By the NGOs.ke Editorial Team.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence run from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). For Kenyan NGOs the practical question is not whether to take part, but how to plan a campaign that survivors can actually use: a working referral path, a clear helpline, and a justice-focused ask. With about seven weeks to go as of October 2026, this is the window to plan, budget and partner.
Why does GBV need to be at the centre of NGO planning in Kenya this year?
Because the pressure on the sector is already high. In May 2026, FIDA Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Daystar Legal Aid Society and Usikimye gave the government a 40-day ultimatum over what they called a femicide crisis, as reported by The Standard. Amnesty International Kenya was cited as recording at least eight femicide cases a week, and women aged 18 to 35 were reported to make up 59 percent of cases nationally.
The coalition’s six demands are a useful checklist for any campaign: declare GBV and femicide a national crisis, publish a status report on Technical Working Group recommendations, operationalise a national GBV fund, build rapid response and survivor support systems, run a nationwide awareness campaign, and hold the National Police Service accountable in how it handles cases.
Prevalence data points the same way. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that over four in ten Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, with roughly a quarter of girls married early and about 20 percent undergoing FGM, according to figures carried by the Kenya News Agency.
Key facts at a glance
- Dates: 25 November to 10 December 2026.
- National GBV helpline: 1195. A WhatsApp reporting line, 0704 884 444, was also listed in recent coverage.
- Specialised GBV courts: reported to have grown from 1 to 13, per The Standard.
- Government focus areas named: prevention, survivor support, economic empowerment, financial literacy, digital inclusion, male engagement and women’s leadership.
- Partners to approach: county gender officers, legal aid providers, community health workers and local media.
What should a Kenyan NGO campaign actually include?
Most campaigns fail the same way: plenty of awareness, no pathway. A survivor who is moved by a radio talk show on 3 December needs a name, a number and a safe place on 4 December. Build the pathway first, then the publicity.
1. Map and test your referral pathway
List who handles medical care, police reporting, legal aid, safe shelter and counselling in your county, and call each one. Check opening hours and who answers. Put the verified list on a single page you can hand to field staff and volunteers.
2. Train staff before you speak publicly
Anyone who may receive a disclosure should know how to listen without judging, what not to ask, and when confidentiality has limits. Pair this with your safeguarding policy; our guide to safeguarding policy for NGOs in Kenya covers the basics.
3. Choose one justice-focused ask
Echo one of the coalition’s demands rather than scattering messages. Examples: publicise the 1195 helpline in your catchment area, push your county for a visible survivor support desk, or document how cases move (or stall) between police and court.
4. Engage men and boys deliberately
Kenya’s own response highlights male engagement. Small-group sessions with boda boda riders, sports clubs or church groups usually work better than a single large rally.
5. Plan for follow-up after 10 December
The campaign ends, the need does not. Decide now who will keep the referral list updated and who tracks the cases you touched, with consent.
Where does the funding come from?
Many small organisations run 16 Days activities from existing programme budgets or in-kind support. If you are looking for money, start with the options in Kenya’s NGOs after USAID: the 2026 funding reckoning, and consider asking a county gender office or a local business for venue and printing support. Be wary of any funder asking for survivor stories or photos as a condition of support.
How do you report responsibly?
Do not publish names, faces or identifiable details of survivors without informed, ongoing consent, and consider whether publishing helps them at all. Use stock or generic images for campaign materials. For girls and young people, see our notes in the International Day of the Girl 2026 guide.
UN Women coordinates the global UNiTE campaign behind the 16 Days; its 16 Days of Activism page carries the official campaign materials once the year’s theme is released. We have not confirmed the 2026 theme as of 7 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When are the 16 Days of Activism in 2026?
From 25 November to 10 December 2026.
What is Kenya’s GBV helpline number?
1195 is the national GBV helpline. Recent coverage also listed a WhatsApp reporting line, 0704 884 444. Verify both before printing them on materials.
Can a small CBO take part?
Yes. A tested referral list, one clear message and a local partnership count for more than a large event.
Should we collect survivor stories for the campaign?
Only with informed consent, and only if sharing serves the survivor. Never make it a condition of receiving services.
What is the best single action to take before 25 November?
Call every service in your referral list and confirm it works.
Sources: The Standard (20 May 2026, femicide ultimatum; Kenya’s expanded GBV response), Kenya News Agency (KDHS findings).
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