Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kenya disproportionately affects women, resulting in severe socio-economic repercussions. This study examines the hidden economic costs of SGBV and emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions. The impacts include lost work, decreased quality of li...

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Main Authors: Grace Wamue-ngare, Pacificah Okemwa, Isaac Kimunio, Okumba Miruka, Grace Okong'o, Pauline Kamau, Lucy Maina, Jane Njuguna, Lilian Kiruja, Simon Okoth
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259029112500066X
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author Grace Wamue-ngare
Pacificah Okemwa
Isaac Kimunio
Okumba Miruka
Grace Okong'o
Pauline Kamau
Lucy Maina
Jane Njuguna
Lilian Kiruja
Simon Okoth
author_facet Grace Wamue-ngare
Pacificah Okemwa
Isaac Kimunio
Okumba Miruka
Grace Okong'o
Pauline Kamau
Lucy Maina
Jane Njuguna
Lilian Kiruja
Simon Okoth
author_sort Grace Wamue-ngare
collection DOAJ
description Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kenya disproportionately affects women, resulting in severe socio-economic repercussions. This study examines the hidden economic costs of SGBV and emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions. The impacts include lost work, decreased quality of life, disrupted education, increased health-related costs, and family instability. Current research has focused mainly on direct service costs, neglecting indirect and long-term costs. This study addresses this gap by evaluating both direct and indirect costs among 32 survivors from Nairobi County who underwent recovery programs. Findings indicate an average loss of 67,500 KES (675 USD) due to seeking help, lost workdays, children's missed schooling, and domestic work hours. It underscores the necessity for expanded policies to address the extensive economic repercussions of SGBV in Kenya. The study sites include the Nairobi Women's Hospital Gender Recovery Centre (NWH GVRC), Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), Talia Agler Girls Shelter (TAGS) and Women's Empowerment Link (WEL). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and key informant interviews with program managers. Qualitative data focused on GBV experiences, risks, coping, and health impacts, while quantitative data covered direct (medical, legal, counselling, shelter, transport) and indirect costs (Lost Work Days, Lost Domestic Work), analysed using accounting methodologies.
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spelling doaj-art-1d0b408beb664a8a951bd9d74edcae112025-08-20T03:23:02ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011110133910.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101339Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, KenyaGrace Wamue-ngare0Pacificah Okemwa1Isaac Kimunio2Okumba Miruka3Grace Okong'o4Pauline Kamau5Lucy Maina6Jane Njuguna7Lilian Kiruja8Simon Okoth9Department of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Applied Economics, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Corresponding author. Kenyatta University, Kenya.Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Community Development, South Eastern Kenya University, 170-90200, Kitui, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Sociology, Gender and Development Studies, Kenyatta University, 43844-00100, Nairobi, KenyaSexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kenya disproportionately affects women, resulting in severe socio-economic repercussions. This study examines the hidden economic costs of SGBV and emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions. The impacts include lost work, decreased quality of life, disrupted education, increased health-related costs, and family instability. Current research has focused mainly on direct service costs, neglecting indirect and long-term costs. This study addresses this gap by evaluating both direct and indirect costs among 32 survivors from Nairobi County who underwent recovery programs. Findings indicate an average loss of 67,500 KES (675 USD) due to seeking help, lost workdays, children's missed schooling, and domestic work hours. It underscores the necessity for expanded policies to address the extensive economic repercussions of SGBV in Kenya. The study sites include the Nairobi Women's Hospital Gender Recovery Centre (NWH GVRC), Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), Talia Agler Girls Shelter (TAGS) and Women's Empowerment Link (WEL). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and key informant interviews with program managers. Qualitative data focused on GBV experiences, risks, coping, and health impacts, while quantitative data covered direct (medical, legal, counselling, shelter, transport) and indirect costs (Lost Work Days, Lost Domestic Work), analysed using accounting methodologies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259029112500066XJ12J16J78I12
spellingShingle Grace Wamue-ngare
Pacificah Okemwa
Isaac Kimunio
Okumba Miruka
Grace Okong'o
Pauline Kamau
Lucy Maina
Jane Njuguna
Lilian Kiruja
Simon Okoth
Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
J12
J16
J78
I12
title Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya
title_full Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya
title_fullStr Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya
title_short Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya
title_sort unveiling the hidden costs an in depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender based violence on women in nairobi kenya
topic J12
J16
J78
I12
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259029112500066X
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