New approach needed to fight against GBV

Maraga however decried that boys have been victims of the criminal justice system in relation to enforcement of defilement laws, when the offence is between two consenting adolescents.

"This is an issue that must be subjected to public discussion in an open and honest manner," he said.

Stefano-Antonio Dejak, the EU Ambassador to Kenya said police should ensure that appropriate protection is given to women in order to be able to report GBV. Additionally, the judiciary should sanction any instance of GBV on a way that will strongly discourage anybody to think of doing it.

Above all, Dejak said there is need for a cultural transformation across the globe, by creating an awareness that women advancement does not come at the loss for men, but at an advantage because it is the only way societies can be developed.

Zita Hernandez, judge and trainer at the Judicial School of the Spanish said governments should dedicate more finances, defenses and more help to the victims to feel safe in order to report whatever they are going through.

Hernandez said security forces should be trained to clearly understand the realities while the judiciary workers should be easily approachable and sensitive.

"The real solution to GBV and discrimination is education. We need to educate the new generation on equality, that men and women are equal and have same opportunities," he said.

Roselyn Nambuye, a Kenyan judge, said both men and women should be empowered to ensure both are engaged in income generating activities.

"While women understand their rights, they are not empowered hence they fully depend on their husbands for provision. Tempers run high when a man is unable to provide enough for his family," he said.

Nambuye said the society should also change its attitude towards their neighbors, noting that most of the times, neighbors don't bother when they hear their neighboring couples fighting at night.

Hannah Okwengu, chairperson of Kenya Women Judges Association decried that people no longer place value on working hard and getting honest earnings.

"Today, values have been inverted. It's just about having money without concerns on how the money was earned. Many young people have lost focus due to the inverted values," she said.

Okwengu said parents are very strict on girls when they are in primary and secondary schools but when they join universities, they get a lot of freedom and nobody guides them morally. This, ends up affecting them negatively.

"To deal with that problem, there is need for a program, where judges for instance can visit higher learning institutions for a discussion with the learners on how to identify their issues and help them to change their values," she said.