On March 14th, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, Women’s Link joined our partners, CFK Africa and Pro Local Hub for the forum titled From Commitment to Accountability: Advancing Women’s Rights through Law, Power, and Collective Action. The event brought together educators, legal experts, civil society members, families, and community advocates to address a pressing issue: school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV).
SRGBV directly undermines fundamental rights like dignity, equality, access to education, and freedom from violence. In many schools, power imbalances, institutional gaps, and social norms still allow abuse to go unchecked, while survivors remain silenced. The forum offered a space to confront these realities, share experiences, and explore practical strategies for prevention, safe reporting, and survivor–centered responses.
A key focus of the discussions was centering girls’ voices in both prevention and accountability efforts. Participants emphasized that any meaningful solution must start with listening to the students themselves and ensuring they have safe spaces to share their experiences, influence policies, and shape the systems meant to protect them.
Participants highlighted several ongoing challenges. These included: limited awareness of reporting channels, lack of involvement of parents and guardians in safeguarding, stigma that discourages survivors from speaking out, and inconsistent coordination between schools and communities. These gaps make it harder for children to feel safe and for accountability mechanisms to function effectively.
“Justice means having safe and supportive systems that ensure I can meet all my basic needs and I’m never forced to exchange my body for basic needs like shelter. I think those who exploit children in moments of need must be held accountable,” stated Neema, one of the participants at the event.
“Justice means safety within my home and accountability for perpetrators. It is about being believed, protected, and supported, and ensuring that schools are spaces of care rather than harm,” added Rukia*, another participant at the event.
Read the full article on Women’s Link Worldwide.
