It is time for women to know their rights, reduce social inequalities and create a better society. The Hijabi Mentorship Program (THMP) had a dialogue with women from Kinango A, Kinango B, Timboni and Magulani villages in Kinango sub-county to discuss matters on GBV and SRHR in their villages.

The women discussed on the issues they are facing in Kinango and collectively addressed them. The GBV experienced in these areas are;

· Gender bias men are favored more than women

· Domestic violence

· Defilement

· Teenage pregnancies

· Rape

· Child marriages

Lack of education has been a major problem in the area. There is high rate of poverty in the region and harmful cultures still practiced pushing young girls to child marriages. Most villagers are ignorant on matters affecting the community and do not pay much attention to them like rampant teenage pregnancies. Peer pressure among the teens leads them to be involved in early unprotected sex and involvement in prostitution.

Poverty has been a major issue to the victims of GBV in the area. Most people don’t have resources and the victims lack transport to court and police stations. The kangaroo courts in the villages do not give justice to the victims. The family elders silence the victims by shaming them and causing stigmatization.

Kinango women were happy to be enlighten from the dialogue they got, and suggested that there should be more women empowerment so that they can spearhead the addressing of GBV and SRHR issues in their communities.