In February of 2010 a neighbor sexually assaulted the youngest student at The Kibera School for Girls. That night her father stayed up waiting for the school to open the next morning. He knew that if he could just tell someone at school we would be able to advocate for his child in a way that he wasn’t able to. In the midst of this darkness, the school was a beacon of hope for him and for his family, as we helped his daughter to get the treatment that she deserved. Ultimately, with the help of the school, her father was able to bring his daughter’s assailant to justice. However, the process was excruciating and convoluted. Every day for three weeks he went to the police station asking them to please arrest the offender. The offender never even attempted to run away—as he knew what many know—justice is an expensive and elaborate process out of reach for most people. Such crimes almost always go unpunished because even when victims want to report the bureaucratic hurdles posed by both the hospital and the police are nearly impossible to navigate. It is as if the system is designed to make people give up along the way. After finishing this process, this father was determined to help others in his community, just as The Kibera School for Girls had assisted him. Out of this, The SHOFCO Gender Development Committee was formed.
The SHOFCO Gender Development Committee is Kibera’s first community-led rape response and prevention network. The committee helps residents to report instances of abuse, and helps victims to seek justice, and receive psychological support. The committee is comprised of diverse stakeholders— respected men and women from the community who collectively believe that they should not have to worry about their children being raped, and that gender inequity prevents progress for everyone. The committee also leads extensive community-wide awareness and outreach, providing a safe place for victims to seek refuge and cultivating a community ethos that respects women as valuable members of society.
