forced to repeat against their will. Education should be prioritized more than the cut.‛ -Pastoralist Kakamega County
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‚Me and my three friends were not willing to be circumcised but they went ahead and circumcised us by force, personally I was not lucky since I was later diagnosed with penile cancer as a result of an improper circumcision by the traditional doctor, Is this not physical abuse against the boys?‛ -Student-Kakamega County
6:20 Abandoned Children Bill (ACB) The Study recommends to the government to create Abandoned Children Bill (ACB) as an affirmative action. The plight of street children is at stake and for no mistake of their own has been left helpless without any government policy. This is a gross violation of the children’s act which is clearly stated in the constitution. Artical53 (i) and reads; Every child has the right; 1. To a name and nationality from birth. 2. To free and compulsory basic education. 3. Right to basic nutrition shelter and health care. 4. To be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment hazardous or exploitative labor. 5. Right to parental care and protection which includes equal responsibility by the parents to provide for the child whether they are married to each other or not. Since most street children take proper identity as to their kin and place of origin, it is the duty of the government to provide for them as stipulated in the children’s act. The study showed that the pains of neglecting the boy child are evident including the upsurge of boys engaging in drugs, alcohol abuse, radicalization and recruitment into illegal gangs.
-Secondary school teacher, Kakamega County
The study recommends to the government to enact a bill that will create:1. Street children homes where they will have compulsory education. 2. Advertise for foster parent ship for these children. 3. Build more rehabilitation Centre’s. 4. Introduce a government department in the ministry of youth and gender specific to address their plight. 5. Prosecution of parents who abuse and abandon their children to beg in the streets.
‚The preferential treatment given to girls in education, food, clothing and security is a time bomb that unless addressed at an early stage may result to gender wars between boys and girls all through to adulthood. Boys are disadvantaged throughout their life and as a result drug abuse rate has also increased tenfold‛ ‛ -Secondary student ” Kakamega County
The study recommends a proposal for abandoned children programs. Currently, the boy child remains the most venerable person to various challenges. Without an affirmative action by the government the situation of the boy child will go from bad to worse. Today he is bearing the blunt of parental neglect, child labour, and alcohol and drug abuse. Etc.
‚Men must be in the forefront in protecting the rights of boys and should buy a leaf from women who have shown great strides in protecting the rights of girls, otherwise the world will soon be led by women after all our boys are drowned in the sea of drugs, substance and alcohol abuse and unsafe circumcision rites.‛
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Most of the street children are boys 90% who lack basic amenities i.e. clothing food and shelter and they live in squalor in urban Centre’s. The bill will save street children and give hope in life by establishing a fund to empower them by enrolling them to educational opportunities like technical skills and entrepreneurship. 1. The bill will also restore dignity to these children by giving them equal opportunity in life. 2. Street children to be role models in society by effective rehabilitation method. 3. To established world class rehabilitation programs and policies. 4. To rid our urban Centre’s off street children immediately. 6:21 Proposed programs will be structured in various categories i.e. 1. Street children rehabilitation. 2. Drugs and alcohol abuse rehab. 3. Children suffering from gender violence. 4. Trauma control Centre’s. The 4 departments will work under national secretarial with branch secretariats in every county. 6:22 Financial structure and Action plan This proposal is for a government program with funding from a vote in parliament. However NGOS can chip in the existing programs if any should be harmonized under the umbrella. The fund will be of benefit to the following:1. The fund will build enough rehabs inclusive of schools and trauma Centre’s, drug and alcohol rehabs in every county ward. 2. The fund will be the basis of scholarships for further education. 3. An awareness program sponsored by the fund will go around the County ward sensitizing the community on the challenge faced by abandoned children. 4. The fund will enable children based research and innovative policies and program implementation within the county and national levels. 5. The fund will help the physically and mentally challenged children including those affected health wise.
‚The implementers of quarter system of education were ill advised and misinformed since children will never be equal in education but equality in access of education should be the key pillar to gender and inter gender equality.‛ -31 years stakeholder, FDG participant. Kiambu County Stakeholders expressed their concern that enacting affirmative action laws that last forever is unfair and infringes those rights of the other gender and in this particular case the boy has been marginalized at the expense of the girl. The consequences on the other hand have been upsurge of crime among the male child and defilement and sexual abuse and violence among many other social ills that affect both genders adversely due to unprofessional programs and government policies. ‚Can somebody in the government inform our boys when or how long the quota system of education was meant to last and publish the policy for public awareness?-20 years student, Nairobi University FDG ‚Quota system of education is the most retrogressive government policy of the day. The meaning of fare grading in exams has been compromised by this fact.‛
-25 years stakeholder, FDG participant. Nakuru County ‚The key policy agenda of the Education Ministry should be based on merit and not entertain gender animosity, hatred and feminism to rule at the expense of the male gender, period!‛
-30 years stakeholder, FDG participant. Kakamega County
6:23 Quota system of education The study recommends the government to abolish quota system of education. Access to education is now equal and universal to both genders. The quota system is long past its sell by date. The consequences of quota system of education puts girls to an added unfair advantage over boys and in the next 10 years there will be more educated women than men thereby denying the male gender equal opportunities with the female gender deliberately. ‚Equal access to education is the only basis and foundation of not just gender equality but inter-gender equality. It should be the yardstick to gender and inter-equality and both the girl and the boy should have equal access to education more so in enrollment of primary, secondary, college and university education.‛
29 years stakeholder, FDG participant. Kilifi County ‚Deterring the boy to equal education access with the girl is both retrogressive and archaic.‛
-36 years stakeholder, FDG participant. Meru County ‚ Boys and girls don’t enjoy a fare competing environment since girls are enrolled with lower marks than boys.‛
-23 years stakeholder, FDG participant. Nyeri County
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Chapter 7 Focus Group Discussions
7:1 Study limitations This research is based on cross-sectional surveys, and therefore causality cannot be assigned to the findings. Moreover, the study was conducted with sobriety and purposively chosen cluster groups with specific aims and objectives. Some of the statistically significant correlations may simply represent the willingness of men of a particular age or from certain communities or settings to speak openly about their marital issues of topics that may be socially stigmatizing among other issues. Although the study is therefore not general, it provides new insight into what is needed to move forward in combating the pervasive nature of VAMB. The findings suggest an all-inclusive process and a rights-based framework to address both the structural causes of men’s vulnerability and impact on individuals at community, program and policy levels. 7:2 The policy and program response A major feature of this survey is the inclusion of an in-depth look, from multiple perspectives, at the policy and program responses to gender based violence. We analyzed responses from key decision makers, service providers, and service users. It showed a consistent pattern of robust policy formulation for female gender but weak patterns of implementation, resulting in relatively poor knowledge of and use of services on the part of male gender advocacy campaigns. Many decision makers at some levels are aware of the specific contents of existing laws to protect VAMB. In practice, however, it was also recognized by a number of interviewees that implementation and public knowledge of these laws have been less than ideal. Though not unexpected, this lack of knowledge is still cause for concern. A majority of men were aware of sexual offences laws possibly due to the stiff penalties and the many men convicted in prisons. It was notable that in the constituency-level survey, men were more likely to know about protective laws if they had higher levels of education, were richer, and had strong social networks. Knowledge of the law need not be a prerequisite for help when violence occurs, but lack of knowledge that protective mechanisms exist can inhibit men’s ability to seek support.
7:3 Community Level - Raise awareness of GBV Our results indicate a low level of community awareness of a number of factors that may contribute to VAMB and hinder effective responses. The following were some of the solutions registered:1. A holistic awareness campaign incorporating mass media and outreach should be launched. 2. While mass media can be an effective way to disseminate new information, our study found that almost 35% of male respondents were not exposed to the media on a regular basis, and media exposure was correlated with age, class, education and other variables that require a sophisticated approach. 3. Finally, as the study found among men interviewed that a majority of those who had experienced violence either did not report it or reported it only to friends or family and relatives, these protective networks should be utilized and enhanced. 4. Develop targeted outreach messages and mechanisms that effectively reach men within their communities and cultural barriers, considering mass media accessibility, and taking account of levels of illiteracy. Key messages include:1. Rights of men under specific laws related to VAMB. 2. The important role family members and friends can play in preventing VAMB or GBV as well as helping survivors seek assistance and justice. 3. The kinds of assistance available generally and locally since a majority of men respondents said they didn't believe reporting as a solution. 4. Develop targeted awareness programs for community leaders i.e. religious or village leaders. 7:4 Develop innovative mechanisms for increasing policy accountability Key finding across a range of stakeholders was the perception that state-mandated mechanisms for GBV were not fully implemented. 1. The levels of poverty and illiteracy were also a barrier for people to assess knowledge. 2. It was recommended that all laws relating to gender and the constitution of Kenya be translated to all tribal languages so that the public can averse the contents of these laws. 3. The capacity to implement policies and programs for that implementation must be increased. It was suggested that innovative new mechanisms for increasing accountability should be considered. 4. Promote community-led use of modern technology and FM radio stations to assess and record program delivery and effectiveness. 7:5 Address potential drivers of GBV In focus group discussions and interviews with key decision makers among both men and women, the study found a great deal of consensus regarding why violence happens. These common views of social and structural dynamics, along with data gleaned from the quantitative study, can be used to identify potential entry points to reduce risks. Increase community-level efforts to advance men's empowerment in order to address some of the potential drivers of VAMB or GBV, including limited access to education and unemployment opportunities and Identify potential entry points to reduce VAMB risks, and launch pilot interventions.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 7:6 Improve official awareness and accountability Even among staff responsible for implementing specific laws and policies to address VAMB or GBV, there was misunderstanding and incomplete knowledge of the exact content of the laws and their own responsibility in implementation. Among some respondents there was a perception that the police in particular do not treat VAMB with enough sensitivity for men to feel confident reporting to them since most men are turned away or arrested and victimized as perpetrators instead. Recommended measures to address this include: 1. Develop and/or strengthen training programs at the county level and raise staff awareness regarding VAMB related laws and the services available to survivors, emphasizing the staff obligation to enforce law and provide services addressing VAMB. 2. Strengthen accountability mechanisms to improve staff performance. Provide ongoing professional internship training and councilors’ and develop sanctions mechanisms if professional standards are breached. 3. Address concerns, through outreach and heightened enforcement, regarding impunity and/or corruption among police and prosecutors. 4. Mobilize local media, particularly vernacular FM radio stations, to inform the wider community of legal provisions and mechanisms obtaining justice regarding VAMB. 5. Exercise equal gender protection and advocacy strategies. 6. Avoid implementing programs that are a disadvantage to either gender, unproductive or a national security threat. 7. Analyze or define gender roles, their productivity and efficiency. ‚Recruitment of security personnel’s does not do justice to the males for several reasons. I don’t understand why males are subjected to more vigorous and odious programs of recruitment and training than women who are joining the same force. Cases of men dying and been assaulted in the training and recruitment process are worrying. Furthermore, men are sent to volatile war zones while women are sent to work in less risky areas with equal pay. Is this not economic abuse and inequality in the security arm? I thought this job was meant for males only, where do women come in? No wonder, women in night patrols are seen accompanied by men, meaning that, men are meant to give their women colleague’s security at the expense of other Kenyans? Might this be one of the reasons that influence their fall at work or defeat? -Stakeholder Security officer Nairobi County ‚The terrorist attack in Garissa University was a tragedy of unparalleled dimensions. Of the students who lost their lives, the government and the media focused more on the female students despite the fact that more male students lost their lives. Equality was compromised; the investigating team and people sending consoling messages were more concerned about female students, male student’s desired same attention.‛ -Stakeholder, FDG Nakuru County ‚Suppose the police who died in Kapendo are females? You would expect a lot of hue and cry government and media attention lasting days on end. Prayers and instant compensation to the survivors of the poor families including building a commemoration point to honor and celebrate the gallant officers, but for men it is just another working day-God help us! It is unfortunate that female officers are treated with specialty in the same job group.‛ -Stake holder Kilifi County
‚I am a survivor of post-election violence. I lost relatives and friends whom were presumed dead since neither their bodies nor their graves bear testimony to their disappearance. The government did not care to give a correct tally for all the men who died but instead concentrated on the female. The plight of men in this whole issue was neglected and no male study was done to determine the exact number of missing or dead which was twice the number reported. My son went missing to date. This displays extent of male discrimination by the government. -41 years, married, 3 children Nyeri County 7:7 Improve capacity to fully implement laws A problem was noted regarding implementation of legal requirement for full medical check-up in sexual assaults. The study recommends:1. Increase victims’ access to timely, legally credible, medical screening in cases of rape or sexual assault, by having, for example, a centralized, fully trained, specialist medical team [e.g. at ward level] able to travel to more remote areas on short notice in cases of alleged sexual assault. 2. Mobilize trained male community health volunteers and councilors to help victims get free medical services. Another area where a lack of program capacity was noted was lack of male shelter homes at the constituency level. The study recommends:1. Establish at least one male shelter home in every County where survivors are able to stay in the homes freely till they recover. 2. Mobilize local media, FM radio stations, in particular, to disseminate information about availability of services and accessing shelter services. 7:8 Develop mechanisms to prevent VAMB and GBV “ Enhance psychosocial and other services available to children of GBV victims in order to break the potential cycle of violence and victimization. The study found that a much higher percentage of men who witnessed GBV in their childhood reported being survivors too. “ Create concrete opportunities for greater cooperation between government officials and local organizations combating GBV. For example, government and NGO service providers could work together to develop standards of care for GBV victims or create simple protocols that guarantee confidentiality. 7:9 Conduct a policy review of legal gaps and barriers 1. Revisions to specific laws addressing GBV are needed to ensure equality before the law (i.e. for people in marital relationships, live in couples, divorced, separated or engaged). 2. A review is needed of barriers to implementation, particularly focusing on whether police and judicial authorities have sufficient power to investigate accusations of VAMB. 3. Introduce gender studies in the curriculum that will ensure awareness and equality are consistent with prevention and management. 4. A review is needed of policies related to the advertising industry to develop a ‚gender code of conduct‛ that will not show erotic or nude men or women in form of statues or in advertisements but promote positive images of men or women as economic and social agents, rather than helpless sexual victims which are the cause of some accidents due to mind distraction, sexual enticement and gender abuse and violence. 7:10 Enhance evidence base for action For some issues, there was a perception that current data are insufficient to fully understand and address VAMB. We recommend the following areas for future evidence gathering:-
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 1.
2. 3. 4.
5. 6.
Compared data with released Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data to identify further risk factors for victims of VAMB, as well as risk factors for men to commit GBV (e.g. drugs, substance and alcohol abuse). This analysis could improve outreach and micro-targeting of messages, and enhance the delivery of services. In-depth research to determine localities that are at a greater risk. This study indicated that men living in urban areas may be at greater risk due to common factors. A deeper understanding would allow law enforcement and service providers to better deploy scarce resources. Obtain more data about the role that women can play in prevention, and assess ways men are themselves victims. Clarify the causal relationship between VAMB and adverse health consequences. The study found a link between GBV and adverse physical and mental health, but this link shows correlation not causation.
