Anglicans in Kenya donate sanitation and hygiene supplies to survivors of sexual violence

Anglicans in Kenya recently donated sanitary and hygiene supplies to the gender desks of the police services for survivors of sexual violence.

The Anglican Church of Kenya’s social development service, Anglican Development Service (Western Region), recently donated health and hygiene supplies to survivors of sexual violence. They donated the products to the Kenya Police Service Gender Offices in Kakamega County.

They did so in partnership with USAID Kenya as part of the “MWENDO” project (Making Well-Informed Efforts to Nurture Disadvantaged Orphans and Vulnerable Children).

According to Voice of America, Kenya has seen an increase in cases of sexual abuse during the pandemic. Kenya’s health ministry said last year it received reports of at least 5,000 cases of sexual violence across the country, 65% of which involved girls under the age of 18.

“It’s so encouraging to hear about the church’s work in Kenya in showing God’s love and responding in a practical way,” said Mandy Marshall, Project Director for Gender Justice in the Anglican Communion. . “The poverty of the times is a major problem that can prevent adolescent girls in particular from skipping school and missing a vital education. Not having access to hygienic, clean and hygienic protection can lead to infections, pain and embarrassment. Providing health products to women and girls in this way restores dignity and enables girls to continue their education.

“I encourage all churches to see how they can do the same in their parishes by demonstrating the practical love of God.

“I especially salute the church’s compassionate insight in providing health protection to survivors of sexual violence in police stations. In the midst of an incredibly traumatic situation, the church provides practical love at the point of need.

The Anglican Western Region Development Service was formed by the Anglican Church of Kenya in 1997. It is the development arm of six dioceses: Bungoma, Butere, Katakwa, Maseno North, Mumias and Nambale. It operates in five thematic areas: adaptation to climate change and resilience; food and nutrition security; universal health care and social protection; organizational development; and advocacy and governance.