Women Leaders Root for Community-Driven Approach to Tackle GBV

Nairobi, Kenya — September 25, 2025

Amid rising concerns over gender-based violence (GBV), women leaders across Kenya are calling for solutions grounded in communities — arguing that top-down interventions alone have failed to fully address root causes. At a recent forum in Nairobi, they urged development of localized, cultural, and survivor-centered strategies to prevent and respond to violence. 

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• Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed emphasised the central role of community actors — village elders, women groups, religious leaders — in shifting norms that perpetuate violence. 

• The forum convened women representatives, civil society activists, legislators, and local influencers to deliberate on GBV trends, gaps in response, and the value of community ownership. 

• Proposals emerging from the event included expanding community action teams, bolstering grassroots dialogues, improving referral pathways in local areas, and increasing awareness campaigns tailored to local contexts. 

Why Community-Driven Models Matter

1. Cultural legitimacy & trust

   In many regions, community voices — especially of elders, women’s groups, and faith leaders — carry more influence than external agencies. Locally led interventions are more likely to resonate, be accepted, and sustain change over time.

2. Early detection & prevention

   When community members are sensitised, they can detect early signs of abuse or conflict and intervene before it escalates. They can also enforce norms and accountability locally.

3. Survivor support & accessibility

   In remote or underserved areas where formal services are far, community structures (local clinics, women networks, trained volunteers) can provide first aid, psychosocial support, safe houses, or referral to higher level facilities.

4. Norm change and sustainability

   Long-term transformation requires changing values, attitudes, and behaviors. That is more effective when communities own the process, rather than having external programs imposed.

Policy & Institution Alignment

• Kenya’s National Gender-based Violence Working Group has pushed for strategic reforms that include strengthening community structures, integrating GBV prevention into local government planning, and enhancing legal enforcement. 

• NGOs and government alike have been working on community engagement models — for example, in Isiolo County, the “POWER” Project has supported community action teams to prevent GBV and FGM. 

• However, gaps persist: insufficient funding, weak referral systems, limited capacity in rural areas, under-resourced local police/GBV desks, and disconnects between national frameworks and local realities.

Risks, Caveats & Challenges

• Burden on volunteers: Community actors often work under little remuneration or support; sustainability requires funding, training, supervision, and protection.

• Local power dynamics: In some areas, traditional or patriarchal structures may resist change or co-opt community initiatives.

• Coordination & standardization: Ensuring that community efforts link with formal systems (police, courts, health) needs clear frameworks and accountability.

• Resource constraints: Many localities lack basic infrastructure, safe shelters, or legal aid services to back up community interventions.