CURBING WOMEN GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN KENYA: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH REJOINDER IN VIHIGA COUNTY

Abstract

Gender-based violence is a phenomenon that affects individuals in every corner of the world and more so women. Various institutions, individuals, organizations, and governments are working hard to ensure equity, equality, and respect for women are attained through curbing gender-based violence. The main aim of the study was to explore gender-based violence as a societal phenomenon in reflection on the Pentecostal Assemblies of God church response to the phenomenon in Vihiga County. The study was guided by four main objectives, namely: To explore Gender Based Violence as a societal phenomenon; to establish the role of faith-based organizations in curbing women Gender-Based Violence; to establish the response of Pentecostal Assemblies of God church on curbing women Gender-Based Violence in Vihiga County and to determine the challenges that Pentecostal Assemblies of God experience in dealing with women Gender-based Violence in Vihiga County. Two theories guided the current study; feminist theory and structural functionalism theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, which is deemed imperative in describing a phenomenon accurately. The study sample was 488 respondents. Data collection was done using interview schedules and focus group discussions. The findings of the study established that gender-based violence is a societal phenomenon that encompasses a range of harmful behaviors and actions that are rooted in unequal power dynamics and societal norms. Gender-based violence continues to escalate in society and manifests in various forms, such as physical, sexual, and psychological violence, affecting individuals across gender identities. The causes of gender-based violence can be defined as complex, including deep-seated cultural beliefs, discriminatory attitudes, and systemic inequalities. The effects of such violence are far-reaching, impacting the physical, emotional, and social well-being of survivors, perpetuating cycles of trauma and reinforcing gender inequality. Furthermore, the study established that faith-based organizations have played a significant role in curbing gender-based violence by creating awareness and campaigns, providing support services, advocating for theological reforms, coordinating and collaborating with other agencies, and engaging boys and men on issues of gender-based violence. In addition, the study established that the Pentecostal Assemblies of God church had not done much in curbing gender-based violence as most of the issues on gender based violence were not well understood even by the church leaders and members. PAG church faces a number of challenges that hinder the fight against gender-based violence inter alia: lack of knowledge of what gender-based violence is and is not, lack of enough resources, patriarchal notation, and cultural dictates. Therefore, the study concluded that PAG Church has failed to live up to the mark as exampled by other Faith-based Organizations that have written success stories in curbing gender based violence but have, to an extent, contributed to perpetuating it through sticking to a blend of biblical and traditional patriarchal issues. The study, therefore, recommended that the church should focus on dealing with the challenges at hand to enhance its effectiveness in curbing gender-based violence in society to save women from the phenomenon.