[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1134, 287], "category": "Text", "text": "Kenya has committed to ending all forms of GBV and FGM by 2026. This has translated into enacting laws and the establishment of the Anti-FGM Board, whose mandate includes designing, supervising and coordination of all programmes aimed at FGM eradication. However, its prevalence, nature and severity have been found to not only be associated with traditions but also income levels, level of education and information, lack of implementation of policies, and place of residence."}, {"bbox": [97, 298, 1134, 670], "category": "Text", "text": "This prompts the need for multisectoral and specific holistic approaches that do not result in cultural clashes. Kenya's political commitment and credible policies and institutions are conducive to impactful and sustainable change towards full eradication despite the lack of funding. In order to maximize the level of funding available and raise the EU's political profile, the action follows a Team Europe approach, by complementing the work of EU Member States (MS) nationwide and in specific counties. The action will in particular build on the gains made by the ongoing Finland bilateral programme on GBV, especially on strengthening case management and referral pathways. It will also leverage on the gains made from the Danish initiatives on strengthening shelter support for SGBV survivors in Kenya. It will also complement in terms of geographic focus, other actions currently implemented by EU MS, notably Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Ireland. It will also complement actions already ongoing in Kenya under the Spotlight Africa regional programme jointly implemented by UNFPA and UNICEF. It will be closely coordinated with other EU-funded programmes, notably PLEAD 2, in relation to its focus on improved judicial responses to SGBV and survivors' access to justice, and the two civil society grants contracted under the 2022 Call for Proposals, addressing both SGBV and civil society action against FGM in Western Kenya."}, {"bbox": [97, 681, 1134, 788], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will build on and expand partnerships to address harmful practices in collaboration with the Government, civil society, women and youth-led groups, the media, traditional and religious leaders and other key influencers. It will also contribute to strengthening the partnerships between the EU and Kenya in the global fight against SGBV."}, {"bbox": [97, 799, 1134, 881], "category": "Text", "text": "The action is guided by the Gender Action Plan II⁴I and its Country-level implementation plan (CLIP⁵) for Kenya, focusing directly on its first objective, i.e. ensuring freedom from all forms of gender-based violence and promoting universal access to sexual reproductive health and rights."}, {"bbox": [85, 960, 323, 992], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [85, 1026, 235, 1053], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [97, 1072, 1134, 1178], "category": "Text", "text": "Kenya is co-leading the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Action Coalition alongside the EU as one of the partners. Placing itself as a global leader in the combat against GBV, Kenya has committed to ending all forms of GBV and FGM by 2026, a commitment which was recently reaffirmed by the newly elected President Ruto to eradicate FGM by the end of his tenure."}, {"bbox": [97, 1190, 1134, 1351], "category": "Text", "text": "Kenya has ratified numerous international and regional legal instruments, enacted the Prohibition of FGM Act of 2011 and other laws that contain provisions that address FGM including the Children's Act, 2022 and Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, 2015. The National Policy for the Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation and the National Policy on Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence 2019 prohibits the practice of FGM and safeguards against violation of a person's mental or physical integrity through the practice of FGM. This protection is also enshrined within the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of Kenya."}, {"bbox": [97, 1361, 1134, 1495], "category": "Text", "text": "The Prohibition of FGM Act 2011 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that defines and criminalizes FGM and other associated offences and prescribes the sanctions for those offences. The Act establishes the Anti-FGM Board, which aims to offer policy leadership and programmatic coordination of the campaign in Kenya. Combined with the political leadership given by the previous and current presidents, the impetus exists in Kenya for multi-stakeholder strategies and roadmaps for addressing FGM, with the Anti-FGM Board leading the initiative."}, {"bbox": [85, 1549, 1134, 1622], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwilscT6osqAAxU G2qQKHfCuCrQQFnoECBsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fec.europa.eu%2Fcommission%2Fpresscorner%2Fdetail%2Fen%2 FIP_20_2184&usg=AOvVaw1i1HhScbNYmXYyhcucElQ5&opi=89978449"}, {"bbox": [85, 1622, 575, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kenya_en?s=352"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 22"}]