Jamii Yenye Amani Haki na Usawa
Focused support services for survivors of gender-based violence during COVID-19 Pandemic
Brief
COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women and girls due to already pre-existing gender and intersecting inequalities. Furthermore, there has been a spike in gender-based violence, an occurrence associated with COVID-19 impacts and curbing measures. Women and girls form the majority of victims of gender-based violence. To build back better, women and girls, have to invest much more to restore their livelihoods and wellbeing given this context. In reaction to COVID-19 impacts, commercial banks cut down lending especially to the informal sector where women’s businesses are most concentrated, shrinking the limited space for women’s access to credit.
Our Response
CREAW, GROOTS Kenya, and CCGD with support from Mastercard Foundation came together and identified 10 counties in Kenya where they would support survivors of Gender-Based Violence in the context of COVID-19 in the resilience and recovery process using a holistic approach that combines economic and non-economic support for sustainable outcomes. The partners designed a KShs 50,000,000 fund disbursed in form of personal grants and affordable loans to at least 1,000 survivors. The fund is operated alongside other GBV response services including legal advisory services, psychosocial support, rescue services & shelter facilities, business development support services.
Groots Kenya
Center for Rights Education and
Awareness (CREAW)
Collaborative Center for Gender Development (CCGD)
Kenya Women Microfinance Bank PLC (KWFT)