Gender-Based Violence
Every girl deserves to be safe at home.
Violence and teenage pregnancy are closely linked: many adolescent pregnancies begin with coercion, and violence at home makes it harder for a young mother to stay in school or in care.
- of Kenyan women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence since age 15KDHS 2022
- 34%
- of ever-partnered women have experienced violence from an intimate partnerKDHS 2022
- 41%
The challenge
For many of the girls we meet, pregnancy followed coercion, exploitation by an older man, or an exchange of sex for money, food or school fees. After the pregnancy, some face violence at home from relatives who feel shamed.
Violence also undermines health care. A girl in an abusive relationship is less able to insist on testing, to disclose her HIV status, or to take treatment openly.
How GPAK responds
Each girl’s needs assessment covers her safety, and girls facing violence or abuse get crisis support and safe referral.
Psychosocial supportParenting and caregiver sessions informed by the Sinovuyo approach reduce harsh treatment at home and rebuild family support.
Family strengtheningLivelihood training reduces the dependence that keeps girls in exploitative relationships.
LivelihoodsHelp a young mother through all of it
These challenges arrive together in a girl’s life, so our support does too.