Gender issues and reproductive health rights are closely interrelated and jointly affect the productive and reproductive health of both women and men in Kenya. Reproductive rights are human rights and gender equity is enshrined in the constitution, but men still are the majority power holders in almost all aspects of everyday life, including women’s reproductive health, family planning and family size.
Kenyan culture and society still contain and accept several harmful practices that have very negative effects on women and their reproductive health rights. These practices include early or child marriages, female genital cutting or mutilation and nutritional taboos that affect the health of girls and women. Female genital cutting in particular contravenes several basic rights of women and girls, including the right to liberty and security of person and the right to be free from inhumane and degrading treatment. Some of the above practices contravene the provision of The Children Act No.8 of 2001 (Rev 2007) and The Sexual Offences Act No.3 of 2006 (Rev 2007), but they continue to be practiced in parts of the country.
Gender-based violence is increasingly widespread in Kenya, and includes physical and sexual abuse and violence, including rape. Such abuses are violations of the right to be free from inhumane and degrading treatment. They also have long-term negative health impacts, including severe psychological; emotional; and medical consequences, such as the increased risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
The Division of Reproductive Health
The DRH Gender and Reproductive Rights Programme works to empower women in decision making regarding their own reproductive health rights and the choices they make over their fertility. The concept of gender is a mainstreamed component of all reproductive health programmes and a central tenet of national health policies in Kenya. There is a special focus on women and girls, but DRH encourages the involvement of men in programme interventions as decision makers, partners and/or health service providers. It also provides male-friendly services that encourage men to accompany their female partners to health facilities and to seek out and use services themselves.
To promote gender equity and help eliminate harmful practices, DRH also works with a range of technical and implementing partners to increase access to quality treatment and rehabilitative reproductive health services for those affected by harmful practices and gender-based violence. These services include an effective referral system among public and private health facilities, the police and legal services. The capacity of institutions to provide high-quality treatment and rehabilitative reproductive health services for survivors of gender-based violence and harmful practices has also been comprehensively enhanced, including all post-rape care services.
At the community level, the national Gender and Reproductive Rights programme encourages households and communities to participate in addressing harmful practices and advocates for greater gender equity in reproductive health.
Key Policies, Strategies, Guidelines and Tools
To guide the provision of gender and reproductive rights services in Kenya, DRH, MOPHS and their partners have developed several policies, strategies, service provider guidelines and tools. Read more.