UNICEF warns of abuses against children in Kenya

[Guest guest]

UNICEF warns of abuses against children in Kenya

Source: United Nations

Published Tuesday, 29 January, 2008 - 12:25

-

Children and women have borne the worst of the violence in Kenya and

have the most to gain from peace, the United Nations Children's Fund

(UNICEF) said today, drawing attention to rising sexual violence and

seeking resources to combat it.

With the two leaders in the disputed election, President Mwai Kibaki

and Raila Odinga, set to meet through the mediation of former UN

Secretary General Kofi n and other eminent African leaders, the

agency said the political turmoil has increased incidents of sexual

abuse against children, teens and women.

Preliminary reports collected by an inter-agency group, led by the UN

Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from UNICEF and the UN

Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), indicate " the tragedy of girls

and women in the informal camps who trade sex for biscuits,

protection, transportation, or are raped while trying to get to a

latrine during the night. "

The Gender Violence Recovery Center in Mombasa reported that cases of

sexual violence had doubled since the disputed elections and there

have been an increase in sexual assaults by strangers and gang rapes;

most of them girls under the age of 18, but also including some boys,

UNICEF said in a news release.

On the overall violence, UNICEF said brutal attacks have continued in

several areas in the Rift Valley. Inter-ethnic violence also erupted

in some places that had so far stayed out of the conflict, including

Nakuru, which is now playing host to the largest population of

displaced families in the country.

The agency has dispatched more than $1.2 million in emergency

supplies and has had teams working on the ground in the major

hotspots since the crisis began. But it said it needs more funds to

protect children from violence and abuse, and to assist those who

have been worst affected.

UNICEF also stressed that the importance of getting Kenyan children

back to school. An estimated 1,700 displaced children have been

admitted to schools in the Nakuru area alone, including hundreds in

classes held in tents provided by UNICEF.

Working with partners UNICEF is also setting up " safe play areas " in

Nakuru that will enable children from the camp to enjoy games and

play. Parents can be assured that their children are safe while they

go to seek work or fuel, collect water and food, or look for a place

to live.

UNICEF is urgently seeking $3 million for emergency programmes that

can " protect and help children today and build a safer Kenya

tomorrow. "

[Guest guest]

UNICEF warns of abuses against children in Kenya

Source: United Nations

Published Tuesday, 29 January, 2008 - 12:25

-

Children and women have borne the worst of the violence in Kenya and

have the most to gain from peace, the United Nations Children's Fund

(UNICEF) said today, drawing attention to rising sexual violence and

seeking resources to combat it.

With the two leaders in the disputed election, President Mwai Kibaki

and Raila Odinga, set to meet through the mediation of former UN

Secretary General Kofi n and other eminent African leaders, the

agency said the political turmoil has increased incidents of sexual

abuse against children, teens and women.

Preliminary reports collected by an inter-agency group, led by the UN

Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from UNICEF and the UN

Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), indicate " the tragedy of girls

and women in the informal camps who trade sex for biscuits,

protection, transportation, or are raped while trying to get to a

latrine during the night. "

The Gender Violence Recovery Center in Mombasa reported that cases of

sexual violence had doubled since the disputed elections and there

have been an increase in sexual assaults by strangers and gang rapes;

most of them girls under the age of 18, but also including some boys,

UNICEF said in a news release.

On the overall violence, UNICEF said brutal attacks have continued in

several areas in the Rift Valley. Inter-ethnic violence also erupted

in some places that had so far stayed out of the conflict, including

Nakuru, which is now playing host to the largest population of

displaced families in the country.

The agency has dispatched more than $1.2 million in emergency

supplies and has had teams working on the ground in the major

hotspots since the crisis began. But it said it needs more funds to

protect children from violence and abuse, and to assist those who

have been worst affected.

UNICEF also stressed that the importance of getting Kenyan children

back to school. An estimated 1,700 displaced children have been

admitted to schools in the Nakuru area alone, including hundreds in

classes held in tents provided by UNICEF.

Working with partners UNICEF is also setting up " safe play areas " in

Nakuru that will enable children from the camp to enjoy games and

play. Parents can be assured that their children are safe while they

go to seek work or fuel, collect water and food, or look for a place

to live.

UNICEF is urgently seeking $3 million for emergency programmes that

can " protect and help children today and build a safer Kenya

tomorrow. "