Horn of Africa Gateway Road Project Intensifies Fight Against Gender-Based Violence
The Horn of Africa Gateway Road Project, in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Isiolo, has scaled up efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through community sensitization forums and sporting activities along the project corridor.
The initiatives target indigenous communities living along the road route, with a focus on promoting women’s rights and raising awareness on GBV. Through dialogue and community engagement, the project aims to strengthen prevention, reporting, and collective responsibility in addressing violence against women and girls.
Florence Ogalo, the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project’s Social Safeguards Officer, said the sensitization activities build on groundwork already laid to empower women and prevent GBV. She noted that the project has put in place measures to ensure a safe working environment for all genders and safeguards to protect community women from sexual exploitation by road construction workers.
Ogalo added that the project has also prioritized women’s inclusion by offering direct employment opportunities and supporting indirect livelihoods such as food vending and the supply of other goods and services linked to the project.
Ann Wanjiru of the Catholic Diocese of Isiolo said the partnership between the Church and the road project has proven effective in sensitizing communities on the dangers and consequences of GBV.
According to Marrium Huka, the economic empowerment gained by women through employment and business opportunities along the project route has contributed to a reduction in GBV. She observed that increased financial independence has made women more resourceful, reducing overreliance on male household members.
Gillo Adan, a health practitioner officer at Garbatula hospital, highlighted the establishment of a gender desk by catholic diocese of Isiolo, at Garbatulla Sub-County Hospital as a key milestone, noting that continued community sensitization will further strengthen efforts to curb GBV.
He identified rape, sexual assault, physical violence, denial of resources and opportunities, and psychological abuse as some of the prevalent GBV cases in the area, expressing hope that ongoing interventions will lead to a decline in such incidents