The experiences of violence against men recounted in this study are the result of institutionalized discrimination and a holistic approach is needed to address both the root causes and explore the effects of this violence. Men’s narratives and stakeholders’ accounts analyzed in this study suggest that women’s legal subordination, economic empowerment programs, dependency and social security position are key structural factors creating a context in which VAMB can become widespread. Most pertinently, men identified their own key role in reducing the risk of GBV; participants in the FGDs stated that no program on GBV would be successful without their active participation and involvement as equal afflicted members in family. In order to assess men’s knowledge of laws and services we asked the following questions:-
-Have you heard about domestic violence laws or do you know of any? -Do you know of any sexual offence law? -Are you aware of marital rape and have you heard of any case? Decision-makers were identified through a process of listing that mapped out the key stakeholders responsible for suggestions on policy level decision making and programs implementation. This stakeholders listing was prepared by the study executive team in consultation with key informants. We reviewed stakeholder’s knowledge of and attitudes towards the current policies and strategy status addressing Violence against Men and Boys-VAMB. ‚Health care providers and police should be given additional training to deal sensitively with victims of violence; some are so rude and unprofessional when handling GBV matters and personally I must say that the police station is not the best place to report domestic matters. I would rather report to elders or friends than the police.‛
-49 years, married FGD participant, Isiolo County 7:11 Perceptions of prevalence of violence Stakeholders perceived that violence is common in Kenya. Men were perceived to be at risk of domestic, economic, emotional violence, rape and witchcraft. Men’s risk of violence was also perceived to be prevalent at the workplace, political arena and in public and not only confined to the domestic sphere. A man’s risk of violence is seen as a life cycle hazard:-
‚It begins at home when he is a boy. He is neglected and deprived of education, good food and good health care. It begins from there and leads to a point where they are killed when engaging in criminal activities i.e. robbery, theft terrorism and radicalization. Meaning there is a range of violence that is vulnerable to the male child, including cattle rustling so as to get married, risky circumcision methods, forced marriages, child labor, war and gangs recruitment.‛ -
Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚Violence has broadened to a wider domain from its usual place in the house to the workplace, in public places and in political arenas. Same should be done to services and implementers of policies, they should think outside the family level where men are mostly disadvantaged i.e. employment and sexual harassment which is the order of the day.‛
- Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚Since the time my wife got a job with the County Government, she has grown horns and sometimes behaves like a wild cat; she portrays me like an intruder to her new life. I married her with virtually nothing! I personally maneuvered to secure the opportunity but I now regret the good gesture. My hope was that when we are both employed we would help each other in uplifting our lives. My friend’s wife who also secured a job at the same place has already separated after she eloped with an MCA, this act is more serious than domestic abuse as married couples!‛- Participant Focus Discussion Group 7:12 Factors perceived to contribute to VAMB Most of the participants identified similar drivers of GBV, of course including among others selective women economic empowerment, vivid laws that favor women and not to mention other factors like men’s dominant position in society, social cultural practices such as dowry and polygamy, some women’s lack of education and employment opportunities, poor knowledge of protective laws, abuse of drugs and alcohol and poverty. ‚Masculinity is under crisis currently and men are now viewed as second class citizens and no one cares about them. In order to stop violence against men, both women and men must be consulted in order to explore solutions as a family unit and not as a one gender issue as it has always been.‛ - Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚In my opinion, infidelity among women and alcoholism among men are the main causes of quarrels in the family but we need not repeat this, we need to explore the root cause why many women are unfaithful to their husbands and why men have spoilt themselves with alcohol. - Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚Cases of physical violence against men affect the couples who are illiterate and particularly wives who are less educated than their husbands. This drives to a fact that a majority of women are less educated due to marrying at a young age at the expense of higher education. I suggest rising the age of marriage to 23 years but am not very sure whether this can solve the issue taking note of our African culture and lifestyle‛ - Participant Focus Discussion Group 7:13 Knowledge of and attitudes towards laws on VAMB Majority of stakeholders were not aware of GBV laws:- ‚I don’t know about these laws, though I am the police officer manning this gender desk, It deals with GBV issues but one needs a lawyer when it comes to interpretation of the law, how can you expect me to know all of them, am just a police officer, period.‛ - Participant Focus Discussion Group
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚The existing laws are very loose, and they do not give justice to the victims. Moreover, once they complain, the victims tend to get more violence from the perpetrator. I do not think these laws are helpful, may be people can seek help from Faith Based Organizations-FBO, i.e. the Muslim Faith has managed to address most of domestic violence in their own way without necessarily referring to state laws.‛
‚There is a problem in the implementation of the law as well but no one is focusing on publicizing the law in different languages. Civil education must also be done to make people aware that laws exists thus there should be a budget for civic education.‛
- Participant Focus Discussion Group
7:15 Efforts on VAMB matters Efforts and perceptions of government responses on VAMB are not handled with the seriousness in comparison with the way issues of female gender are tackled:‚The government should have activities on VAMB such as declaring a week of action on violence against male gender and drafting laws to address domestic violence against male gender and persecution for witchcraft activities.‚-Participant Focus Discussion Group
‚Fines and sentences for criminals are very minimal and not strict enough; criminals are easily released on bail even after grievous bodily harm i.e. chopping off a man’s penis, scald with hot water or acid, gouged out eyes, knife stabs, chopping off legs or hands or machete cuts etc.‛ -Participant FDG ‚To avert GBV both genders must be involved in policy and implementation, you cannot condemn a person in his or her absence‛ -Stakeholder Makueni County In addition to a perceived lack of appropriate punishment for perpetrators, stakeholders felt that there is too little provision for the protection of survivors of violence. At the national level, respondents noted several problems with current GBV laws:‚Gender favoritism in court is similar to corruption and should stop. Women are no longer the weaker sex as stipulated in the increasing roles they have occupied hitherto male dominated territory. Women have turned tables and are more violent today than never. Mention anything, you will find them in crime or wealth.‛ -41 years married with 4 children Muranga County
- Participant Focus Discussion Group
These are seen as extremely important pending matters in raising the profile of VAMB:- ‚I will agree with the government that will make these efforts a reality. Issues of gender should be handled directly from the Office of the President or handed to the First Lady so as to address them with the urgency they deserve.‛
- Participant Focus Discussion Group 7:16 Efforts to address VAMB at the village level Results of efforts at the village level and below were seen as mixed. Thus, while there have been efforts to establish shelter homes or police gender desks, very little is happening at village level:‚Awareness raising activities and training programs are out of reach in these areas and it’s either through the help of the government or NGOs that these areas can be reached.‛
- Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚Staff regulations or misconduct particularly in the private sector should be addressed i.e. sexual harassment at workplace or civil service since no law is present.‛ -Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚There are still a lot of gaps in the law, even for those that have been improved. For instance, a domestic violence act has been passed, but without giving adequate power to the police to investigate or to keep the accused under detention.‛ - Participant Focus Discussion Group ‚The law that prohibits same sex relationships has a lot of gaps since homosexuality and rape by men against men is a disaster that needs to be addressed urgently to save our boys.‛ - Stakeholder ‚Those living together but not married have no legal status, so who will give them protection? The law has been very silent on how to deal with these cases.‛ - Participant Focus Discussion Group 7:14 Perceptions regarding implementation of laws While it was noted that laws exist on paper, implementation and delivery of an effective response were felt to be insufficient in many cases. Respondents also recognized the possibility of high level of corruption, mentioning bribes and political interferences for the release of suspects. Problems with implementation of an effective response, respondents identified several areas that could be addressed to strengthen the laws that include:‚There should be established comprehensive programs covering our youth especially in matters of relationship and cultural education. This is a cardinal law in our culture and more emphasis should be implemented in our learning institutions.‛ Stakeholder
7:17 No shelter home for male victims ‚Who is supposed to answer me and who is to be blamed and is somebody somewhere not doing his or her work? Why don’t we have shelter homes for GBV in Kenya either for women or men? ‛ -
Participant Focus Discussion Group 7:18 Male Rights Defenders challenges Interestingly, Kenya has only one known Male Rights Defender (MRD) MAWE has been working tirelessly to support survivors in most of the counties since 2009. The MRD gather information, investigate and report on violations of human rights and are involved in protecting, promoting and exercising the civil, social, legal, political and economic rights of men. MAWE has been working to create a common platform to advocate for their rights. MAWE office headquarters in Nairobi showed 70% of cases reported by men are dismissed at the police stations where no action was taken. Many men as a result succumb to illnesses or hunger since some are detained in homes without food and /or medical attention. Attempts to rescue some men have always being thwarted by police officers who arrest us after being compromised by female spouses whose reasons to lock their husbands so as to deny adequate medication and cause early deaths and are well known by the community. MAWE office has documented over 300 such cases where with limited power tries to take appropriate action. ‚A majority of men countrywide are aware of the presence of MAWE and its duties and but since it relies on its members for funds and wellwishers. It is hard to reach all survivors on time or at their time of need due to funds constraints. However it is better to have such services than none. -Life Member - MAWE
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 MAWE was registered as an NGO in 2014 and has been getting support from ardent members who have managed to collect data and do various researches on issues affecting males i.e. visiting survivors in hospitals, offsetting bills, rescuing men from violent wives, drafting bills that protect males, advocating rights through campaigns and seminars countrywide. This however was met with a range of challenges including insufficient funds among others. An example of one case of rescue: ‚MAWE chairman was arrested and arraigned in court with an offence of breaking into a victims house, however the operation was successful and the man was rescued and taken to hospital unconscious and denied medication, he recuperated after been admitted for two weeks. This kind of situation where MAWE is found on the wrong side of law happens regularly and the organization needs state protection from harassment by the police.‛ -Executive Member - MAWE ‚I first thought that MAWE is a government organization because of the way it helped me and handled my case of gender violence with passion. I still remember that fateful night when my wife attempted to murder me but God saved me from the jaws of death. What traumatizes me more is the fact that she was freed by the court which ruled that there was no case to answer, men are treated like animals in this country while women are worshipped like gods‛
-46 years ”Simon Kiguta - separated - Nyeri County ‚All women are in the bracket of the marginalized-Article 100 of the constitution. This misconception is meant to endanger gender relations. When women belief this misconception they automatically react wildly and violent. This Article should be amended to read that, any person may be marginalized according to his or her status.‛ -38 years separated 2 children Machakos County
I wish I was born a woman, men and women are incomparable. From childhood to death, women are favored, treated with love, higher employment opportunities and gifts on a silver platter, I think I would be very different, no wonder men are charging their gender status but no woman has tried to change to a man, big question!.‛ -36 years unemployed man, Kiambu County ‚Some young men cannot qualify to inherit properties since they have spoilt themselves with a whole range of social ills.‛ -28 years married 1 child Homa Bay County ‚Women have being more favored by the education system of this country. More women than men are graduating from our colleges and universities and the quota system of education should be abolished if men are to catch up with women numbers in education. Am in the university and am speaking from a boy’s point of view.‛ -20 years student Kisii County‚ ‚When I see MAWE on TVs debates, I see a sense of Mahatma Gandhi who fought tirelessly for the rights of Indians, I see some genes of Dal lLama of Tibet China, I remember Martin Luther King fighting against segregation of the blacks in U.S.A, I see a Massai Moran who has courage to face off with a lion. I see God in him. What you do makes sense to the world, Congratulations.‛ -29 years married 2 wives, 4 children Kilifi County
‚It is common to notice women as guards in banks and institutions. Funny enough, they are given daytime roles but accompanied by men, I can bet, you will never see a woman guarding at night, does this sector need gender equity really? Ever heard of ‘watchwoman‛
Security guard, married, 3 children Nairobi County
‚Inheritance laws enshrined in the constitution are contrary to cultural values of communities‛-46 years married 3 children Homa Bay County
7:19 Areas for improvement, addressing gaps in laws/policies We solicited opinions from a majority of interviewees on how to improve policies and programs to prevent GBV and provide support to survivors and results were summarized. Existing laws were felt to have many gaps in both their formulation and implementation. Respondents mentioned the inadequacy of some existing laws, and problems in the implementation of the laws:-
‚It is both naïve and stupid to pretend that curses don’t exist in this 21st Century. They have very serious repercussions on the guilty party and sometimes it is impossible to revoke. Curses are bound with norms and women who batter men are cursed in the African norms.‛ -34 years married 3 children Machakos County
‚If a man is getting mental torture from her wife or other members of the family, it is not seen as domestic violence. When men report their cases of domestic violence, the police encourage them to compromise without legal action, and say such things are normal and happen between a husband and wife once in a while‛.- Stakeholder
‚Women County Reps are a slight to gender equality, it is unfair to continue having these positions, they either are scrapped, open to both gender or parliament creates men county reps too.‛ -39 years separated 4 children Nairobi County
‚Whatever the law says, it has to be made effective without favoring either gender. In many places, it’s very hard to implement the law where the woman is the perpetrator, legislation is not enough. Say, in a case of marital rape and where the couples were all alone in the house, how can such a case be handled without an eye witness or anyone else in the house? Many women who are not in terms with their husbands can take advantage of this law with intension to nail the man for rape. Who can be deemed to be speaking the truth? Many will be quick to say woman, but it is not always true.‛
‚Marriage is very critical and a sensitive issue that cannot be resolved by police or chiefs, traditional solutions can work better for gender conflicts that are witnessed.‛-Student FDG Mt Kenya University
‚Availability of cheap liquor has eroded the moral fabric of the male youths and they no longer respect their elders or teachers.‛ -32 years married 3 children Homa Bay County These are some of the challenging views and comments by men that clearly show that things are not so well with the male gender. ‚According to World Health Organization WHO, the rate in which men are dyeing is alarming. Suicide cases and male mortality rate is very high while that of women remains low. A task force should be set up by the government to investigate the worrying trend of events.‛
-35 years married with 6 children Homa Bay County
- Stakeholder FDG Meru University 7:20 Increasing collaboration and co-operation There are a multitude of institutions and organizations in both public and private sectors that work to address violence against women. Including the male gender and increasing co-operation between genders was seen as key to a strong and sustained response:-
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚I feel that the government has not taken enough initiative to build partnerships between itself, other institutions and NGOs so as to effectively formulating strategies. Disconnection in government and gender institutions in cooperation is evident, so I cannot imagine how men can receive help from these institutions since they practically are a symbol of women.‛ -Student FDG University Nairobi County
‚Referral link hospitals that can handle men and boys gender violence issues similar to the Nairobi Women Hospital are lacking. Some men are usually taken to this hospital but are not comfortable since it seems to handle women and girls gender violence victims. It is the high time that men should wake up from slumber and realize the situation they are in because of their ego.
