Over the years Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Programme (BHESP) has joined several other Civil society organizations and activists in these significant days, under scoring that violence against women is a violation of human rights. According to UN Women, 1 in 3 women experience GBV during their life time, less than 40% of women seek help of any sort after experiencing GBV. BHESP data base reports have indicated an increase of violence cases from 2020 owing to COVID pandemic, economic instability and the climatic change crisis. This year BHESP community of activists have run sensitization sessions for marginalized women (Sex workers, sexual minority women & young girls) on Violence prevention and response as well as standing with survivors of GBV, and offering support services. As strategy BHESP has also   built a network of activist who have amplified survivors’ voice in government spaces and stakeholder forums like   the Court user’s committee to help   bridge the gap between law and practice.  Furthermore, BHESP has not loosened its belt in following up and evaluating the implementation of laws addressing prevention and response of GBV. For this, we have worked closely with the police, judiciary and other first line of defense for victims of GBV.

 BHESP campaign efforts during 16 days of activism against GBV has received mixed reaction from relevant stakeholder; with one hand recognizing &rewarding our efforts while the other backlashing human rights defenders/activist in the line of sex workers and sexual minorities women. The backlashing might be as a result of stigma and discrimination against the women we represent.

“We understand anti- feminist movement are on the rise, attacking women rights defenders left, right and center. Despite this, BHESP shall continue making the necessary noise to amplify voices of survivors of GBV. Violence against women and girls is not negotiable and we cannot be silenced and we will not be silenced. We are calling upon all activist and women rights defenders to Unite despite the challenges we face. Our women movement should be stronger now more than ever. We should   stop at nothing until we see tangible results in the fight against GBV” said Peninah Mwangi, Executive Director at BHESP.

Today as we mark the end of the 16 days’ campaigns, BHESP community of defender are at Naivasha for an annual retreat reflecting   on the strides made the whole year on  combating and responding to GBV  for the marginalized women ( sex workers , sexual minority women and adolescent girls) The activists have used the space to  come up with inclusive , comprehensive and long –term strategies and programs that will help in fast tracking prevention and elimination of violence against marginalized women and girls . The team also came up with a safety and security plan that will be used in the coming years.

“We have to stay alive and with no threat of life, the dead cannot speak! It is important that we elevate our voices - It is our calling … “Said Josephine Achieng, deputy director at BHESP.

“Friends, we have to address the root cause of GBV including recognition of GBV as a violation of human right. Let us all work together, not just during the 16 days of activism, but every day to end all forms of GBV. Happy International Human Rights day “, concluded Josephine Achieng during her opening remarks at the retreat.