Coordinated Action to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Ahead of Kenya’s Elections

Development Partners on Gender group (DPGG) was established in Kenya to support Development Partners’ efforts to improve and promote gender equality and women´s empowerment in the country. The DPGG also acts as the key forum for strategic dialogue, shared learning and donor collaboration to enhance international and local support of gender equality activities. The group is composed of all bilateral development partners, multilateral development partners, foundations, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and private sector active in supporting/working on gender equality and women’s empowerment in Kenya. 

The Development Partners Gender Group (DPGG) convened on 5th February 2026, to advance coordinated action to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including election-related GBV, in Kenya. The meeting brought together UN agencies, development partners, government institutions, and private sector actors at a critical moment as the country prepares for upcoming elections.

As Secretariat to the DPGG, UN Women Kenya continues to work closely with partners to drive collective commitments and accountability on gender equality and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Opening the discussions, Antonia Sodonon, Country Representative, UN Women Kenya, underscored the urgency of moving beyond commitments: “Ending violence against women and girls requires coordinated action, sustained investment, and accountability especially in high-risk moments like elections. We must move from commitments to impact.”

Participants emphasized that election-related violence remains a persistent barrier to women’s rights, leadership, and participation in public life. Anne Wang’ombe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, stressed the importance of early action: “This meeting is timely. We must roll up our sleeves now and put preventive measures in place ahead of the elections. Election-related violence continues to keep women’s rights at bay.”

As discussions progressed, partners highlighted the need for innovation and evidence-based approaches to prevention. Valeria Buoninfante, Deputy Head of Office, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Nairobi, noted the growing role of technology: “As we prepare for upcoming elections, we must leverage data, social media, and AI responsibly to identify GBV risk hotspots and prevent violence. Kenya needs a coordinated national response on GBV and femicide, rooted in prevention, protection, and justice.”

Across interventions, there was strong consensus that a national, coordinated response to GBV and femicide is critical. Key priorities identified included integrated survivor support pathways, expanded and adequately resourced shelters, and strengthened justice and policing systems that are responsive, survivor-centred, and accountable.

Government leadership was highlighted as central to success. Partners called for the integration of election-related GBV preparedness into national planning, better coordination of funding, and the strengthening of accountability mechanisms to ensure commitments translate into tangible protection for women and girls.

Anna Wang’ombe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, emphasized the urgency of early and coordinated action to prevent election-related violence, particularly against women and girls. She noted that while elections may appear distant, “experience has shown us that election-related violence, especially that affecting women and girls, begins to manifest long before the actual polling period.” She stressed that preventive, deliberative, and collaborative action must start now, adding, “This meeting is very timely. We must roll up our sleeves early and take collective action for the sake of women, girls, and the entire country.”

The PS reaffirmed strong government leadership and called for deeper collaboration with development partners to advance women’s political participation and safety. She highlighted ongoing engagements with key institutions, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, to ensure a violence-free and inclusive electoral environment.

 “Persistent barriers such as patriarchal norms, financial constraints, and exclusion within party politics continue to deny women their constitutional rights,” she said, calling for joint investment to support women candidates. She further urged partners to move from plans to action, stating, “Blueprints on paper save no lives. What is required is full implementation, dedicated resources, and partnership.” Emphasizing national commitment, she added that the President remains fully engaged and has called on government, development partners, and the private sector to work together to address GBV and femicide as a shared societal responsibility.

As Kenya moves closer to the election period, the Development Partners Gender Group reaffirmed its commitment to coordinated, preventive action, working together to safeguard women’s rights and ensure safe, inclusive civic and political spaces.