-Stakeholder FDG Homa Bay County ‚A major problem is lack of NGOs that work on violence against male gender. I have only heard of MAWE that addresses VAMB, all other NGOs talk about the female gender and girl child. I have no problem with that but am worried that the worst might happen on the part of the boys who have been neglected right from the family to government level. Co-ordination between NGOs and government to save the situation can be a solution‛. Stakeholder 7:21 Strengthening service provision One key issue raised by multiple respondents was the behavior and stand of the government on Violence against Men and in particular the boy child. Cases of fraud against men and blackmail by their spouses or girlfriends to transfer their valuable property only to learn later that they were cunningly hoodwinked are on the rise. ‚I am a victim of regular theft by my legally married wife. I transformed my wholesale business to a retail shop due to my wife’s mismanagement and money theft. When I enquire, she tells me that I am the cause of the problem. I decided to engage an accountant but she threatened me with separation if I dare involve an auditor in our family business, I really don’t know the next move! -Stakeholder, victim of economic abuse ‚The government has the mechanism to protect its citizens. It is not that it lacks funds, but coordination and management is either on the wrong hands or it is the design of the government to discriminate the male gender at the expense of the female gender. Of course there are funds for skill-training, health checkups, economic empowerment and everything else that will protect ‘Wanjiku and Moi’ without gender bias. Men need to speak about this gender discrimination and ask where and how funds that are meant to cater for males and particularly the boy child goes or whether it goes to some few corrupt individuals who have been delegated to work for gender issues.‛
-Student FDG University Nairobi County ‚I have never seen or heard of a shelter home where men or boys can find refugee; survivors cannot be kept for a long in somebody’s house for obvious reasons i.e. privacy and lack of resources. So there is an urgent need to establish homes and resource centers.‛ -Stakeholder In hospitals, a confidential environment is prudent, many men share their stories where there is privacy otherwise some may not even admit that they were actually assaulted by their wives. Therefore, health facilities, including referral hospitals, should be friendly to men, to provide a confidential environment and counseling, so that men and particularly boys can share their ordeals freely.‛ -Stakeholder ‚Never mind when you learn that you are not free to visit your friend in his house since about 70% of families are women dominated and are not willing to cook or welcome visitors so as to conceal the gender based violence against their husbands and have dominated marriage relationships.‛ Stakeholder
7:22 Reporting domestic abuse and violence in the office of administration chief Many stake holders expressed their disappointed on the responsibility of the government to adequately address Gender Based Violence and particularly men’s vulnerability by abandoning all to rights groups. Cases of women colluding with assistant chiefs and chiefs on gender and marriage disputes against men were rampant:‚The office of the chief or assistant chief has no capacity to solve domestic violence cases since it was not founded or equipped for that purpose. It is therefore very wrong to entrust marriages under inexperienced laymen and women.‛ -Stakeholder 7:23 Raising community awareness For hundreds of years food poisoning has been the most common method of husbands termination .Today with scores of different poisons, food or drink laced with these toxins is had to trace. Any suspicious death should be thoroughly investigated as cases of poisoning usually originate from home:‚Men don’t know their gender rights and they suffer in silence. Men are too proud to accept that they are being marginalized at home. They would rather suffer than go public. It is a taboo in Africa and society to admit that you are beaten by your wife. However it is a fact that it is happening and often it is too late to save men since many are either in the grave or hospitalized.‛ -Stakeholder ‚Everyone should be his brother’s keeper particularly men since they tend to ignore their neighbors or friends facing marital problems until when it is too late. This is evident since after an assault or where murder is committed, friends and neighbors give account that they witnessed regular abuse before the fateful day.‛ -Stakeholder ‚The attitude of the public has to be changed. There are so many types of violence that are not recognized. For instance, in a domestic violence, one or two slaps or infectious insults or disrespect is not considered as violence that can be reported. It is important to challenge the concept that violence is only recognized when only a physical assault is committed.‛ - Stakeholder ‚GBV may not be recognized at the community level or given high priority until it is too late. Stakeholders felt it was important to raise awareness of the prevention and consequences of GBV among both community members and service providers.‛ - Stakeholder ‚The police department should recruit trained officers and counselors from both genders to man the gender desks so as to receive reports and deal with them professionally.‛- Stakeholder ‚Violence is not just about physical results but also includes threat or emotional abuse which is the most common in households. We must prevent violence where there is a possibility. The state must not engage only after the violence is done, but instead should engage in prevention structures to avoid violence.‛ -Stakeholder
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚Police don’t have adequate power to investigate perpetrators or to arrest them, establishing laws is not enough. - Stakeholder ‚The community should be made aware of the reporting process. Awareness programs should especially be carried out in rural areas. To develop the habit of reporting, counseling should be prioritized to the families of the survivors as well.‛- Stakeholder ‚Some cases where a man is involved in physical battering. Some people tend to justify it to disciplinary action due to irresponsibility or alcohol abuse and are not treated as violence‛. - Stakeholder 7:24 Generating response ‚It takes time, one official comes and is sensitized, then he leaves and we have to sensitize again, as they all come from different backgrounds, so projects takes too long. Discontinuity is seen a lot in the government sector.‛ - Stakeholder We have undertaken a comprehensive survey of the context, prevalence and consequences of VAMB in Kenya, exploring the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. The results highlight the allpervasive nature of VAMB in the country, and the heavy burden it inflicts on the lives of survivors. Our analysis of the policy and programmatic responses to this blight on men’s lives exposes the gaps between policy and implementation. Our cross-sectional survey of 1700 men and 300 women at the counties level, randomly selected, found that close to 55% men reported experiencing violence in their lifetime, and over 48% had experienced violence in the past 12 months. This reflects the broad range of abuse, stigma, and exclusion to which men are subjected to at all ages. Men reported being subjected to emotional abuse, physical and sexual violence. Analyzing men’s narratives generated from FGDs and complex experiences shared drew a conclusion that:1. Social institutions i.e. family, community, market and the state are not gender responsive and in many cases these social institutions largely contributed further violence by not taking actions against perpetuators. 2. Laws and policies themselves do not function, they need responsive implementer/s, and mechanism that is/are aware/sensitive both conceptually and programmatically about gender based violence. 7:25 Some men are more at risk of violence Given the relatively large sample size of this study, we were able to conduct multivariate analysis to identify the underlying characteristics of men who were more likely to report violence. Men who reported being jointly involved in decision making with their partners were less likely to report recent violence. This research is based on cross-sectional surveys; therefore causality cannot be inferred from the findings; only associations can be noted. Moreover, our study did not include men in the Diaspora. Some of the statistically significant associations may simply represent the willingness of men of a particular age, or from particular communities or settings to speak openly about their lifetime experiences of matters that may be socially stigmatizing among other groups. It is possible, for example, men in the Diaspora really suffer higher levels of violence than men living in their native land since laws and gender institutions in developed nations focus most on female than male.
Disentangling the truth of these findings would require prospective cohort studies combined with more analysis on men living abroad and gender and domestic based violence. 7:26 Men are most at risk of violence from people closest to them Quantitative and in-depth studies revealed not only the wide experience of violence permeating men’s lives, but also the range of perpetrators responsible for such violence. Intimate partners, family members, neighbors, and occasionally unknown strangers directed violent behavior towards men. In the main, however, men reported being most at risk from those who are closest to them, particularly intimate partners [spouses or girlfriends]. Men who had never been married were half as likely to report any lifetime experience of violence as men who were currently or previously in a marriage. Intimate partners were the most commonly reported perpetrators of physical, emotional and economic violence. 7:27 Man is most at risk of violence from economically empowered wives The study explored the issue of selective funding and showed that a majority of men were at risk of violence from women who were economically empowered. It indicated that women’s selective funding has contributed more to family breakups than any other single cause. The study analyzed the following recommendations:1. Women Enterprise Fund [WEF] should be transformed to Family Fund [FF] so as to cater for the whole family with husband and wife sharing equal access and responsibility on loans repayment. 2. That no married woman/man should be allowed to take any government loan without the consent of the husband/wife and most likely the physical appearance should be necessary. 3. That all government established loan facilities i.e. the Uwezo Fund [UF] should be open to men above the age of 35 years so as to equally access gender empowerment as per the constitution. 4. It suggested a formation of Single Parents Empowerment Fund [SPEF] to cater for both single mothers and single fathers. 7:28 What are the consequences of such violence? Violence exacts a heavy toll on men’s emotional, physical and sexual wellbeing. The consequences of violence range from the psychological to the physical. Among men who reported ever experiencing violence had at least one health problem ranging from i.e. anxiety, stress, depression to the more chronic symptoms i.e. hypertension, high blood pressure to suicidal attempts and mental illnesses. Over 20% of men reported psychological problems i.e. fear, depression, inferiority complex, tension and some had attempted suicide „ a rate 10 times higher than reported by men who had not experienced violence. 7:29 What are the perceived causes of violence? One of the strengths of this study is that evidence on particular issues was collected from both genders. In FGD, exploring why violence happens, men and women offered remarkably similar reasons echoed in interviews with key decision makers. Some of the factors leading to violence were located at the social and structural levels. For example, men’s relative unemployment were said to underlie many of the vulnerabilities exposing them to the risk of violence. Skewed empowerment opportunities by the government and gender discrimination in the working places were identified by the key decision makers as an important contributor to men’s vulnerability to violence by their spouses.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 7:30 How do men respond to violence? Majority of men were unaware of specific services available in their community and had nowhere to seek refuge after going through violence. Majority men had no confidence reporting to such places citing police and chiefs end up colluding with wives and are later rearrested as perpetrators instead of their wives. They would rather report to friends, relatives or NGO’s than report to neighbors, police or chiefs post and claimed disputes were solved in favour of women. According to the study, reports made to this places ended up fueling more gender violence because of their un-confidentiality surrounding the report. Men named police and chiefs posts as sites where help is impossible to get. However, men also noted the potential negative consequences of seeking care, such as increased risk of violence from the perpetrators 26%, as well as other reasons for not accessing care, including distance to travel 10%, sympathizing with the state of their children in case of separation 50% and concern about the effect on their reputation because of cultural aspect 90%. Perhaps as a consequence of these and other barriers, a majority of men who had suffered any kind of violence neither discussed their problem with others nor sought outside help. The results showed the following:1. 30% of male survivors had sought help, and this figure varied by the type of violence. 2. Men who had been sexually assaulted were the least likely to seek help since it was a bedroom affair. 3. Men who had been economically emasculated were the most likely to report. 4. Among the 30% of men who had sought help, a large majority turned to family members or elders rather than formal, state or non-state services for confidentiality. 5. Among the 30% of men who had sought help, half of them were physically assaulted and therefore could not hide from public or bare the abuse any longer. 6. Men in FGDs identified similar barriers to service seeking. In addition, men cited a potential threat of violence from service provider’s particularly chief post as barrier to seeking care. 7:31 Perceived reasons why men stay in an abusive relationship 1. Love 2. Fear of embarrassment 3. Cultural norms 4. Commitment to life marriage 5. Threat by spouse 6. Children custody 7. Financial distress 8. Age factor 9. Concern about children 10. Suicide blackmail 11. Religion factor 12. Hopes that the situation will change 7:32 Gender balanced national budget. 1. A careful analysis of the national budget reveals that its expenditure is not in line with the policy of gender equality most of the tax payers are males and national budget deserves its revenue from taxes. A lot of its expenditure is earmarked for female gender i.e. Maendeleo ya Wanawake, girl child programs, women and youth fund etc. The males as the major tax payers are left out. It is only fair that males should also be address in these funds and policies. 2. A bill to balance gender issues is the budget should be tabled with the following considerations.
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All enterprise funds should be family based. Many women who are beneficiaries continue reaping profits while many of their husbands continue providing for the family with the little income they get from other businesses. Government should stop referring women as marginalized except in exceptional circumstances like culture constrains. Some men are marginalized and don’t have income generating activities in order to service their obligations as family heads. Women who access these funds tend to incorporate men in these enterprises and instead threaten them with eviction.
‚I am a businessman in Nairobi and am not happy with the way the government utilizes my taxes. I thought that the same should be used to empower both genders without discrimination. Personally I don’t need empowerment but am talking on behalf of the men in the villages who have no income generating activities and the government is not doing anything to alleviate their plight. I am tired of meeting these young and industrious men during holidays with no income activities. I am tax payer but of late I have started evading paying taxes and supporting some of them at least.‛
-37 years married with 5 children, Nairobi County. ‚It is unfortunate that majority of male leaders are pretenders and suffer from ‘malegomasculiniticalitical’ feminism deficiency syndrome, most of them are abused by their wives and still continue voting for laws that are against males. These males are either confused or bewitched by their female counterparts in parliament since they represent females more than males. Personally I have boycotted the coming general election and am not ready to vote anyone for now.‛ -Senior bachelor FGD participant Kilifi County 7:33 Men support groups The study revealed that men don’t have support groups to address their social problems in direct contrast to women who have such groups. As a result the study concluded that:1. Men might continue to suffer sexual and gender harassment. 2. Men are more likely to suffer from depression related diseases such as ulcers and hypertension. 3. Men are stigmatized and don’t have avenues to air grievances. 4. Men should incorporate gender issues and group counseling therapies in their informal meetings in bars and or clubs. Take a leaf from organizations which host men help groups. 5. ‚Back to culture men groups‛ should be more financial friendly. 6. Men lack social support from government or organizations. 7. Men die relatively young than women. 7:34 Gender Based Violence GBV Elders Courts (EC) The study recommends the government to set up ‚Elders Courts‛ in every County Ward level and lobby the National and County government to provide funding for the implementation of policies. Family issues can well be solved in a family setup resolutions mechanism than State interference:- ‚African traditions had solutions of women or men who abuse their husbands or wives. On women, Rule 1, A woman should be returned to his parents as a punishment and would not be allowed to remarry unless with the approval of the estranged husband after refunding dowry. Rule 2, A woman should be isolated from the rest of the society and remain unmarried indefinitely. I believe this two can work effectively. Personally, I was a victim of regular abuse and tried rule 1, to my surprise it worked, she apologized and I forgave her.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 It is a commandment of God that a man should love her wife and the wife should reciprocate by been submissive and not the other way round. Men who abuse women are also dealt with strictly by traditional elder’s courts. The reason why Gender Based Violence has shot up is because Africans have discarded traditional solutions and embraced foreign ideologies which have failed to work in the African society and set up. It is sad to note that Africans have become slaves of foreign culture at the expense of their own‛ -49 years, married 8 children FGD participant, Meru County
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5. 7:35 Policy and program response A major feature of this survey is the inclusion of an in-depth look, from multiple perspectives, at the policy and program responses to GBV. We analyzed responses from those who set policy priorities; formulate policy responses, those who implement services, and service users. The results showed consistent pattern of high policy priority and robust policy formulation, but skewed patterns of implementation, that services the female gender and discriminates the male gender thus resulting to undesired results. The Government of Kenya has placed GBV high on its policy agenda and has a dedicated gender commission for addressing gender issues through inter-ministerial collaboration but end up serving the female gender selectively at the expense of the males which should not be the case. As far as protection of men and boys against gender violence is concerned, the Constitution of Kenya does not provide for explicitly but provides for inhuman treatment or torture or any other form of degrading punishment. This implies to men and women alike. Under Section 82 and Section 74, there is a blanket provision protecting both genders from discrimination either by law or in effect. The Sexual Offences Act No.3 of 2006 and the Penal Code Cap 63 of the Laws of Kenya are some of the achievements of protecting both genders but end up been misused by law providers who take advantage and discriminate the male gender. These government laws are only meant to punish the perpetrators but do little to heal the wounds inflicted, the stigma, discrimination and exploitation which is the physiological harm that it courses to the survivors. In practice, however, it was also recognized by a number of interviewees that implementation and public knowledge of these laws have been less than ideal. Thus, at the rural level, more interviewees were unaware of the specific content of laws, and they were presumably less clear therefore about their own responsibilities under the law. Knowledge of the law need not be a prerequisite for seeking help when violence occurs, but lack of knowledge that protective mechanisms exist can inhibit men’s ability to seek care and support. Moreover, majority of men in the surveys and FGDs were unaware of any government programs to specifically address violence. 7:36 Recommendations As this report clearly sets forth, Kenya has adopted several laws for establishment of rights of women in response to international commitments, including provisions promoting gender equality and a society free of GBV but has not engaged men in the same. 1. 99% NGOs and stakeholders, including members of international community have mainly focused on building capacity on women.
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This study suggests that awareness and implementation is limited and impunity still poses a major challenge. It suggests that lack of political will to address the deep structural factors that foster GBV amongst both genders is a cause of grave concern. This study denotes the values and practices that deny men’s rights and rejects the idea that men are the sole agents or perpetuators of VAMB. These values are practiced and enforced by both the men and women against men in our society. This study makes it evident the continuing gap between programs already in place and what is truly required to respond effectively and address the root causes and their consequences. This study recommends that policy and programmatic interventions address the full range of social institutions, including the family, the community, the market and the state without gender discrimination.
