The Jordan Foundation has inaugurated a Sh1.3 billion state-of-the-art Gender-Based Violence (GBV) recovery facility in Narok, aimed at addressing the rising cases of femicide and intimate partner violence.
The Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre (KWCWC), funded by the James R. Jordan Foundation International, will provide comprehensive services including medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and vocational training to survivors.
Kenya’s Grim GBV Reality
The facility’s launch comes amid a GBV crisis that has reached alarming levels. In 2024, 160 femicide cases were reported, with Nairobi County leading at 18 deaths. Intimate partners are identified as primary perpetrators, with an estimated 45% of Kenyan women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Legal processes are slow, with GBV cases taking over five years to conclude, leaving survivors in cycles of abuse and impunity.
“For most survivors, leaving an abusive relationship or situation is difficult, especially if there are children involved. Most shelters are only able to accommodate individuals, making it harder for survivors to leave their children behind to seek help. They often fear that leaving will subject the children they leave behind to abuse and neglect or that their abusers will exploit their relationship to draw them back in. As a result, most opt to stay with their abuser to protect their dependents,” said Hermes Gichane, the Director of KWCWC’s GBVRC.
Jordan Foundation Addressing Systemic Challenges
The Narok facility aims to bridge gaps in existing support systems by offering one of the country’s largest shelters, accommodating up to 90 individuals and over 20 families. Survivors will have access to legal aid, financial literacy training, reproductive health education, and mental health support. This comprehensive approach seeks to rebuild survivors’ lives beyond emergency interventions.
International Support and Community Engagement
Deloris Jordan, mother of Michael Jordan, emphasized the importance of community involvement in combating GBV saying, “This Centre is for the people of Kenya. It’s not just about women; we need men’s support. The Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre is about family.” The facility launched on the eve of the International Women’s Day, highlighting the need for actionable reforms to address systemic inertia and cultural barriers that shield perpetrators.
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