Project
The project is laying the groundwork for new learning and innovations to strengthen the delivery of quality support services to the people & locations with the greatest risk & vulnerability to gender-based violence.
Jointly funded by the Governments of Kenya and Finnish, this capacity development programme aimed to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms across three counties. Designed to improve services and coordination across multiple sectors, this NIRAS-implemented project supported transformational change – helping duty bearers to better serve the most vulnerable groups and communities at risk of GBV.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a serious challenge in Kenya, affecting individuals, families, and communities. It has far-reaching social, economic, and security impacts, with survivors often facing physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Deeply ingrained societal norms and gaps in legal enforcement contribute to its persistence, while the costs—ranging from healthcare expenses to lost productivity—place a strain on families and the economy.
Tackling GBV requires a comprehensive approach that strengthens institutions, improves support for survivors, and drives lasting cultural and social change.
Implemented through the Kenya State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action and county governments in the counties of Bungoma, Samburu and Kilifi, the project “Strengthening Prevention and Response to GBV” – or the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Programme on GBV Kenya worked across all levels of society, and sectors (police, health, education, social welfare, justice) to identify the root causes of GBV, and deliver services to reduce risk and vulnerability, and enable duty bearers to deliver survivor centred-care, thus supporting rights holders to claim their rights.
legal & moral duty bearers enrolled in certified trainings
participants attending learning activities
of sampled duty bearers reported increased capacity and confidence to support GBV prevention and response
“It is transformative because to me, personally, people are looking for me, seeking counselling services. So, I can say it’s transformative cause they have seen a change."
Respondent, Police Focus Group Discussion, Bungoma
This programme laid the groundwork for new learning and innovations to strengthen the delivery of quality support services to the people and locations with the greatest risk and vulnerability to GBV.
The Kenya-Finland Programme represents groundbreaking effort to rethink and transform how the frontline workforce handling GBV is supported. Traditional GBV programmes often focus on standalone activities such as workshops, awareness campaigns, or service provision. While valuable, these approaches rarely lead to long-term, systemic change. The Kenya-Finland Programme, headed by Team Leader , Michelle Ell, pioneered a new model of coordination, capacity-building, and accountability that strengthened existing structures rather than creating parallel systems.
The team also mobilised, inspired and supported collective leadership and complimentary efforts to address the root causes of GBV and empowered more champions (including women, girls, men and boys) for violence-free homes, schools and communities.
Key outcomes include:
In partnership with the County Gender Sector Working Groups (GSWGs) in Bungoma, Kilifi, and Samburu, this programme explored new ways to enhance capacity and coordination in addressing GBV. These counties were chosen for their high prevalence of GBV, unique local contexts, and the strong commitment of their leadership. By working in these diverse settings, the programme aimed to create locally adapted models for GBV prevention and response that could be replicated nationwide. The programme had a localised bottom-up approach that aimed to reach the most vulnerable communities with high risk of GBV.
Adopting a system-strengthening approach marks an important shift in GBV programming in Kenya. Under the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Programme, this effort focused on three key areas:
To enhance collaboration, the programme developed practical tools tailored to each county. These tools helped stakeholders better understand risk factors, enabling more effective planning and service delivery in high-need areas. Key tools included:
The programme’s learnings have been compiled into a practical guide, Adopting a Systems-Strengthening Approach to Improve Prevention and Response to GBV: Lessons from the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Programme (2025).
Nearly 6000 duty bearers (both legal and moral) completed certified training in key areas such as Level 5 Counselling, Alcohol & Substance Abuse (ADSA), Mediation, and Community Policing. This created a more skilled workforce committed to high standards of care and accountability.
Additionally, two evidence-based interventions significantly improved service delivery in high-priority wards:
By integrating survivors as service providers, promoting positive masculinity, and strengthening multi-sectoral coordination, the programme helped reshape community attitudes and behaviors, making violence prevention a shared responsibility rather than an institutional mandate.
