PISCAA
Advocacy Campaign for the Kwale County Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Protection Act, 2023
Policy Advocacy & Community Engagement Initiative | 2024
Implemented by the Hijabi Mentorship Program, supported through the PISCCA Decid'Her Program in partnership with the French Embassy in Kenya, CREAW Kenya, Hewlett Foundation, and Decid'Her.
This initiative was designed to strengthen public understanding of the newly enacted Kwale County SGBV Act, build institutional capacity for implementation, and improve survivor-centered responses to gender-based violence. The project combined policy advocacy, public participation, media engagement, law enforcement training, community dialogue, and survivor-centered awareness campaigns to bridge the gap between legislation and the lived realities of women and girls.
Matuga
Kinango
Msambweni
Lungalunga
40
Law enforcement officers trained on SGBV response
40
Stakeholders and duty bearers trained
120
Community members trained on SGBV Act
250K+
Radio listeners reached via Radio Kaya & Jay FM
Key Milestones & Strategic Focus
Conducted county-wide advocacy activities across Matuga, Kinango, Msambweni, and Lungalunga, strengthening public awareness and community engagement around the Kwale County SGBV Protection Act, 2023.
Trained 40 law enforcement officers, 40 stakeholders and duty bearers, and 120 community members on survivor-centered approaches, SGBV Act implementation, referral pathways, and gender-sensitive response mechanisms.
Facilitated multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement forums bringing together government officials, police officers, healthcare workers, community leaders, and civil society organizations to strengthen coordination on GBV prevention and response.
Organized public participation and advocacy forums focused on county planning and budgeting, survivor protection services, safe houses and recovery centers, and public accountability in SGBV response systems.
Conducted multiple radio advocacy sessions via Radio Kaya and Jay FM, reaching an estimated audience of over 250,000 listeners with discussions on survivor rights, public participation, youth leadership, the role of men in GBV prevention, and implementation of the SGBV Act.
Developed and disseminated Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials — including posters and simplified advocacy resources — placed in schools, hospitals, markets, and public spaces across Kwale County.
Strengthened survivor-centered advocacy approaches by promoting confidential reporting pathways, psychosocial support referrals, trauma-informed case handling, and community-based support systems.
Contributed to county-level policy dialogue, including participation in the first Sexual Violence Protection Board discussions and THMP's inclusion in sector working groups focused on implementation of the SGBV Act.
Elevated conversations around safe houses for survivors, budget allocation for GBV prevention, translation of the Act into local languages, and public accountability through continuous advocacy and media engagement.
Integrated innovative advocacy approaches including media-driven policy engagement, survivor-centered storytelling, digital advocacy campaigns, youth-led engagement models, and trauma-informed and intersectional advocacy approaches.
Strategic Contribution
This initiative helped transform the Kwale County SGBV Act from a legal framework into a more visible public accountability issue by strengthening awareness, institutional engagement, and grassroots advocacy. The project also reinforced the importance of survivor-centered systems, multi-sectoral coordination, and public participation in advancing justice, protection, and gender equality within underserved communities.
Supported By
PISCCA Decid'Her Program
French Embassy in Kenya
CREAW Kenya
Hewlett Foundation
Decid'Her
