Pawa Initiative programmes manager Shitemi Khamadi during a forum against gender-based violence in Mombasa. [Photo/Maxwell Ngala].
Forced marriages make up the highest number of gender-based violence cases in the Coast region, a survey has revealed.The survey conducted by Africa Alliance of Young Male Christian Association (YMCA) revealed that forced marriages in Kilifi and Mombasa counties have risen to 80 percent.The survey sought to establish the understanding of young people on violence against women and while the results were varied, the majority felt that forced marriages were not only rampant but a form of gender-based violence.The respondents interviewed were between the ages of 25 and 35 years old.Addressing a forum against gender-based violence in Mombasa on Friday, PAWA Initiative programmes manager Shitemi Khamadi said in Kilifi, forced marriages are perceived to be the most rampant (69 percent) form of violence against women.“We need to have concerted efforts to reign in on forced marriages in communities. The practice is not only repugnant but also has negative effects on young girls. Their psychological and economic growth is hampered, hence affecting the family and community at large,” said Khamadi.The world is currently marking 16 Days of Activism, which will run from November 25 to December 10 with the aim of curbing gender-based violence in society.This year, the UNiTE Campaign is marking the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence under the theme, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls.” The theme reflects the core principle of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.“As part of this struggle, forced marriages lays core to ensuring that we live in a world free of violence against women and girls,” said Shitemi.PAWA Initiative and YMCA have launched a programme dubbed ‘A Real Man Is’ in Mombasa and Kilifi.The project is informed by this study and hopes to reach out to men to be more proactive in ending violence against women in society.