Election-related sexual violence has been a recurring issue in Kenya, posing significant threats to the safety, well-being, and rights of individuals, particularly women and girls. To address this critical issue and foster accountability, UTU WETU held a Symposium on accountability for election-related sexual violence in Kenya from November 30th to December 1st, 2023. The symposium brought together experts, stakeholders, survivors, and activists to discuss strategies and recommendations for breaking the cycle of violence, seeking reparations for survivors, and amplifying the survivor’s voices.
Creating Awareness and Advocacy
One of the key outcomes of the symposium was the call to action for civil society organizations (CSOs) to reassess their approach when engaging with the government. Advocacy efforts were aimed at championing reparations for survivors and addressing current threats to post-election peace. The symposium emphasized the importance of leveraging media as a critical partner in securing accountability for election-related sexual violence. Media can play a significant role in holding the state accountable and driving change by raising awareness and amplifying survivor stories.
Strategic Impact Litigation
The symposium recognized strategic impact litigation as a powerful vehicle for accountability. By using legal mechanisms, survivors and advocates can challenge systemic failures and demand justice for survivors of election-related sexual violence. The symposium explored emerging issues in this area and put forth recommendations for continued engagement with survivors, development of guidelines, and establishment of a specialized team within the Department of Public Prosecutions to ensure credible and independent investigations and prosecutions.
Reparation Framework and Memorialization
Another key focus of the symposium was developing a reparation framework beyond material compensation. Survivors of election-related sexual violence often face long-lasting physical, psychological, and socio-economic consequences. It highlighted the importance of a holistic perspective on reparations, encompassing psycho-social, medical, and legal assistance. Memorialization was recognized as an essential element of redress for sexual violence, honoring the experiences of survivors and ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.
Centering the Survivor Voice
A central theme of the symposium was the empowerment and centering of survivor voices. Survivors of election-related sexual violence shared their stories, shedding light on the profound impact of violence on their lives and livelihoods. The symposium acknowledged the critical role of survivors in driving change. It recommended continued engagement with survivors and the public to enhance prevention efforts, amplify the call for accountability, and hold perpetrators responsible. The Survivor Manifesto, a powerful testimony of resilience and determination, was also presented during the symposium.
The Symposium served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the formulation of actionable recommendations. It underscored the urgency of addressing the systemic failures in preventing, investigating, prosecuting, and compensating survivors of election-related sexual violence. Adopting a multi-faceted approach that combines strategic impact litigation, reparation frameworks, survivor-centered initiatives, and media engagement makes it possible to advance accountability, break the cycle of violence, and create a safer and more inclusive electoral environment in Kenya.