Recognising that GBV is deeply rooted in social norms, the programme worked hand-in-hand with local leaders to shift harmful practices from within. The engagement of Elders and Councils of Leaders in Bungoma, Kilifi, and Samburu was unprecedented, leading to historic declarations against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
By fostering collaboration across different sectors and engaging both duty bearers and rights holders, the programme contributed to major policy advancements. Key achievements include:
This holistic approach helped reshape community attitudes and behaviors, making violence prevention a shared responsibility rather than an institutional mandate alone – laying the groundwork for more effective GBV prevention and response in Kenya.
The programme made significant strides in strengthening coordination, capacity building, and policy implementation to combat GBV in Kenya. (See preliminary findings from the forthcoming study on Transformational Change.)
To enhance coordination and leadership, the programme introduced county-specific risk calendars to track changes in GBV vulnerability and identify key prevention opportunities. A detailed risk analysis, from sub-county to ward level, was widely adopted by the GSWGs to target services where they were needed most. Additionally, the creation of ward-level service directories improved information sharing and referrals across sectors, ensuring a more integrated prevention and response system.
In capacity building, 5,906 individuals completed certified training in counselling, mediation, alcohol and substance abuse interventions, and community policing. More than 10,994 participants engaged in learning activities, while 348 individuals benefited from cross-county and cross-sector exchange programmes. The programme also reached 450 marginalised groups, including networks for GBV survivors, persons with disabilities, and community support groups, through tailored trainings, exchange visits, and dialogues. These efforts led to profound impact: 80% of duty bearers reported significant or transformational changes in their professional and personal conduct, and 94% felt more capable and confident in supporting GBV prevention and response. Over 4,060 individuals accessed GBV prevention and response services, with notable improvements in the availability of counselling, directly linked to the Kenya-Finland Programme’s certified training efforts. A survey in February 2024 revealed that 89% of respondents noted improvements in service quality. Furthermore, 259 facilitators were trained to lead positive parenting and male engagement sessions, while 1,310 champions were identified and supported to drive community change.
On the policy front, the programme supported the distribution of over 30,000 policy and guideline documents, while also contributing to the development of 13 draft policies across different counties. Active engagement in governance structures was evident, with 1,662 participants attending GSWG and GBV Technical Working Group meetings. Importantly, the programme fostered partnerships with cultural leaders, resulting in groundbreaking commitments: the Sabaot Council of Elders issued a declaration against FGM and child marriage, while the Post-Kisima Declaration Roadmap in Samburu further reinforced community-driven action against harmful practices. These declarations have been instrumental in raising awareness and securing long-term commitments to end GBV.
Through a holistic, system-strengthening approach, the programme has laid a strong foundation for sustainable GBV prevention and response, equipping communities with the tools, knowledge, and policies to drive lasting change.
"We celebrate a full cycle of optimism and hope in the unprecedented GBV management system in Kenya ... I commend the steering committee and the chief technical advisor for their leadership and expertise in the programme. The programme management team are the faces behind the successful implementation of the programme. They devoted their knowledge and expertise in conceptualising and modelling up the pieces of the programme into a successful and composite whole that we celebrate today."
Janepher Mbatiany, Deputy Governor from Bungoma County at the programme's closing conference
The Kenya-Finland Programme was a bold investment in sustainable change, proving that a well-coordinated, survivor-centred, and system-driven approach can drive meaningful impact. As the programme’s insights and methodologies continue to inform new strategies in Kenya and beyond, its legacy serves as a blueprint for a world where gender-based violence is not just reduced, but prevented altogether.
"Within this programme, there was a deliberate expectation that the solutions we developed could be applied in other locations," explains Michelle Ell, Chief Technical Advisor. By proving that systemic change in GBV prevention is possible, this initiative is not just a success story for Kenya but a global model for action.
With the right investments, expertise, and commitment, a future free from violence is not just a vision—it’s a reality within reach.