Thus, we recommend a multidimensional strategy at the community, program and policy levels using a rights-based approach to address both genders on individual impact of GBV. 7:37 Raise awareness of GBV at the community level 1. The study found a low level of community awareness of a number of factors that may contribute to men’s vulnerability to VAMB and hinder effective responses. 2. A holistic awareness-raising campaign incorporating both mass media and people-to-people outreach (such as through community credit groups, women’s and men groups or community clubs) should be launched. 3. While mass media can be an effective way to disseminate new information, our study found that almost one third of respondents were not exposed to media on a regular basis, and media exposure was correlated with age, class, education, economic status, and other variables, requiring a sophisticated approach to tailoring both message and message delivery. Finally, as the study found among men interviewed that a majority of those who had experienced violence either did not report it, or reported it only to friends or family, these protective networks should be utilized and enhanced as the already working efficient remedy. Develop a variety of targeted outreach messages and mechanisms that effectively reach men and women within their communities, considering mass media accessibility, and taking into account high levels of illiteracy in some areas. Key messages would include:1. The rights under the specific laws related to VAMB and GBV 2. The important role of family members and friends can play in preventing VAMB as well as helping victims seek justice. 3. The kinds of assistance available, both generally and locally was unreliably since 70% of men respondents believe that reporting had no value but would only disdain their reputations. Develop targeted awareness programs for community leaders and for wider communities, emphasizing men’s social, economic and political roles as agents of development. This message should promote the understanding that men are responsible for family, and foster a positive image of men as economic actors holding equal rights to women constitutionally, legally, socially and culturally but not to be classified as irresponsible, alcoholics and women abusers in brackets.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 7:38 Develop innovations for increasing policy/program accountability A key finding from the FGDs across a range of stakeholders was the perception that state-mandated mechanisms for addressing violence was partisan and tended to favor women and girls. These mechanisms were not fully implemented due in part perhaps to the community’s lack of knowledge of their rights and entitlements, and in part to a lack of capacity among bureaucrats to address the issue. The capacity to implement policies and programs, and accountability for implementation must be increased; we suggest that innovative mechanisms for accountability be considered. 1. Community-led mechanisms to report on the presence or absence of health care workers, teachers, etc. at their posts. 2. Increase community's sense of ownership of solutions to VAMB, which the study indicated community members felt appropriate. 3. Promote community-led use of social media technologies and vernacular FM radio stations to assess and record program delivery and effectiveness moreover in the interior areas. 7:39 Address potential drivers of GBV In FGD’s, in interviews with key decision makers, and among both men and women, the study found a great deal of consensus regarding why violence happens. These views were echoed in subsequent interviews with key decision makers at the county levels. These common views of social and structural dynamics, along with data gleaned from the quantitative study, can be used to identify potential entry points to reduce risks of GBV. a. Increase community-level efforts to advance men's empowerment in order to address some of the potential drivers of VAMB, including boy's limited access to education and men’s unemployment opportunities. b. Identify potential entry points that reduce VAMB risks, and launch pilot interventions, such as creating more opportunities for men to become linked, in ways that are locally appropriate, to other social circles in the communities in which they live. 7:40 Improve official awareness and accountability Program implementation level Even among staff responsible for implementing specific laws and policies to address GBV, there was misunderstanding and incomplete knowledge of the exact content of the laws and their own responsibility for implementation. Among some respondents there was a perception that the police in particular do not treat VAMB seriously enough, or with enough sensitivity, for them to feel confident reporting to them. Recommended measures include: 1. Develop and/or strengthen training programs at the constituency level and below to raise staff awareness regarding VAMB and GBV-related laws and the services available to victims, emphasizing the staff obligation to enforce the law and provide services addressing GBV. 2. Strengthen accountability mechanisms to improve staff performance, provide ongoing professional training, and develop sanctions if professional standards are breached. 3. Address community concerns, through both outreach and heightened enforcement, regarding impunity and/or corruption among police and prosecutors. 4. Mobilize local media, particularly vernacular FM radio stations, to inform the wider community of legal provisions and mechanisms (e.g. where to report) for obtaining justice regarding VAMB and GBV.
7:41 Improve capacity to fully implement laws A problem was noted regarding the implementation of the legal requirement for a full medical check-up in cases of sexual assault or boy child rape. Lack of trained medical staff in more remote areas was noted as a particular problem. We recommend: 1. Increase victims’ access to timely, legally credible, medical screening in cases of reported sexual assault or rape, by having, for example, a centralized, fully trained, specialist medical team (e.g. at constituency level) able to travel to more remote areas on short notice in cases of alleged sexual assault or rape. 2. Mobilize trained Male Community Health Volunteers-MCHV to help victims get medical services where the assault occurred. 7:42 No shelter homes in the country A second area where a lack of program capacity was noted was lack of shelter homes at the ward, constituency or County level. We recommend: 1. Establish male shelter homes and enhance the quality and availability of services offered by them. For example, ensure shelters have adequate financial resources and/or improve referrals between service providers, and ensure that an extended stay is possible if warranted. 2. Mobilize social and local media, vernacular FM radio stations in particular, to disseminate information about availability, locations and procedures for accessing shelter services. 7:43 Develop creative mechanisms to prevent, reduce VAMB and GBV “ Enhance psychosocial and other services available to children of VAMB victims in order to break the potential cycle of violence and victimization. The study found that a much higher percentage of men who witnessed GBV as children reported experiences with violence, both in their lifetimes and regularly. 7:44 Policy review, legal gaps/barriers to implementation In general, stakeholders in focus group discussions felt that VAMB and are yet to be placed in the policy agenda and that there are no government led initiatives to address these matters. We recommend the following:1. Revisions to specific laws addressing VAMB and GBV are needed to ensure gender equality before the law. 2. A review is needed of barriers to implementation, particularly focusing on whether police and judicial authorities have sufficient power to investigate accusations of VAMB and the practicalities of entrusting unqualified service providers to handle family disputes. 7:45 Enhance the evidence base for action For some issues, there was a perception that current data are insufficient to fully understand and address the problem. We recommend the following:1. Conduct more in-depth research to determine whether some localities are at greater risk of GBV. For example, our study indicated that men living in urban regions may be at greater risk due to several factors. A deeper understanding of the risks would allow law enforcement and service providers to better deploy scarce resources in these areas. 2. Obtain more data about the role that men and women can play or are playing in preventing GBV, and assess whether and in what ways they themselves are victims of GBV.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 7:46 Removing the structural causes of VAMB and GBV Despite all efforts to date, VAMB is still prevalent. Continued efforts going forward must include political commitments, substantial resources, and well-coordinated monitoring. The experiences of violence against men recounted in this study are the result of institutionalized discrimination and superiority complex [women power over men]. Men’s narratives and stakeholders’ accounts analyzed in this study suggest that men’s legal subordination, economic dependency, cultural obligations and social positions are the key structural factors creating a context in which VAMB can become contagious.
The study gathered important findings on these two Faith Based Organizations. Many disparities were noted between the 2 main religions that is Christianity and Muslims. Christians add up to an 80% in population while Muslims are 20%. It was discovered that gender based violence against men and women affected Christians 20 times more the Muslims. It was found out that: -
7:47 GBV Institutional mechanisms The study found clear gaps and overlaps in the roles and responsibilities of implementing GBV institutions. Analysis of stakeholder’s data also suggests a need to clarify roles and responsibilities to make institutional responses more effective. Existing institutional mechanisms should be reviewed carefully to ensure efficient utilization of limited resources and effective decisionmaking throughout the chain of command from national, county and wards unit, in order to improve men’s access to GBV services, including provision for reporting violent incidents, services (e.g., shelter, medical care, and counseling) and the means to bring perpetrators to justice. Services and establishment of shelter homes should be prioritized. The study acknowledges that current institutional mechanisms addressing GBV have a crucial role to play in order to implement existing policies more effectively and guide the process of identifying and removing structural barriers.
‚Interestingly, initially Christians were not allowed to read the Bible on their own without the guidance of priests or a religious leader, same thing is happening today among leading Christian churches and they dwell on the New Testament disregarding the Old Testament which has insight on managing Gender and domestic based Violence.
‚Political commitment of key players is wanting, elected officials have the capacity to reinforce and influence.‛
-Constituency stakeholder 7:48 Gender violence and religion One of the basic roles of religion is to address the roles of men and women in society. The study compared the role of Christians and Muslims in gender relations and had the following returns:1. Muslims have their own Courts [Kadhis Courts] that effectively handle gender issues. 2. Their places of worship differ in the extent of their duties:a) Mosque offer Sanctuary and help to the less fortunate b) Christians offer little or no help for the same and are mainly offerings oriented. 3. Muslims are faithful in Mosque attendance and adhere more strictly to religious practice. 4. Christian religion encourages loose morals in dressing conduct whereas the Muslim religion is strict to dress code. 5. Most of the teaching in Christian church is based on the New Testament, which is more flexible whereas the Muslim Koran is based on the Old Testament, which does not discard cultural values and gives effective penalties. 6. Sexual relations are loosely addressed in the Christian church, which has led to an increase in HIV/AIDS infection cases and increased divorce and separation cases. 7. 15% male’s equivalent to about 50,000 Christian religious male leaders are emotionally abused while approximately half of them are physically abused regularly by their wives countrywide. 8. 2% male Muslim religious leaders estimated at 1,400 countrywide are emotionally and physically abused while half of them are regularly abused by their wives.
‚Gender based violence is prevalent among the Christians in comparison with the Muslims. Muslims have avenues of solving domestic violence through i.e. Kadhis Courts, while Christians don’t have.‛-Stakeholder married, 5 children, Nairobi County
Stakeholder married, 4 children, Nairobi County ‚It is foolish to embrace Christianity in all its entity and discard important cultural practices which used to serve our forefathers effectively. Domestic violence is rampart in the Christian context and this raises a red flag and calls on new avenues to address it.‛
Stakeholder married, 3 children, Nairobi County ‚The church should serve as a shelter home for victims of domestic violence but has been charged to a house of business today; a majority of pastors have no business with in marital problems and abandon their flock to natural fates.‛ -Stakeholder married, 6 children, Nairobi County The study noted other disparities among this two faith groups from stake holders in the FGDs:- Over 95% of Muslim men and women are staunch followers of the Islam Faith and don’t miss to attend prayers on Fridays while only 15% of Christian men and 35% women are staunch followers of Christian Faith and attend players on Sunday. These revelations show that Christians have failed in addressing domestic violence and the major reason why the prevalence is registered more in the Christian faith in comparison with the Muslims. ‚The Mosque is utilized as a shelter home for victims of domestic violence and orphans. It helps a lot in solving many cases‛
-Stakeholder married 2 wives, 5 children, Mombasa County ‚ Muslims live up to their culture and their faith is traditional based with polygamy allowed as a lifestyle in comparison with Christians where members majority practice polygamy in secret while others are denied conjugal rights and a right to marry resulting to increased cases of infidelity and abortion..‛ -Stakeholder married, 4 children, Nairobi County The study discovered that both The Koran and The Bible are clear on the roles of both genders with checks and balance; the man been given prominence by the two spiritual supreme books to rule over the world as is exhibited in the Bible. ‚What is man that you are mindful of him- You have made him have dominion over the works of your hands, you have put all things under his feet‛ -Holy Bible - Psalm Chapter 8 Verses 4-9
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
The recognition of violence against women as a hindrance to women’s full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms was further strengthened at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 and in the resulting Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The concluding document set out the definition of violence against women to incorporate violence in a variety of settings, including (Article 113):
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The CEDAW Committee is a body of 23 independent experts on women’s rights around the world; it monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which entered into force on 3 September 1981. As at January 2014, 187 countries have ratified or acceded to the convention. UN, CEDAW Committee (1992), General Recommendation No. 19 on Violence against women, adopted at the 11th session, 1992, A/47/38, 29 January 1992. UN, General Assembly, Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, A/RES/48/104, 20 December 1993, p. 3. The UN Commission on the Status of Women organized this conference ‘Action for equality, development and peace’ in Beijing (China) on 4”15 September 1995.
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Chapter 8
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Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the 16th Plenary session, 15 September 1995.‚(a) physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;‚(b) physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;‚(c) physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.‛
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The African Union through the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights in Art 18 (3) makes provisions for states to ensure the elimination of every form of discrimination against women and to ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child as stipulated in international declarations and conventions. This provision is brief and concise but it may be properly construed as conferring very extensive mandate on states to eliminate any form of discrimination against women including practices that constitute violence against women.
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The protocol has provisions that relate directly to the issue and states at Art 3(4) States Parties shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to ensure the protection of every woman’s right to respect for her dignity, and protection of women from all forms of violence, particularly sexual and verbal violence. Art 4 on the right to life, integrity and security of the person provides that States parties should enact and enforce laws to prohibit all forms of violence against women.
Policy Framework The National and International legal provisions for protecting both genders against gender and domestic violence focuses more on women than men. Some of the Legal framework:8:1 International legal framework The only known forums that fight gender based violence are women founded and focus much on the female gender in comparison to the male gender which are lacking. Some of the structured women forums the study explored are as follows:International legal standards on Gender Based Violence GBV 1. In 1992, the general recommendation of the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee established that gender-based violence is ‚violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately‛ (Article 6) and that it ‚is a form of discrimination that seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and freedoms on a basis of equality with men‛ (Art 1). 2.
The first internationally agreed definition of violence against women was introduced in the 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (Article 1), which states that:‚ ‘violence against women’ means any act of genderbased violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.‛
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 9.
AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality. The AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa reaffirms the African countries’ commitment to the principal of Gender equality as enshrined in Article 4 (1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union. It was concluded at the Heads of State and Government meeting in the Third Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 6-8 July 2004.
10. At Article 9 of this Declaration, the Member states undertook to Sign and ratify Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights to the Rights of Women in Africa by the end of 2004 and to support the launching of the public campaigns aimed at ensuring it entry into force by 2005 and usher in an era of domesticating and implementing Protocol as well as other national, regional and international instruments on gender equality by all State Parties.
8:4 Main Objectives The main objective of the 2020 Men International conference is: The recognition of gender and domestic violence and abuse by governments worldwide against men and boys as an extensive rights abuse that is grossly under reported and a fundamental human rights violation and government’s ignorance to fund advocacy programs and male gender survivors and to empower men and boys to reach their full potential.
It was also noted that governments worldwide are committed to safeguarding women and girls from all forms of gender and domestic violence and abuse and have not done the same to men and boys which shows inequality and gender corruption of the highest level.
8:5 Specific Objectives The specific objectives of the 2020 Men International Conference are:1. To adopt the South Africa Men Declaration and Platform for Action (SAMDPA) on gender and domestic violence against men and boys. 2. To address UN Assembly on the Elimination of violence against men and boys. 3. To address UN on sexual harassment and assault by both men and women, physiological abuse and violence as an extensive rights abuse against males. 4. To adopt AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality and the Male Gender.(AUSDGEMG) 5. To mark and launch the International Day of the Boychild (IDBC) to be marked on 11th June Annually. 6. To further address iniquities of male gender and laws of the land. 7. To address the UN Assembly on introduction of a UN-MEN Forum and a UN- Men/Boys Fund (UNMBF) to address the challenges of men and boys worldwide i.e. education and war torn nations where boys are molested and manipulated. 8. To lobby Governments to have gender friendly budgets that equally empower men/women and boys/girls in all nations. 9. To lobby governments to run and create equal gender empowerment programs and policies for both genders. 10. To lobby governments to create a Domestic Violence Children’s Fund (DVCF) for Children survivors of gender and domestic abuse and violence.
This major forum organized by MAWE invites activists and representatives of men and boys organizations from all over the world to join together in this first ever International Conference that will see the male gender worldwide feel a sense of justice particularly to the boy child who has been a no agenda in world rights forums and convections including the UN Assembly.
The study established that National and International mechanisms addressing gender and domestic abuse and violence have a Vitol role to play in order to produce the desired results not to mention the existing policies more so an effective process of identifying and doing away with structural barriers that favor one gender at the expense of the other.
