Gender Based Violence service provision in Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya in the Context of Covid-19

The UNICEF-funded project (Expanding access to child protection and mental health services for children in refugee and hosting communities in Dadaab, Garissa County) being implemented by Save the Children continues to prioritize a gender-responsive approach throughout its implementation by ensuring girls, women participate, and their needs are addressed by the project. Particularly marginalized groups such as adolescent mothers are deliberately targeted and supported.

Through the project, Save the Children continues to work with boys and girls, men and women to ensure social behavior change and gender transformation. Teenage mothers and foster mothers are supported and empowered through self-reliance interventions to ensure their vulnerability is reduced and they live in a safe and protective environment.

The assessment identified gaps in service provision on Gender Based Violence (GBV) mitigation, prevention, referral, and response in Dadaab and particularly the surrounding host communities. This has further worsened by the Covid -19 pandemic that has led to the rise in the case of GBV abuse.