News
UNESCO's Safer Campuses Campaign Expands to Mombasa to Tackle Gender-Based Violence
The Safer Campuses Campaign is scaling up efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya’s higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs).
On November 21, 2024, the campaign launched in Mombasa, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. More than 600 students joined the launch of at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Mombasa Campus, along with, educators, and stakeholders.
The event marked by a march along Moi Avenue to raise awareness about the need for safer learning environments.
Academic studies reveal that in 2020, over of students in Kenya’s public universities have experienced violence, with female students disproportionately affected. Reports of university lecturers soliciting sexual favors for grades further underscore the urgency of addressing GBV in HTEIs. The campaign aims to drive broad shifts in attitudes and behaviors, leveraging a multisectoral approach to create safer campuses.
Radiology student Achilla Grace Lilian from KMTC highlighted the hidden prevalence of GBV on campuses:
I’ve heard about incidents of GBV on campus in my social circle, and it deeply troubled me. The idea of being part of a solution, rather than standing by, motivated me to join this movement.
Event Highlights and Milestones
Students’ Safe Space
The launch was marked by a series of transformative initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing issue of gender-based violence in higher education institutions. A pivotal highlight was the unveiling of a dedicated Students’ Safe Space at KMTC Mombasa Campus. This newly unveiled facility offers a comprehensive array of services, including health consultations, counseling sessions, and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information.
Peer Educator Training
The day after the launch, on November 22, 33 peer educators from KMTC underwent a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle GBV on their campuses. This intensive session covered crucial areas such as peer support, self-care strategies, wellness practices, and effective referral pathways. The training emphasized empowering these educators to become change agents within their academic environments, enabling them to not only raise awareness but also provide meaningful assistance to their peers. By fostering a supportive network of informed students, the program aims to create a ripple effect of awareness and intervention, ultimately contributing to a safer and more inclusive campus culture. These trained peer educators are now actively working within their institutions, leveraging their training to facilitate open discussions, guide affected individuals to appropriate resources, and advocate for preventive measures against GBV.
Creating safe spaces for students is a crucial step in addressing GBV and fostering an environment where learning can thrive.
Looking Ahead
The Safer Campuses Campaign will sustain its momentum with several upcoming initiatives. The programme aims to expand to Kisumu County in 2025.
The project will also continue to train and support peer educators in Mombasa and Nairobi, and planning to expand operations to Kisumu country.