8:2 The First ever 2020 International Men Declaration Forum Kenya has ratified the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It is party to African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. It ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against women in principle but forgot men; it is supportive of the principles enshrined in UDHR and DEVAW. It is notable that to date, no National or International forums or conventions that address gender and domestic abuse and violence against men and boys have ever been launched or implemented or initiated. The study therefore concludes that males are sidelined in gender and domestic violence policy formulations and awareness strategies.
MAWE is optimistic that this one week forum will bring together over 2000 men dignitaries from all over the world to forge the way forward on male gender matters henceforth. MAWE also seeks to partner with all likeminded people all over the world and willing sponsors to consult through the official address, emails and mobile numbers presented at the back page of the study in-order to make this convention a success. 8:3 2020 South Africa Men Declaration and Platform for Action (SAMDPA) MAWE in conjunction with other international men and boys organizations have therefore organized a mega men’s movement worldwide that will see men launching the first ever 2020 South Africa Men Declaration and Platform for Action (SAMDPA). It will be a World Conference to be held in South Africa at the Castello Di Monte Hotel in Pretoria in June between 8th and 12th year 2020. This will culminate a 2020 Men Declaration and Platform for Action on Men and Boys rights worldwide.
MAWE believes that ‚When the man/woman and boys/girls are equally empowered, all will be well with the society and relationships which are the basis of a firm and stable family and Nation thereby minimal gender and domestic violence and abuse will be registered worldwide and peace will flourish and crime rate will eventually decrease.‛ Leading world leaders have been reluctant to address men’s rights basically because of the woman’s vote thereby putting the lives of men and boys to fate. This leads to the male gender prone and exposed to undue risks and neglect by governments and Nations at the expense of the female gender with no international forums of protecting men and particularly the boys. It is a fact that male gender abuse and violence by women is not only experienced in Kenya but a world epidemic that requires immediate action and international conventions.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 8:5 National legal frameworks - The Constitution Constitution of Kenya enshrines in Chap V, the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. These are blanket provisions, which safeguard the rights of men and women including children. In Sec 70, the rights safeguarded are those to life, liberty, and security of the person and his/her protection of the law. The section states as follows:...every person in Kenya is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, tribe, place of origin or residence or other local connection, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namelya) life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law; b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; and c) protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation The freedoms of conscience 24, expression 25, assembly and association 26 are also guaranteed. These rights and freedoms are not absolute, hence in enjoying these; one must respect the rights enjoyed by others and therefore, the public interest. Sections 70”83 expound on these rights. On enforcement of these rights and freedoms, Section 84 empowers any Kenyan whose rights and/or freedoms are infringed upon to apply to the High Court for redress. The High Court has original jurisdiction in such cases. On violence against men and boys, the Constitution does not provide for it explicitly but protection from inhuman treatment or torture or any other form of degrading punishment. This applies to men and women alike. (Section 74) Under Section 82, there is a blanket provision protecting all Kenyan citizens from discrimination either by law itself or in effect. It provides as follows: (1) Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (8), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect. (2) Subject to subsections (6), (8) and (9), no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by a person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of a public office or a public authority. (3) In this section the expression ‚discriminatory‛ means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, place of origin or residence or other local connection, political opinions, colour, creed or sex whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description. (4) Sub sec (1) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provisions(a) with respect to persons who are not citizens of Kenya; (b) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law; (c)for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons; or
(d) whereby persons of a description mentioned in subsection (3) may be subjected to a disability or restriction or may be accorded a privilege or advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. 8:6 The Sexual Offences Act The Sexual Offences Act was passed by Parliament in 2006 in response to the rampant sexual abuses reported in the country. A key objective of the Act is to create offences and stipulate sentences with the aim of protecting persons from sexual offences. The Act criminalizes sexual relations amongst persons within certain parameters of affinity and thus protects children from sexual relations within the family context. The Act also defines emerging forms of sexual violence that were not covered in the penal code, such as trafficking in children and presents an attempt to move from the old theory of classifying sexual offences as crimes against morality and address them as the crimes of violence that they are. The Act however has not addressed sexual offence of rape of men or boys by other men. The Act was intended to protect women exclusively against men while men are also victims. 8:7 Article 3. Rape (1) A person commits the offence termed rape if„ (a) he or she intentionally and unlawfully commits an act which causes penetration with his or her genital organs; (b) the other person does not consent to the penetration; or 8:8 Article 5. Sexual assault (1) Any person who unlawfully„ (a) penetrates the genital organs of another person with„ (i) any part of the body of another or that person; or -The normal definition of the word genitals states ‚relating to the human or animal reproductive organs‛ which means penetration of anus is not addressed as rape since it is not a reproductive organ. 8:9 The Penal Code The Penal Code Chapter 63 of the Laws of Kenya is currently the law under which most cases of domestic violence are prosecuted. It provides for offences such as murder, attempted murder, grievous harm and assault among others. In instances of physical violence, survivors who report their cases to the police have had the offenders charged with varying offences depending on the degree of the violence meted. The Penal Code is inadequate with regard to protection where violence is imminent to the potential victim or their children. It thus fails to recognize varies dimensions of domestic violence and only comes into effect after the victim has been violated which may sometimes be too late. Similarly, in cases where domestic violence is ongoing; the Penal Code fails to provide for the removal of the abuser from the home environment so as to minimize the effects of violence. 8:10 The Matrimonial Causes Act A lot of domestic violence occurs within marriages and may be in the form of physical violence, marital rape, psychological and economic abuse. The Matrimonial Causes Act provides for reliefs in the form of separation or divorce where the offending party has been cruel to the victim, has been adulterous, has abdicated conjugal duties or has deserted the victim for over three years.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 Section six states (6) on Restriction on petitions for divorce during first three years after marriage (1) No petition for divorce shall be presented to the court unless at the date of the presentation of the petition three years have passed since the date of marriage: This is a predicament to victims who are forced to stay in violent relationships and may result to homicides since the divorce petitions are delayed before hearing and hearings stay for years before determination. 8:11 Customary Marriage Laws African customary marriages are recognized in law although not codified anywhere. In most of the communities in Kenya, there are certain ceremonies, which must be performed in order for a marriage to be considered as valid in law. 8:12 Marriage act 2014 It is evident that the Marriage Bill focus attention has been emphasized on females at the expense of males. Social science informs us that, matrimony is one of the few true human universals found in all societies. The form marriage takes and the manner in which it is brought about varies accordingly from culture to culture. Couples occasionally tie the knot in daring and creative ways but currently strange acts of gender based violence in families have threatened to tear unions in tatters, some resulting to the most barbaric and unusual actions. The outcome is strange and no one can believe the sweet memories when tying the knot in the presence of parents, relatives, friends and the society in the art based on formalism. The Marriage Act, 2014 does not recognize long cohabitation or come we stay relations as a form of marriage. The issue of come we stay marriages was one among the contentious issues that were left out in the Act. Many spouses in this relationship have no exit incase the partner becomes violent and one is therefore forced to stay in abusive relationships that have ended up in death. 8:13 Children and Adoption Laws The laws regarding adoption of children need to be amended to make it easier and gender friendly. It has been noted that:1. Most people prefer to adopt girls. 2. Government’s favours the adoption of girls than boys. 3. Orphanages and children homes contain more boys than girls. Reasons why people prefer to adopt girls are easy to guess:1. Girls are a more help in households. 2. Foster parents will get a bride price in case of marriage. 3. Girls are not likely to inherit their property since chances are that they will be married. 4. Streamline adoption procedures and gender preference trend. 5. Mend gaps and open chances of the many boys in the orphanage and streets to be rescued and adopted.
4.
The objectives of the Act sounds good since it helps widows and children but as a government policy it should include widowers since women also die before men and are left as widowers and require the same scheme and should therefore be Widows, Widowers and Children Pension Scheme.
8:15 The protection against domestic violence act The Act as described is an ACT of Parliament to provide for the protection and relief of victims of domestic violence; to provide for the protection of a spouse and any children or other dependent persons and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Protection against Domestic Violence Act is a toothless dog; the law has gaps and basically provides for protection of couples and leaves victims at stake without jail convictions like the Sexual Offences Act 2006. The definitions of domestic violence protections have mainly focused on women where many abuses against men are not included i.e. chopping of male’s genitals, forced circumcision or deformities as a result of unqualified circumcisers, grievous assaults, denial of conjugal rights and infidelity among many others etc. 8:16 The Children’s Act The Children’s Act is amorphous since it gives the woman automatic custody of children and denies the man the right of equal protection and parental care while at the same time claims equal rights to both parents. An amendment is necessary in order to minimize law suits by men who flock the courts seeking custody to their own children which portrays outright discrimination on the basis of sex. Men have been denied an equal opportunity to parenthood by the fact that women have been awarded custody of children at the expense of the men. 8:17 More research needed on VAMB and GBV On some issues, there was a perception that, insufficient evidence was exhibited to fully understand and address VAMB and GBV. Crosssectional analysis found a link between GBV and adverse physical and mental health results. Such a link shows correlation but not causation. More studies that are prospective in design are needed to fully explore this link and highlight for purposes of knowledge of the community and policy advocacy. Rigorous evaluation is needed to identify which institutions are working effectively or are dormant and which ones should be scaled up. This can only be done in co-operation and co-ordination of all stakeholders from both genders equally represented in order to have a lasting solution on GBV .
8:14 Widows and children Pension Scheme (Cap 195) 1. The Widows and Children Pension Scheme (WCPS) is a contributory scheme operated by the Government which provides pension benefits to the widow and orphans of a deceased officer who was a member of the Scheme. 2. Male pensionable officers are compulsorily required to contribute to the scheme to provide for widows and Children. 3. The pension is first paid to the widow. In the event of the widow's death it is paid to the children.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 3.
Chapter 9 Media Reports Media Reports The study also explored some of the gender violence reports against men highlighted by the media:ONE: ‚On Friday the 10th February 2012 the headlines of one of the Kenyan dailies shocked the country when a photo of disfigured man in his mid-40 was displayed. The report said that the man was cut by his wife of 12 years. In particular, Mr Kiguta, a father of two had just been released from the intensive care unit of the Nyeri General Hospital following the brutal attack. Mr Kiguta claimed that he was attacked at night by his wife, Juliana Wairimu 26 with a machete after he came home drunk, following which the woman disappeared from their matrimonial home Mihuti village in Mukurweini district Nyeri County, only to be arrested by police a couple of days later. TWO: Another, Mr Francis Muchiri 34 confessed openly at Mukurweini Hospital in Nyeri County on 12th February 2012 that he had been battered by his wife. Indeed, Mr Muchiri the father of 2 sustained serious burns after his 11 years old daughter admitted that her father was attacked with hot water by the mother/wife at their Ruiru home. On 9th February 2012, the Daily Nation carried a well-researched article ‘Central Kenyan Top Husband Beaters’ in which it highlighted photos of the Chairman of MAWE the Lobby that fights for the rights of men against domestic violence Ndiritu Njoka and another battered man were displayed as he was examining Kevin Muriuki aged 22 at Nyeri Provincial General Hospital on 08 February 2012. Kevin a father of three was beaten up by a group of people whom he believes were hit men hired by his wife after a domestic quarrel. Njoka noted; ‚Central Province is the worst place because women are in the habit of beating their men. We are here to give women the ‚Red Card‛ that such behaviors has to come to an end…men should be respected as family heads, but in Central Kenya, they have been reduced to the role of fathering children before they are dumped.‛ THREE: Nursing his wounds on his hospital bed, Kevin Muriuki, 22 swore he would terminate his marriage over what he termed torture from his wife. He went on to show injuries he said were sustained including a swollen back as a result of several whip lashes. He noted that his head also had bumps and was limping after three men descended on him. His accusing fingers pointed a 21 year old woman whom he claimed hired attackers. History of no justice for male gender violence survivors This study analyzed over 100 case studies that MAWE handled between 2011 and 2016 and results showed an impartiality eye of the law:1. 2.
69 women were arrested after a week and 31 after a month. Of all the 100 cases one woman was convicted of murder and another sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.
Among the 100 cases 56 have been concluded and culprits set free on the basis of lack of evidence including Mr Kigutas case. 4. Among the 100 cases, 18 women are still at large while 13 of the cases have been withdrawn or terminated on unclear circumstances. 5. MAWE has on varies occasions on behalf of the victims visited the concerned police stations and prosecution officers but could not get proper explanations and proceedings of the cases. It is disheartening to learn that even with Mr Kigutas case which was highly publicized, and even after one of the children testified as an eye witness, the court still quashed the case for lack of evidence and the woman was freed. The study recorded all the case studies and interviewed many of the survivors to confirm the status as reported by the media. At a glance, this displays a true picture of the situation on the ground when it comes to accessing justice for survivors of gender violence against males. FOUR: Men on the receiving end as women assert themselves. The Standard Extra Date: 31.07.2013 reported the following. The media have been awash with cases of family breakups, domestic violence against men and alcoholism. Experts say the genesis is society’s failure to empower the boychild, The Standard Newspaper writer KIUNDU WAWERU explores the issue:The day after the shocking confession of a woman who had hired gunmen to kill her husband, Ndiritu Njoka, the self-styled crusader of men's rights walked into The Standard offices and declared, "This is just a tip of the iceberg."Njoka says that his Maendeleo Ya Wanaume OrganisationMAWE has received hundreds of complaints from men abused by their wives. And it is triple trouble for men to report any case of violence, one need to have a P3 form, a police medical examination report, a medical practitioner signs the P3 after examining the victim and Njoka says that ridicule begins here. "The man is chided for having been beaten by a woman. It gets worse when they report at the police station. For starters, police stations lack privacy, and you will be ridiculed by the authorities and members of the public present." This is one of the reasons cases of domestic violence against men never get to be heard, often until it's too late, like the Nyeri case. It was in February 2012 that images of one of the victims, with deep machete cuts all over his face, filled the TV screens and print pages. He had been attacked by his wife while asleep. Men feel Njoka has a case, but he does not help it much as he works on incidences as they arise instead of conducting in-depth studies to identify the extent of the problem. The shocking abuse cases against men have generated a heated debate. Standing out is the June case where investigators told a Nairobi court that one wife had paid hit men a down payment of Sh40,000 to kill her husband of 15 years. The reason given was that he was cheating on her with another woman. On May 19, a woman in Kisii had slit the throat of her medical engineer husband of is years, lolling him instantly. And just this Sunday, an 18 year old woman in Matisi estate in Kitale stabbed her husband to death, allegedly for infidelity and seeking to marry a second wife. Just what is happening"?.... FIVE: Boys Unwanted and Unloved The Dairy Nation as reported by Millicent Mwololo Tuesday, April 20 2010 Titled More boys than girls are aborted, abandoned or even killed immediately after birth, a study by Maendeleo Ya Wanaume organization-MAWE titled ‚Women Speak Out‛ reports. The study, which sought to identify the reasons women in Kenya abort, was carried out between November 2009 and March 2010 in Central and Nairobi provinces, and involved 20,000 respondents between the ages of 22 and 42 years, both single and married. The results provided some interesting insights.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 ‚We discovered that many women have abortions for fear of giving birth to boys. In fact, from the findings, this is the main reason almost 60 per cent of all abortions carried out in Kenya,‛ says Ndiritu Njoka, chairman of Maendeleo Ya Wanaume. Remarkably, 30 per cent of the married women interviewed said their reason for aborting male foetuses was that they were not ready to engage in inheritance wrangles with their son(s). ‚Speaking on condition of anonymity, some of these women revealed that they would have an ultrasound scan done to determine the sex of the baby. "If it was a girl, they would carry the pregnancy to term, but if it was a boy, they would tell their husbands that there was something terribly wrong with the foetus and conspire with a medic to perform an abortion but make it look like a miscarriage,‛ Njoka says with concern. In addition, many married women who already had two daughters were unwilling to have a third child for the fear that it might be a boy. Meanwhile, the single women’s main fear of bearing boys was prompted by the fear that reduced their chances of getting married. ‚It’s much easier for me to find a partner if I have a daughter, but if I have a son, my chances of ever getting married are slim because these days most men are reluctant to marry a woman with a son, who might claim a share of their property,‛ the report quotes one 28-year-old single woman from Nairobi as saying. Some women said they were reluctant to have sons since they had no property to bequeath them. But the decision to abort was not always the woman’s. Some single women who had married lovers said they had procured abortions due to pressure from the man. ‚Some women revealed that their married lovers were reluctant to let them have boys, fearing that this ‘outsider’ might one day claim a share of his inheritance,‛ Njoka explains. As a result, many boys born out of wedlock were abandoned with their maternal grandparents. ‚This led to parental neglect, poor parenting and at times abuse at the hands of extended family members, making some run away to the streets in search of identity and acceptance,‛ notes the report. The findings of this study, which were released two weeks ago, come amid growing concern among adoption agencies in the country about the high number of boys in children’s homes. Muteru Njama, executive director of Little Angels Network, says this is particularly pronounced among children who have celebrated their first birthday. And statistics from various children’s home as recent as last month bear him out. For instance one Nairobi-based children’s home with branches in Kisumu, Nyeri and Nakuru housing a total of 124 children, has 99 boys „ 18 of whom are above two years „ and 25 girls. The Nairobi home has 39 children, 31 boys and 8 girls; Kisumu 43 children, of whom 28 are boys; Nyeri 17, with 15 of them boys; and Nakuru 25, all boys. Another home in Dagoretti has 54 children, of whom 36 are boys. Njoka feels that, with about 90 per cent of Kenya’s street children boys, their lot couldn’t be worse. ‚Forget about the numbers here. Boys are not just forgotten, but also unwanted,‛ he says with concern. He is worried about the clause on abortion in the new draft constitution, which he says ‚seeks to widen the grounds for abortion, which will legalise the extinction of the male species. Decades of empowering girls have seen more women take over households, and this is being felt as women compete for the few good men in society. "In about 20 years, we will have a very big problem if the government does not come up with well thought-out policies for boys,‛ he warns………. SIX: Daily Nation Saturday March 21 2015 by ELVIS ONDIEKI Oppressive Divorce Laws In Summary
One of those critical of the decision is Mr Ndiritu Njoka, the selfdeclared executive chairman of the Maendeleo ya Wanaume organisation.
