Gender Desk Officially Launched at The UoN

By John Kariuki

The heightened campaign against Gender Based Violence got a shot in the arm on Thursday with the country’s first campus gender desk.

The University of Nairobi unveiled the desk with the ribbon cutting being carried out by Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Kiama, who was joined by partner organizations UNESCO, UN Women, Nairobi Womens Hospital CEO Dr. Sam Thenya and the days moderator and MC, Author Founder of Inua Dada, Janet Mbugua.

Affiliate Campaigns such as the #O3plus, are geared towards allowing students to get access to information and resources, allowing them to speak up.

O3plus is being lead by UNESCO, in association with the University of Nairobi and Mt. Kenya University as the pilot campuses.

UNESCO’s Regional Director, Prof. Hubert Gijzen, said, “The aim is to allow young people to reclaim Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future, through a series of conversations on campus and online.”

UN Women’s Country Representative Ann Mutavati noted that cases of violence against young people and against women are going up and she also encouraged students to be open about being tested on their HIV status, especially encouraging young men to do so.

The days moderator and the lead amplifier of the #O3plus campaign, Janet Mbugua said, “I think there’s so much work that needs to be done. I want us to have hundreds of safe spaces in this country starting with campuses. I’m extremely happy that there’s going to be safe spaces for women and men and children. Because so many people are going through Violence but where do they go after that.
Let’s normalise safe spaces in campuses and everywhere else. Even as Inua Dada Foundation there’s a safe space I support in Mombasa for safety and psychosocial support.”

Representatives also talked about the significance of the day coinciding with World AIDS Day and also recognising teenage pregnancies, all of which intersect to create what is being called a triple threat.

Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre Founder and CEO Dr. Sam Nthenya has pledged technical support and psychologists to support the UoN Gender Desk that has been launched today.

There was an increase of 7.3% of HIV infections. 67% of these new infections are among women and girls and 53% of deaths are among men.  

Prof. Hubert Gijzen, regional director UNESCO noted
“Highest infections happens between the age of 15-20yrs old, and this age group does not often realized they are the most vulnerable and so do not get tested.”

On her part representative of UN Women in Kenya Anne Mutavati noted:
“Women and girls are not safe in institutions of Higher Learning. Research shows that girls are affected in terms of their productivity in school and at their work places.”

The launch of the desk marks a milestone moment as the second such on the continent, the only other known one being on a campus in Tanzania.

About The Author