Stigma hampering fight against GBV in flower farms

Workers in flower farms have been urged to report cases of gender-based violence.

Nancy Baraza, the chairperson of the Technical Working Group on Gender Based Violence including Femicide, said reports indicate a high prevalence of GBV in flower farms.

She expressed concerns that many of the cases go unreported, making it impossible for the authorities to bring the culprits to book and stem the incidents.

Women make up about 70 per cent of the workforce in the flower farms and often report power imbalances, job insecurity and limited reporting avenues, making them vulnerable to exploitation amid the high levels of joblessness in the country.

Kenyan flower farms are some of the largest globally, estimated to contribute around one per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Research conducted in 2022 indicated that female floriculture workers experience high rates of sexual harassment and other forms of workplace violence.

"Sexual violence is deeply rooted in power imbalances between parties involved and can impact victims' ability to resist or expressly indicate that the conduct is unwelcome".

Such power imbalances can threaten victims into silence, resulting in incidents going unreported.

Baraza, who spoke in Nanyuki town during a GBV awareness forum organized in partnership with the Agriculture Employers Association, underscored the need for culprits to be prosecuted to set a precedent.

She said that culture is one of the main contributors to GBV and femicide, and that stern action needs to be taken to reduce the incidents.

The team established by President William Ruto to look into the high cases of GBV is going round the country creating awareness and getting public views.

"We are looking at institutional structures, legal and policy frameworks, and identifying gaps in the way GBV issues are being handled," Baraza said.

"We want to find out, has something gone wrong? We're also looking at the family structure and whether it's working. As we go round, we have noticed that culture is a prominent issue".

Agriculture Employers Association chairperson Kirimi Mpungu said there's a need to establish a reporting mechanism that allows workers to freely report GBV cases.

"Workers need to be assured that their information will remain confidential and that it will lead to action being taken against the perpetrators," he said 

He said many victims don't have the confidence to report such cases due to fear of victimisation and that creation of awareness will encourage them to come forward.