Mr Njoka said the best way to get rid of the trap that has caught many men is to amend laws to make men the automatic custodians of children born in a marriage.
‚There is no problem if Mr Moi can comfortably foot the bill. But if he feels the judge was excessive in slapping of the costs, I can help pursue an appeal,‛ he said.
The judge had expressed disappointment at Mr Moi’s unwillingness to disclose his wealth. The words ‚standard of living‛ appear 12 times in a court decision ordering Philip Moi, the son of Kenya’s second president, to pay Sh30 million for the upkeep of his former wife for 10 years. Their frequency in the 8,459-word judgment underscores how vital the issue of status was in the case that lasted in court for seven years. Justice Luka Kimaru finally determined that for the next 10 years, Mr Moi’s ex-wife, Rossana Pluda, has to live in a status similar to the one she enjoyed during marriage since Mr Moi had been the sole provider. The judge noted that Mr Moi would pay the Sh30 million at once in place of monthly installments of Sh250,000 because he had ‚told the court that it would be his desire that he be ordered to pay one lump sum so that he is not required to pay monthly maintenance‛. He also ordered Mr Moi to find Ms Pluda a house in ‚Runda, Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani or Karen or any other upmarket area of Nairobi‛. ‚This will accord with the standard of living that [Ms Pluda] was used to during the subsistence of their marriage. He shall provide this house within 90 days or in default thereof he shall pay her the sum of Sh60 million,‛ the judge said. The attention paid on status has angered a section of men who feel Mr Moi was a victim of laws that are continually favouring women. One of those critical of the decision is Mr Ndiritu Njoka, the self-declared executive chairman of the Maendeleo ya Wanaume organization. Mr Njoka said the best way to get rid of the trap that has caught many men is to amend laws to make men the automatic custodians of children born in a marriage. ‚ There is no problem if Mr Moi can comfortably foot the bill. But if he feels the judge was excessive in slapping of the costs, I can help pursue an appeal,‛ he said. The judge had expressed disappointment at Mr Moi’s unwillingness to disclose his wealth. ‚However, his reluctance to disclose his properties will not prevent this court from rendering its decision in accordance with the evidence placed on record,‛ he said. Automatic custody Mr Njoka said the proposal to give men automatic custody of children is contained in a Bill sponsored by his organisation. ‚It is called the Family Bill and it has been presented to the National Assembly by our secretary Waihenya Ndirangu, who is also the Roysambu MP, and is now before the House Legal Affairs committee,‛ he said. Contacted, Mr Ndirangu said the Bill was awaiting the input of committee members. ‚Mr Njoka is expected before the committee soon to share his views about it,‛ the MP said. ‚He was to appear before it last week but it (committee) was too busy for having received so many petitions. His discussions to the team will help fill the gaps in the proposed law before it can proceed.‛ Commenting on the place of status when deciding divorce-related disputes, the judge in the Philip Moi case said that courts cannot rebuild the full financial status of a spouse after divorce. ‚Be that as it may, it is accepted that parties who approach the court for spousal maintenance cannot expect the court to afford them the lifestyle to which they were accustomed during the marriage,‛ Justice Kimaru pointed out. In her case, Ms Pluda had asked the court to pay a lump sum of not less than Sh100 million ‚even if such payment comprises a house and the rest in an amount such as the court may determine‛. ‚[Ms Pluda] further urged the court to take into account the fact that Mr Moi had offered to provide her a house in Lavington, which cost Sh24 million at the time of the offer but which currently costs approximately Sh100 million,‛ the judge said.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 But Mr Moi said he could not pay the amount because his businesses had gone under, a claim that was dismissed by court. ‚He states that his finances have since dwindled so much so that it would be unfair for the court to award maintenance of the basis of a lifestyle that is no longer sustainable,‛ said Justice Kimaru. Another recent court decision that paid attention to status was delivered on January 31 by High Court Family Division Judge William Musyoka. The ruling, published by the Kenya Law Reports, says Justice Musyoka ordered a man, whose name is abbreviated as C.Y.C. to protect his privacy, to provide a four-bed roomed mansion for his former wife K.S.Y.; provide furniture or pay Sh1.5 million for the same, pay Sh300, 000 per month for expenses. The judge also ordered the man to ‚return either the Prado or Lexus that had previously been placed at her disposal or, in the alternative, provision of another car of similar range or standard.‛ Children’s court The orders were to last until a case between the two is finalised at the Children’s Court. Other high-profile Kenyans who have been involved in child maintenance suits are former minister Fred Gumo, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi and former House Speaker Kenneth Marende. In the Marende case, for instance, the court ordered him to pay Sh103,780 as school fees for a three-year-old girl in February 2014. There was also another lady seeking Mr Marende to honour a 2011 court order that he pays upkeep for a 10-year-old girl he had sired. Mr Peter Chemaswet, a historian-cum-pastor, says the risk of commercializing the institution of marriage is increasing. What is more; when a party to a divorce or child custody settlement fails to raise the amount set by the court, the law allows the woman to pay the government so he can be sent to civil jail. Nyando Resident Magistrate Paul Wechuli said that once a man refuses to pay up the set amount, his accuser can apply for either the attachment of the man’s property or throwing him in jail. ‚The man can be locked up for up to six months and the wife will shoulder the costs of his stay in jail,‛ the magistrate said. ‚However, the children’s court usually exercises discretion because throwing someone into civil jail is often not a solution to a non-payer,‛ he added. An official at the Kisumu Main Prison, who declined to be named, said that a woman paying for the jailing of her estranged husband is required to pay on a monthly basis, adding that such a prisoner is handled like other inmates. Child maintenance Mr Paul Kimuri Kirimi is such man. A ruling on the Kenya Law Reports says Mr Kimuri was locked up for two months over a Sh3,103,461 debt owed to the ‚Standard Chartered Bank and child maintenance arrears. ‚He accepts his debts and his liability to pay them. He even makes proposals to repay when he regains employment,‛ Lady Justice Farah Amin ruled in a case where Mr Kimuri sought to be declared bankrupt. The judge ordered his release saying: ‚As a matter of logic and common sense, it is clear that the applicant has no prospect of repaying his debts while he is in prison. In the circumstances, I order his immediate release.‛ Mr Chemaswet quoted the good book to support his claim that a man should be left to take care of children. ‚If you read the book of Genesis from the 17th chapter, the story of Abraham and how he related with his sons Isaac and Ishmael, it is clear that the man is the one to bear the responsibility of his children,‛ said the pastor at the Baptist Church in Solai, Nakuru County. Currently, children’s custody is left to the discretion of the judicial officer handling a case, and the practice in the courts has been to rule in the best interests of the children. Children fast Mr Njoka and Mr Chemaswet said that a father assuming the care of his children is in the best interest of the child.
‚When a man is charged with taking care of children in a woman’s absence,‛ Mr Njoka said, ‚the children are at a better place because he can get another wife to take care of them. But when it is a woman left to take care of children, boys usually suffer especially when their mother remarries. That is why we have many boys in the streets.‛ Mr Chemaswet, renowned for his Kiswahili history program in the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation radio in the late ’90s, said most African cultures recognize a man’s home as a haven for children. ‚In the Kalenjin traditions, for instance, it is said that a child has to return to their father one day. Ceremonies like initiation cannot be done in any other home other than that of the father.‛ Vihiga-based lawyer Dorcas Osabwa says that to avoid an acrimonious separation, couples should sign a pre-nuptial agreement like happens in the West. ‚When there is such an arrangement, both parties know what they are getting themselves into. That will solve a lot of disputes,‛ she noted. ‚Parties to a marriage have equal rights during and after marriage. If the wife and children were accustomed to a particular status, that shouldn’t end just because of divorce,‛ said Ms Osabwa. She said the courts are not unfair to men, adding that the judge only implements the law. ‚The doctrines that the courts implement are passed by Parliament,‛ said the lawyer. Ms Osabwa said no one should complain that amounts set by the courts are high because they are always reasonable. ‚If Philip Moi was honestly earning Sh10,000, would the court have ordered him to pay millions? I don’t think so,‛ she added. Are women out to make money from their husbands? SEVEN: Kenyan men urged to boycott meals in abuse protest 20 February 2012 as reported by BBC NETWORK A Kenyan men's lobby group has called for a six-day food boycott to highlight what it says is increasing domestic violence against men.The organisation, Maendeleo Ya Wanaume, wants Kenyan men to stop eating meals cooked at home by wives and partners. It says men should instead eat together outside the home, and share experiences of emotional and physical abuse. Kenya's government does not take domestic violence against men seriously and may be fuelling it, the group says. Maendeleo Ya Wanaume's leader Ndiritu Njoka told the BBC's Network Africa program that he called for the nationwide boycott to try to stop women beating up or emotionally abusing their husbands and spouses. Correspondents say most meals in Kenyan homes are cooked by women and culturally it is important for men to eat at home in order to show their appreciation for women. Maendeleo Ya Wanaume - which means Global Men Empowerment Network was set up to try to encourage men to speak out in a society that often ridicules as weak, men who are subjected to domestic violence. The group says the problem is growing as Kenyan women become more economically independent - in part, it says, because of government initiatives to improve the status of women. Last year, the group conducted its own survey of Central and Nairobi provinces and found that up to 460,000 men said they had been subjected to some sort of domestic abuse. EIGHT: No Sex Day (International Day of Men Liberation) Men worldwide will this day boycott making love with their wives or girlfriends in unison to protest against the trampling on their rights. This day will presumably be on 11th Day of November annually and will be International Day of Men Liberation-as stated by the book - Coup de
grace. Gender Apartheid.1st World war of Sexes. By Ndiritu
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 NINE: Aljazeera News as reported By Malkhadir Muhumed Polygamy bill allows Kenyan men many wives Kenya's parliament passed a bill allowing men to have a limitless number of wives, irritating women's rights groups. --"In Africa, polygamy is a way of life, and when you're making a law you must go back to what the society wants," said Ndiritu Njoka, the chairman of Global Men's Empowerment Network (GMEN) in Kenya, an advocacy group established four year ago to counter focus on women and girls affairs at the expense of men and boys.--Njoka rejects the notion that polygamy is exploitative of women, saying that plural marriages are "practical" unions that reduce prostitution, HIV/Aids, infidelity and cheating. "It is now time people came out of their hypocrisy and accepted polygamy,"--In Kenya, polygamy is common and even some wives, especially childless ones, willingly urge their husbands to take another wife. So the current debate about the bill is strangely not focused on telling men to stick to only one wife, but on women's right to know their husbands decisions that have a bearing on their families. Njoka, the chairman of Global Men's Empowerment Network (GMEN), lauds Kenyan lawmakers' decision to give a husband a free hand to take more wives and disregard partners' consent, "because you can't go and seek consent from a violent wife who does not respect you." TEN: As reported by the Star Newspaper Tormented by the fair sex Thirteen men senators, 11 governors, 97 MPs and 346 MCAs are abused physically, emotionally and economically by their wives and mistresses daily, a report has revealed. Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organisation chairman Ndiritu Njoka yesterday released a report and said most men politicians are traumatised and pot to spend their evenings in bars after work to avoid confrontation with their wives. The report further said two senators, four governors, 15 MPs and 39 MCAs are left with "almost nothing" each month "because 95 per cent of their salaries goes towards paying for their divorced wives' upkeep, and maintaining their mistresses and child expenses". The research showed 75 per cent of men political leaders abuse alcohol, while 10 per cent abuse drugs. The research claims the men leaders resort to drugs, alcohol and substance abuse because of frustrations, physical and emotional abuse from their wives and mistresses. ‚Research revealed that infidelity among the wives of the male leaders is a major cause of division which later turns to violence against the man to conceal the guilt. It was further revealed that 60 per cent of the wives of male political leaders have two or three extramarital relationships,‛ Said the six- page report. The research was carried out in January in 47 counties. Random sampling was used to get 700 people from each county to participate. Sixty per cent of the men political leaders were also interviewed across the country.This included the sampling of the victims and relatives of the political leaders.‚Most of these poor men die slowly in their bed due to starvation since their wives deny them medication and do not give them proper food," Njoka said. "Most of these early deaths are due to manageable ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, stress, torture and denial of conjugal rights which leads to depression."The chairman recommended that the only major solution to this problem is that Gender Crisis Centres should be constituted in the Parliament, Senators, Governors and MCAs Assembly so that the lawmakers may report swiftly without ridicule by members of the public.There are various types of abuse i.e. physical, emotional and economic abuse, property rights violations of the male gender and fake children upkeep expenses and redress. Physical abuse includes battering and inflicting bodily harm,‛ Said the chairman.
