The Federation of Women Lawyers–Kenya (FIDA Kenya) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), rape, and defilement following the launch of the Kondele Social Justice Centre and Manyatta ‘B’ Social Justice Centre in Kisumu County.
The new centres, established with support from the International Justice Mission (IJM), are expected to provide safe, accessible, and community-based spaces where survivors and vulnerable individuals can report injustices, seek legal support, and access psychosocial services.
The launch brought together key stakeholders from Kenya’s justice and human rights sectors, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the National Police Service, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), religious leaders, community justice advocates, and civil society organisations.
During the launch, FIDA Kenya pledged to provide free legal representation and psychosocial support to survivors of GBV and other forms of violence affecting women and children in the community.
The organisation emphasised the need to strengthen access to justice for survivors, particularly in underserved communities where cases of violence, abuse, and exploitation remain prevalent.
FIDA Kenya noted that safe reporting spaces are critical in helping survivors seek justice without fear, stigma, or intimidation.
FIDA Kenya’s Role in Advancing Women’s Rights in Kenya
Established in 1985, FIDA Kenya is one of the country’s leading women’s rights organisations focused on promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women and children.
The non-profit membership organisation provides free legal aid, mediation services, legal representation, and advocacy support to vulnerable women and children across Kenya.
Over the past 37 years, FIDA Kenya says it has provided free legal aid services to more than 3 million women and children.
The organisation currently operates in all 47 counties through partnerships with:
Community organizations
Pro bono lawyers
Counsellors and mediators
Government agencies
Human rights advocates
FIDA Kenya has offices in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, supported by a network of more than 1,400 women advocates, lawyers, and law students.
Key Services Offered by FIDA Kenya
FIDA Kenya offers several support services aimed at improving access to justice and protecting women’s rights.
These include:
Free Legal Aid and Representation
The organisation provides legal advice, court representation, and self-representation training for women facing issues related to:
Child custody
Property and inheritance disputes
Land rights
Labour and employment disputes
GBV-related cases
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Through its mediation programmes, FIDA Kenya helps families resolve disputes outside court in order to improve access to justice and reduce legal barriers.
Psychosocial Support for Survivors
The organisation also offers counselling and emotional support services for survivors of Gender-Based Violence and abuse.
Advocacy Against GBV and Harmful Practices
FIDA Kenya continues to advocate for stronger laws and policies protecting women and girls from violence and discrimination.
Key advocacy areas include:
Ending intimate partner violence
Fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Promoting women’s leadership and political participation
Advancing women’s economic empowerment
Supporting legal and policy reforms on gender equality
The organisation has also partnered with community leaders, government agencies, and international organisations to strengthen justice systems and improve protection mechanisms for survivors.
Expanding Community Access to Justice
Stakeholders at the Kisumu launch emphasised that community-based justice centres play a critical role in improving access to legal and psychosocial support services.
The centres are expected to:
Encourage survivors to report abuse
Strengthen community awareness of justice rights
Improve referrals for survivors
Provide safer reporting pathways
Support accountability in GBV cases
Advocates noted that many survivors still face barriers such as stigma, fear, poverty, and lack of legal information when seeking justice.
The launch of the Kondele and Manyatta ‘B’ Social Justice Centres marks another step toward strengthening access to justice and survivor support services in Kisumu County.
As cases of Gender-Based Violence continue to affect many communities, stakeholders say collaboration between justice institutions, community organisations, and advocacy groups remains critical in protecting women’s rights and supporting survivors.
FIDA Kenya continues to position itself as a leading advocate for gender justice, legal empowerment, and the protection of women and children across the country.
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