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In August 2025, Tiaty in Baringo, Kenya marked a historic moment with the launch of its first-ever Gender Desk. This is a critical step toward strengthening protection, justice, and dignity for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

Since we first started working in Baringo in 2018, So They Can has been a vocal advocate for improved GBV protection and response mechanisms in the region, working closely with community members, educators, and local authorities. Seeing this Gender Desk officially established is not only a victory for Tiaty, it is a testament to the perseverance of our partner communities committed to safeguarding the rights of women and children.

A Collaborative Effort for Community Safety

The Gender Desk was made possible through a collaboration between the National Police Service, national government offices and many CSOs.The Legal Resources Foundation, Diakonia, Grassroots Kenya, Christian Impact Mission have provided financial support. GBV champions, paralegals and INGOs – So They Can, World Vision and Compassion – are supporting implementation.

 

The shared vision is clear: to create a safe, accessible, and survivor-centred space where GBV cases can be reported, documented, and addressed with professionalism and sensitivity.

 

For too long, cases of GBV in Tiaty have gone unreported or undocumented. Survivors often faced stigma, fear, or long distances to reach services. This lack of reporting led to poor case follow-up, minimal accountability for perpetrators, and limited access to justice.

The newly established Gender Desk aims to close this gap by:

• Supporting effective prevention and response to GBV.
• Building the capacity of police officers to manage cases ethically and efficiently.
• Ensuring survivors are met with dignity, confidentiality, and timely support.

So They Can’s Champions Lead the Way

We are proud that two of So They Can’s Champions, Margaret and Eunice, played an active role in the launch. Their longstanding engagement in community education and protection initiatives has not gone unnoticed — both have been identified as potential paralegals who will receive specialised training in monitoring GBV trends, documentation of cases, and reporting and referral pathways. Their involvement reflects our commitment to building local leadership and empowering communities to advocate for their own safety and rights.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Desk for Long-Term Impact

Although a permanent Gender Desk Officer has yet to be assigned, the desk is currently being managed by the Officer in Charge of the Station (OCS) as authorities take steps to deploy a trained female officer to the role. This will be a crucial milestone in ensuring survivors, especially women and children, feel comfortable and supported when seeking help.

The launch of the Tiaty Gender Desk is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities, government, and partners like So They Can work together with a shared purpose. We celebrate this progress, but we also recognise that our work continues. So They Can remains committed to advocating for stronger protection systems, empowering our local Champions, and ensuring every child and community member can live free from violence.