Communities in Homa Bay county have been tasked to promote management of HIV-Aids, Gender Based Violence and teenage pregnancies at the village level as cases of these threats continue to spiral.

A meeting held over the weekend was shocked to learn 10 new cases of GBV are reported monthly in almost all the eight sub-counties in the county, with little action from the authorities as perpetrators walk scot free.

At a public forum during the unveiling of a Community Advocacy Club (CAC) in Oyugis Town, Homa bay County, a local narrated how a boda boda rider is repeatedly abusing young girls he lures with cheap gifts, and ends up dumping them.

“This man marries in the morning, and by evening he has divorced, and when we report these cases, no action is taken as he is only arrested and not booked. It’s sad that when we pursue this matter police turn a blind eye, whereas the perpetrator threatens to kill anybody who reports him,” a woman who sought anonymity for fear of revenge said.

Empower patients

In view of this, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a self-funded Non-Governmental Organization with roots in the US has unveiled a programme to empower patients and non-patients to advocate for their rights and engage in healthcare decision-making processes.

“We are taking back management of HIV, GBV, teenage pregnancies and reporting of other health shortcomings to the community,” Mary Nyaguthii, AHF- Kenya’s HIV Prevention Programme Manager said, noting that the move is also aimed at making impact through advocacy by having a team that will specifically act as the voice of community.