Safe Haven: Kenya Case Study

Key Takeaways

• The report details efforts to shelter displaced individuals from sexual and gender-based violence in Kenya and other regions. It focuses on various shelter models, challenges they face, and strategies for improvement.
• The study explores different types of shelter models implemented in Kenya, such as traditional safe houses, community host systems, and independent living arrangements. The effectiveness of these models varies widely based on factors like location, security, and resources.
• Challenges faced by these shelters include scarcity of shelter options, limited resources, and security concerns for both residents and staff. Many shelters struggle with maintaining security while fostering an empowering and supportive environment for survivors.
• The report highlights the need for better structured exit strategies for shelter residents, improved service coordination among shelters, and stronger community ties to facilitate the reintegration of survivors back into society.
• Special attention is recommended for marginalized groups such as internally displaced persons, LGBTQ individuals, and male survivors of violence, who face additional barriers to accessing shelter and support services.
• Recommendations for improving the shelter systems include increasing government and international support, promoting community-based protection models, and conducting thorough program evaluations and mappings to better allocate resources and services.
• The study emphasizes that increasing awareness and education about sexual and gender-based violence in communities is vital for improving the overall efficacy of shelter programs and ensuring long-term safety for survivors.