In a significant step towards combating gender-based violence (GBV), Mathare Police Station in Nairobi officially set up and operationalized a gender and children office. Between April and June 2025, the gender desk marked a notable shift in how GBV cases are addressed at the community level in Mathare, evidenced by a 20% increase in the number of cases reported at the station.
During the re-establishment of the gender desk and children’s office, the station received office equipment, furniture, fixtures, and structures that enabled the setup of a specialized space for addressing GBV. “During a community forum we held in Mlango Kubwa together with local leaders and stakeholders, community members raised concerns about Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). They shared that survivors are often discouraged from seeking justice due to community pressure to settle cases informally, fostering a culture of silence. The community called for the establishment of a dedicated gender desk at the police station, citing a lack of trust in some police officers to handle such cases sensitively,” said Inspector Halahke.
The facility provides a safe place for survivors who report violence to stay for a while, unlike before, when a survivor was made to go back and stay with the perpetrator after reporting. The gender desk guarantees survivors’ rights to privacy, protection, and dignity, and ensures a swift response to GBV cases when reported. Additionally, the facility has a cell that holds children in conflict with the law, such that they are not held together with adults, unlike before, when the station did not have a separate cell for children.
The setting up and operationalization of the gender desk at the police station signals an institutional shift towards survivor-centered policing, the goal being to improve reporting of GBV cases, reduce stigma, and uphold survivors’ rights to protection and dignity. The gender desk is expected to enhance police responses to GBV, therefore fostering greater public trust within the community and encouraging more survivors to come forward to report.
This development was initiated by a group of Place-Based Leadership Development leaders under the guidance of a police officer in charge of crime investigation at the station, Inspector Francisca Halahke. The community leaders, drawn from diverse sectors in Nairobi, identified the urgent need to address GBV and improve access to services among survivors at the police station and developed an action plan to guide the initiative.
The group proactively reached out to local partners seeking support in establishing a dedicated unit for survivors of violence. One of the partners that supported the group was the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya), which responded positively, donating furniture, while CFK Africa donated a fabricated container that serves as the Gender and Children Office.
“PBLD has been a transformative experience, equipping me with essential tools to excel and drive positive change in my organization. By prioritizing key competences like self-motivation, effective communication, learning agility, and adaptability, I’m now better positioned to inspire others and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve taken away from this program is its emphasis on the significance of doing the right things and aligning actions with organizational goals. This has empowered me to make a meaningful impact within my institution and society at large,” Halahke said.
