Empowering women and girls: Accessible justice in Baringo County, Kenya

In Baringo County, situated in the Rift Valley of Kenya, vulnerable women and girls have long faced obstacles to accessing justice for sexual and gender- based violence. The region’s traditional justice systems, operated by male-dominated Councils of Elders, often perpetuate gender biases and fail to protect human rights. However, through the dedicated efforts of the Citizen Participation Forum (CIPAF) and the support of various justice sector actors, changes are finally happening.

One significant accomplishment of this project is the establishment of the Social Justice Centre in 2020 by CIPAF. This centre, run by six women volunteers with backgrounds in community health and counselling, provides community justice support to women and girls on various issues, including sexual and gender-based violence, property disputes, inheritance and child protection. The centre also makes referrals to other justice actors in the area, such as the Gender Desk at the local police station and the Children’s Office.

The Gender Desk, staffed by a dedicated female police officer, handles cases involving rape, defilement and indecent assault, primarily affecting women and children. This police officer works closely with other state and informal actors, including chiefs, village elders and the Children’s Officer, in order to ensure that victims of sexual and gender-based violence can access justice in a gender-sensitive way.

In addition, a mobile court is now set up twice a week in Marigat, providing a faster and more accessible way for sexual and gender-based violence victims to seek justice. Previously, victims had to travel 45 km to the nearest court, often sharing transport with offenders. The introduction of the mobile court has made a significant difference in the lives of those seeking justice.

The work carried out by CIPAF and its justice sector partners in Baringo County, including the establishment of the Social Justice Centre, the Gender Desk and the mobile court, has made considerable progress in ensuring that women and girls can access justice in the face of sex and gender- based violence. By addressing the challenges faced by traditional justice systems and collaborating with key actors representing the formal and informal justice processes, this project is helping to reshape the landscape of justice for the most vulnerable in the community.