In much of Bungoma County, such violence against women continues to be viewed as a private domestic matter, and is, in many instances, condoned. Stigmatization accompanying this violence often affects the quality of life of the woman, her self-esteem and her self-worth. Children raised in such an environment are socialized to accept GBV.
Bungoma County does not have a well-established facility to which victims of GBV can go to seek support, redress and rehabilitation. Nor is there a structured programme of counselling and psycho-social support for survivors of GBV. Victims are often left to cope on their own.
Whereas the County Government through the Department of Social Services, law enforcement and religious bodies recognize and play their part in addressing this menace, they are constrained in terms of resources and qualified personnel.
Community involvement in the fight against GBV in society is minimal. Young women and boys are little prepared to cope with the effects of GBV should they encounter it. Media – both print and electronic – often highlight cases of GBV as news items but do little to educate the masses on the negative effects of the vice.
In difficult-to-reach communities such as Mt. Elgon Sub County, GBV survivors have no recourse except family-constituted reconciliation committees that are themselves male-dominated. Women rights lobby groups, CBOs, NGOs and other social welfare groups operate in urban areas and venture into the county-side only occasionally.
It is this missing link that Mt. Nebo Protection and Rescue Haven sought to establish. Founded in 2021 by like-minded individuals who were eager to address the plight of GBV survivors, Mt Nebo acquired a large town-house in a secure environment in Kanduyi and established a rescue and rehabilitation Centre.
The facility can comfortably accommodate 40+ survivors of GBV at a time.
In partnership with other agencies, Mt. Nebo Protection and Rescue Haven is focused on being the “go-to” facility for rescue, care, legal support, accommodation, psycho-social support, counselling and rehabilitation of GBV survivors.
