Kenya Adopts CSW70 Resolutions in Renewed Push Against Gender-Based Violence

By Issa Hussein - Reporter

Kenya, 30 May 2026 - Kenya has adopted the agreed conclusions of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), committing to a comprehensive national strategy aimed at improving access to justice for women and girls and tackling the growing challenge of gender-based violence (GBV).

The commitment was made during a national post-CSW70 stakeholders' forum in Nairobi, where the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services and the Judiciary outlined measures to address barriers that continue to hinder women and girls from obtaining justice.

A communiqué jointly signed by Chief Justice Martha Koome and Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo described access to justice as "a national development priority, a human rights imperative and a foundation for peace, inclusion and shared prosperity."

Ms Cheptumo said the Government remains committed to eliminating violence against women and girls through coordinated action involving all sectors of society.

“Ending violence against women and girls requires united action from all sectors of society and a shared national commitment to protect survivors, challenge harmful norms and ensure perpetrators are held accountable,” she said.

The forum adopted a five-pillar framework focusing on prevention, protection, accountability, healing and empowerment.

Under the prevention pillar, the Government plans to strengthen community engagement programmes aimed at transforming harmful social norms and promoting respect and dignity. Protection efforts will involve enhanced collaboration among national and grassroots institutions, while accountability measures will seek to improve the justice system through survivor-centred approaches.

Chief Justice Koome said the Judiciary has established 13 Gender Justice Courts across the country to fast-track GBV-related cases and improve support for survivors.

“I reaffirm the Judiciary’s unwavering commitment to ensuring survivors access justice with dignity, protection and without fear through specialised Gender Justice Courts, strengthened coordination within the justice sector and survivor-centred approaches,” she said.

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The Chief Justice warned that rising cases of violence against women and girls require urgent and coordinated interventions.

She called for increased investment in prevention programmes, economic empowerment of women, stronger community protection systems, expansion of safe houses and shelters, and improved medical and forensic services to support investigations and prosecutions.

“We must ensure our laws and institutions adapt to emerging forms of technologically facilitated gender-based violence and online abuse,” she said.

The forum also adopted eight priority action areas aligned with CSW70 resolutions. They include legal reforms to eliminate discriminatory laws, strengthening survivor-centred justice institutions, expanding legal aid services, combating technology-facilitated violence, promoting women’s leadership in governance and investing in shelters, safe houses and forensic services.

The Government further pledged to increase support for women's entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, education, land and inheritance rights, decent work opportunities and leadership participation.

Implementation of the commitments will be guided by a national action plan that will be subjected to periodic reviews to assess progress.

The Commission on the Status of Women is the United Nations' principal global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. Its annual sessions bring together governments and stakeholders to assess progress and agree on measures to advance women's rights worldwide.