ELEVEN: Nairobi activists launch Anti-Gay Day Nairobi activists launch Anti-Gay Day in Kenya as Museveni beats aboutturn, signs Bill as reported by The Star Newspaper By KURIAN MUSA | Tuesday, Feb 25th 2014 at 00:00 Maendeleo ya Wanaume chairperson Ndiritu Njoka (right) with other activists Monday in Nairobi when they launched Anti-Gay Day. [PHOTO: COLLINS KWEYU/STANDARD] By KURIAN MUSA NAIROBI, KENYA: Anti-gay activists in Nairobi have launched a day to spread gospel against the practice. The activists led by Maendeleo ya Wanaume on Monday termed homosexuality a foreign culture and noted that they will use AntiGay Day, which they will mark every February 24, to curb the habit that is spreading fast. MAWE said the practice should not be accepted in Kenya or any other African country. ‚We will go to learning institutions to preach against gay relations. We will target universities, colleges and high schools,‛ said Njoka. The activists asked Parliament to legislate laws that criminalizes the practice and bar guest houses or lodgings from accommodating homosexuals. The day was launched as Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed into law the controversial anti-gay Bill. Museveni assented to the Bill that has harsh penalties for homosexual sex yesterday, noting it is necessary since ‘arrogant and careless Western groups’ had tried to ‘recruit’ Ugandan children into homosexuality. The President signed the Bill at his official residence in an event witnessed by Government officials, journalists and a team of Ugandan scientists, whose report, which found that there is no genetic basis for homosexuality, Museveni cited as his reason for backing the Bill. ‚We Africans never seek to impose our view on others. If only they could let us alone,‛ he said, talking of Western pressure not to sign the Bill. Government officials applauded after he signed the Bill. The new law calls for first-time offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in jail. It also sets life imprisonment as the maximum penalty for a category of offences called ‚aggravated homosexuality,‛ defined as repeated gay sex between consenting adults as well as acts involving a minor, a disabled person or where one partner is infected with HIV. The Bill is widely popular in Uganda, but international rights groups have condemned it as draconian in a country where homosexuality is already criminalized. Some European countries threatened to cut aid to Uganda if the measure is enacted. US President Barack Obama warned that signing the Bill would ‘complicate’ the country’s relationship with Washington. President Obama has been in the forefront of advocating for African nations to accommodate gay people. Njoka and his group accused Obama of misleading Africans. ‚When he travels across the world, we see him with his wife and children. Why does he not seek a male counterpart,‛ an activist asked. Death Threats Njoka said his organization has come up with a proposal that will be tabled before the Attorney General to ask Parliament to enact appropriate laws curbing homosexuality. ‚The practice is a cult; we shall not accept it even if we continue receiving death threats. I have been threatened but I am not going to back off,‛ Njoka said. During the launch, Philip Onyango, a young boy confessed he was allegedly lured into homosexuality by men who offered him money. ‚They used me. After I tested HIV positive, they dumped me,‛ Onyango claimed. Another man, Ezekiel Omukhulu, said during a demonstration at Parliament building that his life was at risk after coming out to condemn members of the gay community. ‚From here, the Government should protect men just as they protect women,‛ he said, adding that when he joined homosexuality, he did not have a job and was so helpless. ‚They took advantage of my weakness and need for help. Let the Government help youths like us with Uwezo Fund,‛ Omukhulu said. The activists asked African leaders not to be lured by western countries’ donor funds in order to accept homosexuality.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 TWELVE: Report on Nyeri County rate in domestic abuse. The study showed that reports made on Nyeri County by the national media especially on physical violence among other things might seem to be out of proportion and uncalled to the populace of that county. However according to the study:1. It revealed the nature of gender relation in society was a benchmark to other counties in the country. 2. It created awareness in society and the government to employ remedial measures in gender relations. 3. This resulted to the establishment of Gender Recovery Centers in Hospitals which was a recommendation of MAWE. 4. It also encouraged men to start speaking out openly about their marital status freely without stigmatization. FOURTEEN: Statues of disgrace in public depicting stake naked men. ‚Someone may have misunderstood MAWE when it mounted a spirited protest on the statue depicting a stark naked boy in front of the Supreme Court of Kenya. These in my statement portrayed injustice to the boys and the impression at the corridors of justice evidently reflect the extent at which the boys have been ignored and neglected even by law institutions. These statues of disgrace are not only in Kenya according to a research by MAWE but also in Olso City in Norway known as ‘baby fighter’ which shows a stake naked grown up man situated at Frogner Park in Norway. The statues according to MAWE portray cruelty and abuse to children. Men who visit this park are traumatized and cannot comprehend the real interpretation of the statue which is seen holding two kids violently and kicking the other. This statue does not only promotes and fuel GBV but also portrays men as potential child abusers in the family. The shame should be removed in world public as a matter of urgency in this Nation that claims to be leading in observing gender parity. Another stake naked boy statue known as Manneken Pis is seen peeing in public and is erected in front of a restaurant in Brussels City in Belgium and is over 600 years old and his partner Jeaneken Pis is a stake naked girl seen peeing in public in Brussels. These statues according to MAWE should either be clothed or removed in public as they violate children and human rights‛ FIVETEEN: Kikuyu (Kiambu County) rescue mission turns chaotic http://www.nation.co.ke Published on Jun 5, 2013 A rescue mission for a bed ridden tycoon in Kikuyu town in Kiambu County allegedly locked up in his house without access to medication turned chaotic when armed police dispersed sympathizers. Led by Maendeleo Ya Wanaume organisation MAWE angry villagers stormed Mr Francis Muturi's compound but were soon repulsed by the police who threatened to lob teargas canisters. The police also turned away journalists but promised to take the ailing man to hospital. Villagers claimed the man's wife was denying him access to doctors so that he dies and she inherits his vast property. The police arrested activist and locked him up at the Kikuyu police station before he was later released." Gender abuse is rife in this area because of selective empowerment of the females at the expense of males...scheming women from this county lure their spouses to invest in their in-laws and sooner or later are often kicked out or killed and their property consfisticated by their widows," Njoka told journalists. SIXTEEN: The Nation Newspaper Reporter JAMES NGUJIRI Published on 24 June 2015 Second Annual International Day of The Boychild Marked in Kisumu A woman accused of stabbing her lover's genitals with a knife was charged with assault yesterday in a Nyeri court. Ms Valentine Mugure, 25, is accused of stabbing Mr Paul Mwangi, 26, with a knife twice on Tuesday. She denied the charge.
The prosecution asked that Mugure be remanded as Mwangi was admitted to the Nyeri public hospital in a critical condition after surgery. The magistrate remanded Ms Mugure until the mention of the case on June 15. She is alleged to have stabbed Mr Mwangi with a knife at Gamerock near Nyeri Town. The two have been living together for a few months and are reported to have had a quarrel over money which led to the attack. This was the reportedly their first quarrel. Mr Mwangi is a cashier in Nyeri town. Meanwhile, a lobby group fighting for the rights of men in the country has accused the government of entertaining domestic violence. Maendeleo ya Wanaume-MAWE lobby group yesterday said many men are having their genitals chopped off and is now a countrywide disaster. The lobby group's statement followed reports over the last week in Nyeri where women have assaulted their men. The lobby's chairman, Mr Ndiritu Njoka, challenged the county and the country's top leadership to condemn the attacks. "We have never heard the President or the First Lady talk about it. We have never heard political leaders condemn these acts. We feel the government is entertaining violence against men," Mr Njoka told the Nation. Mr Njoka said from their statistics, 99 per cent of women who are perpetrators of violence against men are set free by courts for 'lack of evidence', while 99 per cent of men are jailed. "It seems everything is against men," he said. He spoke as the group is set to hold its second annual international day of boys in Kisumu today. SEVENTEEN MAWE asks for battered men's funds The Star Newspaper by Reuben Githinji on19July 2013 MAWE Chairman-Ndiritu Njoka has requested-President Uhuru and DeputyPresident William Ruto to set-aside funds for Gender-BasedViolence victims.Njoka said the funds willcater for the needs of children a nd survivors of theviolence.Speaking at the EmbuProvincial General H ospitalwhen hevisited Patrick Njue,Njoka said the funds are verynecessary since children usually fall victim of the differences between their parents.. Njue was acid-burnt by his-wife last Tuesday leaving him partially blind with blisters-on the face.Njoka protested the continued neglect of male gender-and shift of focus to theirfemale counterparts, leadingto rise in violence cases ofagainst the male." Why hasn't the government done a survey on gender violence against me nsince independence? Thegovernment should serve itscitizens without dis crimination since it was elected byboth genders," Njoka said. He criticised the MarriageBill which has been tabled in-parliament, describing it as a scheme to undermine men. EIGHTEEN MAWE writes to UN on drugs Oct. 22, 2013, The Star Newspaper By WAMBUGU KANYI Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organisation wants the UN to declare alcohol and drug abuse an international disaster. Chairman Ndiritu Njoka said letters have been sent to the world leaders over the matter. He said this was part of the group’s resolutions during a meeting held at a Nanyuki hotel on Sunday and attended by 200 members. The chairman also urged the government to raise the age limit of alcohol usage to 22 years. NINETEEN Case studies Months of December 2012 and January 2013 experienced a spate of family and gender based violence where it was reported that a man had killed his three sons and daughter in Kisii County. 1. In Nandi County a father hacked his two children to death and attacked his wife and then killed himself. 2. In Nairobi County a father killed his five sons and later committed suicide by hanging himself in the police cells.
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In Nakuru County a woman killed her husband on Christmas day by slitting his throat with a kitchen knife after accusing him that he did not buy a Christmas gift. In Samburu County an assistant chief was stabbed to death by his wife during a domestic quarrel on how to share the proceeds of a cow the couple had sold, both were drunk during the argument. Malindi County, a man butchered his son and feasted on his internal organs.
Cases of women engaging hit men to kill their husbands have being the norm. Although they might seem as isolated cases they serve as a clear indication that something is very wrong. TWENTY Boys endangered 1. On January 2015, a fourth year female student at Mt Kenya University Teresia Roselyine Mburu confessed to killing her boyfriend Zacharia Ndwiga by stabbing him. She accused him of being unfaithful. Ndwiga met his death in Thika’s Runda Estate on Chrismas night in 2014 2. On September 2015 a 21 year old girl was accused of brutally stabbing her boyfriend over a feud orchestrated by a text message at Buruburu in Nairobi. Ruth Kamande Wanjiru reportedly stabbed her 24 year old lover Farid Muhammed 22 times in the back, stomach, chest and neck. Farid was pronounced dead at Nairobi Hospital. Ruth was charged with murder at Milimani Law Court. 3. In March 2016 a pregnant teen stabbed her boyfriend to death after he posted the photo of another woman on his FaceBook wall. Police said the 19 year old used a kitchen knife to kill Kelvin Itatwa of 25 years moments after he arrived at her house in Kangemi. Kelvin was a third year student in Nairobi University and a footballer with Wazito FC TWENTY ONE Ignore the boy child and court future violence The Standard Newspaper https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000142643/ignore-the-boy-childand-court-future-violence
By Wacui Makori | Updated Wed, November 26th 2014 Over the next two or so weeks, the world will be engaged in 16 days of activism to highlight gender-based violence with a view to putting an end to it. Since the campaign began many years ago, it appears all cases of gender-based violence have highlighted the plight of women and girls, with little focus given to men and boys. Over the years, various organisations have come together with a clarion call to save the girl child and empower the woman. But over in the boy/man camp, there has been little activity. Too few are talking about this group's legal/human rights or engaged in mentoring them to become men who will stand up and make a difference. Indeed, who is encouraging our sons to sit up and take their studies seriously? to steer away from drugs, alcoholism and aggression? Who is telling them they were created to be leaders and showing them how to apply the principle of servant-leadership? Who is harnessing their God-given physical strength and directing it to protect rather than harm the vulnerable? Don't boys also need to be fought for?
Ndirangu, who is the MP for Roy Sambu, is going to table this bill in the National Assembly in February next year," Njoka said. The bill is a compilation of issues Mawa needs addressed including the boy child's right to education, his role in the family and society and his place in the current quota education system, which makes it possible for more girls to access university than boys, among other issues. And as we highlight and condemn all forms of violence, let us not gloss over this thing called militarism, which is affecting boys the most. Who appears to be most affected by radicalisation? Who are politicians using to commit acts of hooliganism? Which jails have more convicts; women's or men's? Isn't it our sons whose bodies are lying dead in the streets, shot for acts of aggression against their fellow citizens and the State? According to Simon Mbevi, the founder of Transform Nations, most cases of violence against boys are by close relatives or peers. However, almost all the victims admit they have never told anyone about it. WOUNDED MEN "They fear stigmatisation; that they will not be regarded as 'man enough'," said Mbevi. "This is what ails and also perpetrates violence against men. So while women have avenues to vent their issues, men are taught to bottle it up, resulting in a generation of wounded men," he said. While girls are busy in school, working hard to make something of themselves, boys appear to be wandering around in a daze. Years later, when the empowered female meets the male who has nothing more than his brute strength, guess what he will rely on to 'subjugate' her in order to make himself feel like a 'man'? "Men and women live in the same world and cannot do without each other", Njoka said. "If you educate the girl and leave the boy out, who is this girl going to marry? What kind of home will they build when their levels of exposure are so different? We cannot focus on one and leave the other," he said. As a mother of three sons, I look forward to a time when, across the country, real men will step up and teach the younger ones how to be men and help them understand their worth is not vindicated when they oppress, suppress or humiliate women. Real men use their powers of negotiation, compromise, logic, reason, respect and consideration to influence society; they do not use brute force and bullying to force their way. It is time the focus was balanced out and this could start with a proposal in the Boy Child Policy Bill to establish June 11 as the day to celebrate the boy child. Meanwhile, Transform Nations is pushing for a national commission to look into the boys' and men's issues. Read more at: It is only an ignorant government which will be deaf to such cases that were rare in the recent past but are now common in the society. These among other brutal face of life styles in the families are leaving every person wondering really what has gone wrong with marriage unions thus calls for national and international legal structural framework to manage and monitor families in order to restore sanity.
