GBV Champions Workshop for Adolescent Girls, Young Women & Men

January 22, 2025 – Suguta Marmar, Samburu County

In collaboration with CCGD, Today marked the end of a 2-day transformative workshop in Suguta Marmar, Samburu County, aimed at capacity building champions leading the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This specialized training brought together 30 dynamic individuals—20 young women and 10 young men—equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and support to become true GBV Champions within their communities.

A Multi-faceted Approach to Addressing GBV

The workshop focused on providing participants with the practical skills and resources to make a real difference in combating GBV. Key areas of focus included:

• Understanding GBV: Participants gained a deeper understanding of the various forms of GBV, including physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse. They learned how societal norms, power imbalances, and cultural factors contribute to the perpetuation of violence.
• Challenging Harmful Gender Norms: The workshop empowered participants to identify and challenge harmful gender stereotypes that contribute to the normalization of violence. They learned how to advocate for more equitable gender relations within their communities.
• Developing Safety Plans and Support Strategies: Participants learned how to develop safety plans for individuals experiencing GBV, including identifying safe spaces, emergency contacts, and escape routes. They also learned how to provide compassionate and empathetic support to survivors.
• Navigating Legal and Support Systems: The workshop provided information on the legal protections available to survivors of GBV, as well as connected them with relevant support services and resources.
• Effective Advocacy and Community Mobilization: Participants developed the skills to effectively advocate for change within their communities. They learned how to raise awareness, mobilize community action, and influence decision-makers to address GBV.

Leveraging Existing Resources: The “Piga Nduru” Campaign

A key component of this initiative was the integration of the “Piga Nduru” campaign. As seen in the accompanying image, “Piga Nduru” emphasizes the importance of reporting GBV cases to the relevant authorities. This campaign provides crucial contact information (999, 112, 116, 1195) for individuals to seek help and report incidents of violence.

Building a Stronger Community

By training these young individuals as GBV Champions, we aim to:

• Strengthen community-based responses to GBV: By equipping local leaders with the knowledge and skills to address the issue effectively.
• Increase reporting of GBV cases: By raising awareness about the “Piga Nduru” campaign and encouraging community members to utilize the provided contact numbers.
• Mobilize community action: By empowering young people to become advocates for change and drive initiatives to prevent and address GBV.

This workshop represents a significant step towards creating a safer and more inclusive community in Samburu County. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills and leveraging existing resources like the “Piga Nduru” campaign, we are confident that these young leaders will make a lasting impact in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.

Join us in supporting these young champions as they work to build a brighter future for all.