In Kenya, a new petition in parliament against sexual corruption (sextortion) is the result of years of campaigning led by water sector organisations. Here's how they did it.
The journey to recognizing sexual corruption, or sextortion, as a significant issue in Kenya has been long and challenging, but it also stands as a testament to the success achieved through perseverance and collaboration. This story showcases the Kenyan water sector's pivotal role in rallying other sectors to combat the problem collectively.
In a conversation with two key figures in the movement—Sareen Malik of ANEW and Malesi Shivaji of KEWASNET—we explored the process of researching, advocating, and engaging with decision makers to get sexual corruption on the political agenda. The discussion’s insights offer valuable guidance for other partners and sectors inspired to address this critical issue.
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Part I – “It was like a whisper” Recognizing what was under our noses all along
For Malesi, governance challenges represent the most significant barrier to achieving universal access to water and sanitation in Kenya. They first encountered the issue of sexual corruption, while working on governance in informal settlements through KEWASNET's human rights-based approach program. However, they quickly realized that the problem extended far beyond informal settlements, reaching into other vulnerable settings, such as humanitarian and emergency situations. This broader understanding revealed the pervasive nature of sexual corruption, affecting those in desperate need of essential resources.
For Sareen, the moment of reckoning came with the acceptance of the sector's failure to acknowledge this issue. Despite the existence of documented cases of sexual exploitation in other areas, such as "sex for fish" or "sex for pads," the sector had overlooked the occurrence of such abuses in contexts where water and sanitation access is critically limited. This realization prompted a deep reflection on how such a significant issue could have been missed, and what the next steps might be.
Acknowledging the need to address sextortion, despite anticipating serious backlash, was a crucial first step. The transgression had become so normalized, and power dynamics had so significantly played into the emergence of the issue, that many were often unaware of how serious sexual corruption really is. To combat this, the strategy involved legitimizing the issue at the international level by building on the work of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), and then bringing this momentum back to Kenya.
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Part II – “They drink their abuse every day. They wash themselves with their abuse every day.” The movement picks up steam
The impacts of the #MeToo movement in 2017 helped bring more attention to sexual corruption, despite initial scepticism and resistance. This led to obtaining crucial financial support, which allowed KEWASNET and ANEW to collect further evidence of the alarming extent of the issue in two of Kenya’s largest informal settlements and to start to initiate action – in the communities themselves, but also across other sectors.
Responses to the evidence showcased the struggle that people have to see the connection between sexual abuse and water access, or access to other essential services. Still others, particularly key decision makers or leaders, sought to denounce the evidence altogether. This is where having the numbers played an important role. Critically, the programme’s interventions also sought to re-centre people, and the impact that sexual corruption has on their lives. Part of this meant unbundling issues of consent, power, and vulnerability alongside cultural and societal norms and behaviours.
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Part III – “In the best way possible, it became bigger than the water sector.” From research, to advocacy, to entering the legal sphere
Building on the research findings through persistent advocacy and convening with other affected sectors, the movement ultimately managed to engage key policymakers. This was possible via the support of Hon. Esther Passaris, as she was able to escalate the issue all the way up to the national parliament as well as advise on legal support. With the backing of the Kenyan Law Reform Commission and financial support from Avaaz, a workshop to draft an official petition took place.
Behind the scenes, a great deal of work took place to cultivate relationships and continue the conversation with lawmakers who were interested in getting the issue on the agenda. As an advice to other organizations who have similar ambitions, Sareen and Malesi are clear: get out of your comfort zone, get creative, and mobilize the masses. Dedication, ownership, and perseverance are what it takes.
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So what is next?
On April 17, 2024, a petition was officially submitted and read in Kenya’s parliament. The petition seeks to explicitly define sexual corruption as an offense, establish clear provisions on penalties, and provide support to victims. The business of making laws is a long game, and while the final steps in this journey could be another few years down the road, the good news is that the parliamentary legal committee has taken the petition on for refinement. In Sareen’s words, “We are confident that it is going to go through.”