Last Wednesday, the world marked International Men's Day and Ndiritu Njoka of Maendeleo ya Wanaume (MAWE) had said the focus would be on the boy child, "who is now Kenya's weaker sex". For the past seven years, Mr Njoka has zeroed in on defending the boy child whose plight he said had been largely ignored even though the Constitution states otherwise. "Our Constitution talks about the rights of children, not a boy or girl. It says our children have a right to education, life and basic needs among other rights that are usually highlighted only for the girl child," he said. In response, MAWE in March this year came up with a Boy Child Policy Bill, which they presented to the Attorney General and the National Assembly's Legal and Justice Committee. "Our Secretary, Waihenya
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Bibliography Annexure 1 I. Books and Articles ONS BCS Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences 2013/14 http://bit.ly/1BNXig1; Table 4.03 on Appendix Table: http://bit.ly/1xBrIHG Bates, Elisabeth, A; Graham ” Kevan, Dr Nicola; Archer, John. 2013. Testing Predictions From the Male Control Theory of Men’s Partner Violence. Aggressive Behavior. Vol. 9999. Pp. 1 ” 14. ONS BCS Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences 2014/15 http://bit.ly/1p8CGl0 Table 4.13 on Appendix Table: http://bit.ly/1M1diC5 British Crime Survey 2008/09 Table 3.07 (page 76) http://tinyurl.com/7u7nvm4 ONS BCS Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences 2014/15; http://bit.ly/1p8CGl0 Table 2.05 on Appendix Table: http://bit.ly/1M1diC5 Source: Department of Children, Society and the Family http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR128.pdf (page 26) (For 2013 data). Source: Forced Marriage Unit, Home Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/f ile/291855/FMU_2013_statistics.pdf Benjamin J. A. & Lynn Murchison, Gender-Based Violence: Care & Protection of Children in Emergencies, A Field Guide, Save the Children Federation Inc. (2004) Centre for Law and Research International (CLARION), ‚An Introduction to Gender, Law and Society: Constitutional Debate No. 11,‛ (Claripress Limited, Nairobi 2001) Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) 2006 Bride Price: Is it Modern Day Slavery? ; Nairobi: Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness Flowers R. B., 1987, Women and Criminality, Practitioner Greenwood Press, USA. Government of Kenya, Report of the Commission on Marriage (1970) Hanmer J. and M. Maynard eds., 1987, Women, Violence and Social Control, MacMillan Academic and Professions Ltd., Hong Kong. Joel Meyer, Reflections on Some Theories of Punishment, The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, Vol. 59, No. 4 (Dec., 1968), pp. 595-599 Mitullah W. et al., Women Inheritance Laws & Practices, WLEA, Nairobi (2002). Rennison C. M., Ph.D. and Sarah Welchans Intimate Partner Violence, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Statisticians Special Report May 2000 Stanko E. A., 1985, Intimate Intrusions, Routledge & Kegan Paul, New York, USA Tony Draper, An Introduction to Jeremy Bentham’s Theory of Punishment, Bentham Project, University College London, http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/653/1/9
Tony Johnson 2002 ‚Domestic Abuse in Kenya‛ in Population Communication Africa Gender series: A Briefing Handbook; Nairobi: Executive Printers. UNAIDS: Violence Against Women and Girls in the Era of HIV/AIDS: A Situation and Response Analysis in Kenya, June 2006 UNFPA, State f the World Report , 2005 Ward J., If Not Now, When? Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Refugee, Internally Displaced and Post-Conflict Settings. New York: The Reproductive Health in Conflict Consortium (2002) Coup de grace Gender Apartheid 1st World War Of Sexes by Ndiritu Njoka 2014
2. International Instruments The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Adopted June 27, 1981, OAU Doc. CAB/LEG/67/3 rev. 5, 21 I.L.M.58 (1982), entered into force Oct. 21, 1986 The Protocol To The African Charter On Human And Peoples’ Rights On The Rights Of Women In Africa, Adopted by the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, Maputo , 11 July 2003 The AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa concluded the Heads of State and Government meeting in the Third Ordinary Session of our Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 6-8 July 2004. The Declaration on the Elimination on Violence Against Women (DEVAW) United Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/104 Of 20 December 1993 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) U.N.T.S. No. 14668, vol. 999 (1976) p. 171. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) G.A. res. 2200A (XXI), 21 U.N.GAOR Supp. (No. 16) at 49 The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 19 I.L.M. 33 (1980) 3. National Laws The Constitution of Kenya (2000) Children’s Act The Sexual Offences Act, Act No 3 of 2006. Penal Code Cap. 63 of the Laws of Kenya Marriage Act 2014 Matrimonial property Act ”Cap 152 of the Laws of Kenya Widows and Children Pension Scheme. The Protection against Domestic Violence Act
Annexure 2 Survey Questionnaire A: Research Site Information 1. Location…………………………………………….. 2. Division……………………………………………… 3. District………………………………………………. 4. County.---------------------------------B: Bio-data and Household Information 5. Name ……………………………………(Optional) 6. Gender: 1. Male 2. Female 7. Age……………………………………….……………. 8. Marital Status 9. If Married or divorced/separated, type of marriage 10. Level of Education 11. Spouse’s level of education 12. Occupation……………………………………………….. 13. Spouse’s Occupation…………………………………….. 14. Household information: Please fill in the following table C: Household information (Children, other members, property and Source of Income) a) Children/Gender Age 1. In school 2. Out of school H/Household main source of income, Approximate Expenditure Per month (Kshs.) Child 1, Child 2, Child 3, Child 4, Child 5 b) Other members (list & Specify) Gender Age 1. In school 2. Out of school Their main source of income Approximate Expenditure Per month (Kshs.)
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017 D: Prevalence, causes, and magnitude of Gender-based domestic violence 14. a) Have you ever been physically abused within the homestead? 1. Yes 2. No b) Yes who was the perpetrator……………………………………………….. c) Please narrate details of the occurrence giving the specific nature and type of the abuse. d) How often does such an incidence occur? (Tick one) 1. Once in while 2. Regularly 3. All the time e) What circumstances often lead to such abuses? (Please narrate in detail) 15. a) Have you ever been verbally/emotionally abused within the homestead? 1. Yes 2. No b) If yes, who was the perpetrator……………………………………………….. c) Please narrate details of the occurrence giving the specific nature of the abuse. d) How often do such incidences occur? (Tick one) 1. Once in while 2. Regularly 3. All the time e) What circumstances often lead to such abuses? (Please narrate in detail) 16. a) Does or has your spouse/partner ever given you support to better your livelihood? 1. Yes 2. No b) If yes, please give details c) Has s/he ever denied you of anything that you feel is your entitlement? 1. Yes 2. No d) If yes, Please give details e) What, in your view are the reasons behind such denial? 17. a) Has anyone you know experienced either physical or emotional or both types of abuses? 1. Yes 2. No b) Please narrate the circumstances that led to such abuses c) How frequent are such incidences in this community? 1. Very rare 2. Rare 3. Frequent 4. Very Frequent d) What in your view underlies the frequency/rareness of such incidences? E: Strategies for addressing gender-based domestic violence 18. a) How as an individual do you deal with physical abuses perpetrated by your spouse/partner or other member of the household? 19. a) Have you ever reported an incidence of abuse to anyone, agency or authority? 1. Yes 2. No b) If yes, kindly give details including how the matter was resolved. 20. a) Does this community use any methods to handle domestic violence? 1. Yes 2. No b) If yes, please mention them and narrate their merits and de-merits in curbing the vice. c) Suggest what you think are the best and most effective way of dealing domestic violence in your community 21. a) Are you aware of any initiatives/organizations that are involved in addressing domestic violence? 1. Yes 2. No b) If yes, please mention them. c) What do you suggest would be the best way for such initiatives/organizations to approach the issue of domestic violence? d) What in your view are the major challenges in stamping out domestic violence in your community? 22. a) In your view, which categories of people in your community are most affected by domestic violence? b) What are major consequences of domestic violence for those categories of people? 23. a) In your view, what type of changes should be made to the law to help fight domestic violence? b) Suggest the parties that should be involved while making such changes and in what way
Annexure iii:
Focus Groups Discussion Guide Section A: Prevalence and extent of GBDV/Intimate partner violence 1. Site of study, group composition and description of participants 2. Whether participants are aware of GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area, their estimation on prevalence and who the main perpetrators are (men/women?) 3. Major reasons/circumstances that usually occasion GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area (probe for family-based and other reasons) Section B: Types and Forms of GBDV/ Intimate partner violence and the on sequences of violence 4. Nature and common types of prevailing GBDV/Intimate partner violence including psychological/emotional, economic and physical bodily abuse (probe in details the forms violence takes and estimated frequency of such occurrences) in the area 5. Consequences of the various types and forms of GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area 6. Whether participants have experienced any spousal support (men/women); 7. Nature types of such support mentioned and the estimated prevalence of such spousal support in the area. Section C: Strategies for and challenges of addressing GBDV/Intimate partner violence 8. How the community, individual women/men deal with GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area. 9. Types and forms of interventions to GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area that the participants are aware of in the areas 10. Existing community level structures, government and civil society actors in the area that are involved in addressing GBDV/Intimate partner violence (probe on the various initiatives) 11. Performance (success/failure stories) of initiatives focusing on GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area 12. What participants perceive to be challenges and barriers for success in addressing GBDV/Intimate partner violence in the area. Section D: Suggestions on the way forward in tackling GBDV/Intimate partner violence 13. Participants’ suggestions on how to surmount the identified challenges and barriers to effectively addressing GBDV/Intimate partner violence in general and their area in particular (probe for what they perceive as appropriate individual, community, and civil society and government level initiatives) 14. Participants’ ideas on who should be involved in processes for addressing GBDV/Intimate partner violence and for what reasons 15. The views of participants on strategies and activities that should be deployed to deal effectively with GBDV/Intimate partner violence generally and particularly in their area.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
Maendeleo Ya Wanaume (MAWE) or Global Men Empowerment Network (GMEN) Head Quarters at- Githurai- C.E.O. Centre Ground Floor SUITE 10 & 11. P.O. Box 37077 00100 Nairobi – Office mobile no. 0733 222 544 Email maendeleoyawanaumeorganization@gmail.com-globalmenempowermentnetwork@[email protected] Date: March 2017 Press Statement Members of the fourth estate, Welcome to Maendeleo ya Wanaume Press briefing. Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization (MAWE) or Global Men Empowerment Network (GMEN) is an NGO in Kenya registered under no. OP.218/051/14-0281/9756 and committed to promoting gender equality, ending gender based violence and initiating programs that enhance male gender empowerment. MAWE singular aim is to rally for an equitable society devoid of discrimination. MAWE believes that all persons in Kenya are susceptible to various forms of discrimination in one way or another. MAWE stands for the empowerment and restoration of the boy child and the man through deliberate government programs and policies that are destined to enable the male gender fit within the social constructs and expectations of the African society. Man is called to provide irrespective of his income or lack of it. Any order that upsets this traditional setup is bound to cause massive disruption of the family as the basic unit of the society. We have called you here today to share with you findings of a research conducted by this organization on gender and domestic abuse and violence in Kenya. The survey was conducted by MAWE and sampled 10 counties in 2016 namely Nairobi, Nyeri, Kilifi, Kisumu, Kitui, Kisii, Kakamega, Meru, Homa bay and Nakuru counties using stratified cluster sampling approach. The study revealed that violence against men and boys is an extensive rights abuse that is grossly under reported. The survey documented experiences from men and boys about physical, emotional and economic violence, including incidents of intimate partner violence and general gender and domestic based violence by non-intimate partners. The study revealed that 7 in 10 men have experienced some form of violence be it physical, emotional or economic in their lifetime. The study showed that 3 0ut of 10 men are regularly abused equivalent to 2.8 million. The study showed that over 200 boys are sexually assaulted daily. We have clustered the findings based on the counties where the survey was conducted and by the prevalence of violence against men and boys. -Emotional abuse In the order of top bottom. 1. Nairobi 2. Kiambu 3. Meru 4. Homa Bay 5. Nakuru 6. Kakamega 7.Kilifi 8. Kisii 9. Machakos with Nyeri county becoming number 10. -Economical and physical Abuse In the order of top to bottom 1. Nairobi 2. Kiambu 3. Kakamega 4. Nakuru 5. Homa Bay 6. Meru 7.Kilifi 8. Kisii 9. Machakos with Nyeri county becoming number 10. The survey also identified varied reasons why men who experience violence fail to seek help or report. These include stigma, fear of rejection, embarrassment and fear of accelerated violence. -The survey addresses the government on the following 16 key issues:1.
2. 3.
The study showed that boy child neglect and abuse is a time bomb and recommends the government to declare it a disaster in waiting or a time bomb and also called on the introduction of an affirmative action urgently that will create among others programs that will motivate secondary school boys and prepare and equip them as young adults. The study recommends the government that rape and defilement by men against men or boys be gazetted as a sexual offence crime that carries the same sentence as rape or defilement against females by also amending the Sexual Offences Act 2006. The study recommends the government to declare circumcision free of charge to all boys and ban wearing shorts in schools and instead wear trousers since shorts are colonial and a disadvantage to boys particularly in primary since most don’t have innerwear thereby affecting their education and moral confidence.
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
4.
The study recommends the government to ban prefects and the use of mobile phones by students in primary and secondary schools. 5. The study recommends to the government to ban traditional circumcision of boys which has placed them at risks of HIV/AIDS and penis deformities. 6. The study recommends the government to legislate a Boy Girl Fund (BGF) that will equally benefit them as all have special needs and equal rights as children. 7. The study recommends the government to legislate Betting Games Laws that will ban under 18 years from practicing and also ban songs or videos that are abusive or intimidate and demoralize the male gender. 8. The study recommends to the government to deploy 2 armed police in all boarding schools as a security prevention measure to curb sporadic arson and install CCTV in all secondary schools particularly in classes, dormitories and toilets so as to monitor student’s actions and curb cases of rape, insecurity and drug abuse. 9. The study recommends to the government to address civil rights of junior youths by lowering the effective age of identification requirement from 18 to 16 years as young adults in order to access their fundamental rights including access to modern technology, property acquisition, right to give evidence in court, driving, participate in general elections, access to PIN and banking, health schemes, telecommunication and other modern requirements. 10. The study recommends the government to introduce Physical and Sex Education PSE in schools from form 1-4. 11. The study recommends to the government to ban selective gender empowerment programs and improve on equal gender budget allocation henceforth starting from the coming national budget where men are keen to see an all-inclusive budget proposition. 12. The study recommends the government to ban chiefs and their assistants from handling domestic violence matters and instead implement workable service to address domestic disputes. The mandated of handling domestic violence should not be downplayed by the government by allowing unqualified personals to mingle with sensitive marriage issues. 13. The study recommends to the government to ban the Women Enterprise Fund [WEF] and Uwezo Fund and or transform them to a Family Fund [FF] so as to cater for the whole family as a unit with the husband, wife and children sharing equal access and responsibility on loans and defaults, men above 35 years who have no income activities are discriminated and therefore the fund will place them at par with the empowered wife. 14. The study recommends to the government to ban and declare boda boda transport a disaster in waiting as it is the top road killer and proposed the creation of Road Accidents Survivors Fund (RASF) and also register all road accidents survivors with the County government in order to empower them with income generating activities and offset hospital bills which are very high. It is a fact that many road accident victims end up selling properties, thus are reduced to paupers and potential bachelors and spinsters with the government also abandoning them to fate. 15. The Constitution of Kenya is a Goddess according MAWE since it grossly discriminates the male gender at the expense of females and needs a major surgery by amending contentious gender clauses like Article 100 which brackets all women as marginalized and assumes that all men are empowered because of the fact of been a man which is very misleading. 16. MAWE calls on all men to participate in the coming general elections by voting men and women of quality leadership who have a clear policy agenda that will address among others men and boys matters. On behalf of MAWE, I take this opportunity to advice men countrywide to boycott voting for the so called Women County Reps in the coming general elections. Parliament should not be turned into an arena of gender animosity and feminism but should serve Kenyans equally regardless of gender. On this note, MAWE proposes the government to close all alcohol drinking and selling outlets on the Election Day and a day prior to the election date so as to observe a sober environment in the important process. There have been repeated calls for years for a comprehensive data on violence against men and boys. It is clear, with the publication of these results, that the time is now ripe to address violence against men and boys on the basis of the results supplied by the study from the 10 selected counties. Finally ladies and gentlemen, as an organization that aims to protect the rights of men and boys and as its chair, MAWE do hereby release these research findings to the public titled “State of the Nation Study on Violence against Men and Boys” which is the first of its kind to be published in this country. I hereby with authority bestowed to me by members of this organization and in accordance to the Constitution of Kenya, Article 132 (4)(d)and 54 (1) (a) on other public emergencies, do hereby request the President of Kenya to declare “a State of Emergency” due to these grave results on gender relations in Kenya. I therefore on behalf of MAWE raise a red flag to mark this black day and sad state of affairs for men and boys in Kenya. On behalf of MAWE, I call upon both the National and County Governments and non-State actors to familiarize themselves with the findings of this survey and take appropriate urgent measures to tame violence against men and particularly boys and restore sanity in the social and economic sphere -Thank you. Field Marshal Ndiritu Njoka Chairman, Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization (MAWE) or Global Men Empowerment Network (GMEN)
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Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization [MAWE] - State of the Nation Study on Violence Against Men and Boys [VAMB] in Kenya 2017
“Above is a photo of a deserted matrimonial home which portrays the status of many marriages currently”
acknowledge receipts
Maendeleo Ya Wanaume Organization (MAWE) Global Men Empowerment Network (GMEN) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website: maendeleoyawanaume.org.co.ke Head Quarters at- Githurai- C.E.O. Centre Ground Floor, SUITE 10 & 11. P.O. Box 37077 00100 Nairobi Office mobile numbers. 0722 764 995 or 0733 222 544 or 0724 024 777
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