Focus: Violence in Kenya

More than 1,000 people are estimated to have been killed and an estimated 300,000 displaced by violence in Kenya following the recent presidential election. News in the aftermath include reports of a sharp increase in rapes, including brutal gang rapes. The BBC reports that the number of rapes has more than doubled. At least half the cases are reported to be of girls under 18. Read the BBC report.

Rape and other sexual violence against women and girls are widespread in conflicts: From Bosnia to Iraq to the Democratic Republic of Congo, women and girls have been targeted. Such violence can contribute to the erosion of the social and economic fabric as women are severely traumatized and forced to abandon their jobs. In many cases women who are displaced by violence are unable to access medical care and other services. Rape survivors may be ostracized by their families and communities, which has serious repercussions for them and their children.

Read about the increase of rape and sexual violence in Kenya in the aftermath of the elections. Rape is also occurring in the camps that have been set up for people displaced by the violence. Read about rape in the camps.

Learn more about gender violence in conflicts.

Read Jeanne Ward's essay as she reflects on the outburst of violence in Kenya, observing it up close as an expat aid worker living in Nairobi and as one who has devoted her career to fighting gender-based violence.

How You Can Help

The International Violence Against Women Act was recently introduced in Congress. It focuses on what the United States can do within its own foreign assistance programs to prevent and respond to sexual violence against women, such as fund programs that provide women with greater access to economic and education programs and help train national judiciaries and militaries to do more to protect women and girls.

Urge your Senators to support the International Violence Against Women Act now.

End Violence against Women and Girls

Find out how the Women's Commission is working to reduce displaced women and girls' vulnerability to gender-based violence through:

Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls

Key Gender-Based Violence Messages, Facts and Stats

Read on for more reproductive health resources, such as If Not Now, When? Addressing Gender-based Violence in Refugee, Internally Displaced, and Post-Conflict Settings (the first global survey on gender-based violence in displaced settings).

© 2008 Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children • 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168
Tel. (212) 551-3115/3000 • info@womenscommission.org

The Women's Commission was established in 1989 to address the particular needs of refugee and displaced women and children. The Women's Commission is affiliated with and is legally part of the International Rescue Committee, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It does not receive direct financial support from the IRC.