UK's Marriott celebrates Women's Day with GBV survivors in Coast

The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, met with Gender-Based Violence survivors to celebrate International Women’s Day with them.

Marriott visited projects supported by the UK which are promoting gender equality in the region and across Kenya. 

She said that meeting various groups of women who have chosen to challenge the status quo by speaking up against violence and promoting peace in their communities was a privilege.

“The UK is honoured to support and recognise inspirational women like Sadia Hussein, who has campaigned tirelessly against FGM, or Dorothy Mutuku, for her amazing work promoting intercommunal relations with the police," British High Commissioner to Kenya said.

She added, "We recognise and congratulate these wonderful women on International Women’s Day, a chance to celebrate those women who deserve our recognition and gratitude all year round."

Today marked the second day of her visit to the Coastal region and she is set to learn more regarding the efforts to improve police-community relations. 

The REINVENT programme, at Kijipwa police station, in Kilifi County supports such relations. 

Marriott is to meet the station’s OCS, Victoria Mutuku and hear about the impact of women’s leadership. 

Some community members from Chasimba ward

will also tell her  how collaboration with the police has helped minimise crime in the area. 

The British High Commissioner to Kenya will also participate in a training on stress and trauma management for criminal justice institutions that work with violent extremists and terrorist offenders.

The Malindi Social Justice Centre will also be launched during her visit. 

The aim of the centre is to sensitise the public on human rights thereby enabling them to be confident when speaking openly on any violations and interact with the justice system.

The UK company Globaleq is developing the project with a financial backing of 4.3 billion of UK Government investment via CDC.