Women, children and vulnerable families are set to benefit from a raft of new policy and legal reforms after the Cabinet approved measures aimed at strengthening protection against gender based violence (GBV), improving child protection and enhancing support for survivors.
Among the decisions approved during the Cabinet meeting on June 30 are the Kenya Children Policy, 2025, the Protection Against Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the adoption of the Report of the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
Together, the reforms are expected to strengthen Kenya’s legal and institutional response to violence while improving coordination among agencies responsible for protecting vulnerable populations.
The approvals come against the backdrop of growing national concern over gender based violence, femicide and violence against children.
The Presidential Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide reported that about 34% of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, while 13% have experienced sexual violence during their lifetime, highlighting the urgent need for stronger prevention, protection and survivor support systems.
The Cabinet’s endorsement follows months of national consultations by the Presidential Technical Working Group, which examined gaps in Kenya’s legal, policy and institutional response to gender based violence and femicide.
Its recommendations seek to strengthen prevention, improve survivor centred services, enhance institutional accountability and foster better coordination among agencies responsible for responding to violence.
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), which participated in the work of the Presidential Technical Working Group, described the Cabinet decisions as an important milestone in strengthening constitutional protections for women, children and vulnerable families.
NGEC Chairperson Hon. Rehema Jaldesa said the reforms provide an opportunity to move beyond policy commitments and strengthen protection for those most at risk.
The Commission further called for stronger prevention measures, survivor centered responses, improved accountability, enhanced institutional coordination and greater involvement of communities, including men and boys, in preventing gender based violence.
If effectively implemented, the reforms could improve access to justice, strengthen referral pathways for survivors, reinforce child protection systems and ensure more coordinated action between national and county governments in responding to violence against women and children.
