Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Program Overview

Polycom Girls continues its commitment to innovative strategies in addressing the challenges faced by adolescents, particularly in the realm of sex education, through the implementation of “Talking Boxes” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49179475in Kibera and this year extended to 3 counties after adaptation by the respective women reps Kwale, Machakos and Kitui in collaboration with the Kenya Women Parliamentarians association. This initiative marks a significant step forward in fostering open communication within schools and providing a safe space for young girls to share their thoughts and concerns. Annually, Polycom mentors collect more than 3,500 notes from diverse adolescents, highlighting the urgency and magnitude of the challenges faced by girls in schools. The substantial volume emphasizes the vital role that Talking Boxes play in providing an outlet for expression and support as well as a safe space for adolescents to express themselves even highlighting the hot spots of violence within the community.. Polycom extends psychosocial to young girls and boys across its 50 partner schools. Employing a holistic program, Polycom addresses various aspects of mental and emotional well-being. The goal is to create a nurturing environment that empowers adolescents to face the challenges of their formative years with resilience and confidence. Kenya has been working to establish secure environments for survivors of gender-based violence. As part of its initiatives, Polycom designates its office as a sanctuary where girls can gather for meaningful discussions. On-site counselors and program staff interact with the girls, providing a safe space for dialogue and support. Polycom Girls collaborates with the RedDot Foundation to tackle sexual harassment using technology. The SafeCity app anonymously gathers crowdsourced data to identify locations with prevalent instances of sexual harassment. Since its inception in 2023, the SafeCity app has collected 2,156 reports on sexual harassment. These anonymous contributions provide valuable insights into the various forms of sexual harassment within the community. The ongoing Boresha Binti program focuses on the intersecting needs of adolescent girls. Implemented in 50 partner schools, it provides mentorship, sanitary packages, and a platform for girls to express themselves through “talking boxes.” The program aims to break harmful social norms and empower girls to reach their full potential. In relation to policy, Polcom Girls is a part of various technical working groups in all the 7 counties that they have expanded to. There has been efforts in relation to the launching of the policy evidence reports https://polycomgirls.or.ke/recovus/uploads/2024/03/The Talking-Boxes-of-Kibera-Evidence-Report.pdf that highlights the trends in sexual violence against adolescent girls. The talking boxes has in the past enabled Polycom girls to rescue 15 adolescent girls who had been targeted for FGM and supported the reform of their parents https://kenya.unfpa.org/en/news/%E2%80%9Cmy-goal-make-sure-no-girl kibera-undergoes-fgm%E2%80%9D-survivors-commitment-eliminating-fgm-nairobis all this with the leadership of a young survivor of FGM. Polycom is survivor centered with the acknowledgement of lived realities which is why in 2022 with support from Freedom Fund we set up Survivor’s Renovation Center that is currently being used by Survivors of various forms of modern slavery including human trafficking, child labor in their healing journey while nurturing their hidden talents. The annual commemoration of 16 days of activism over the years, response, creation of pathways for sustainable reforms in ending all forms of violence against girls and women have been key in yard sticks in our work. We have part of the end femicide campaign even leading it in Homabay county, part of the development and launch of Protection against domestic violence act at all levels and even launch. Our interventions start at the community and transition to national, regional e.g the advocacy around the full ratification of the maputo protocol and globally in conversations like the universal peer review.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Polycom Girls' mission in ending violence against women and girls?

    Polycom Girls is dedicated to ending violence against women and girls by fostering open communication, offering psychosocial support, tracking sexual harassment, and empowering young girls through mentorship and policy initiatives.

  • What are "Talking Boxes," and how do they help young girls?

    Talking Boxes are secure communication tools placed in schools, allowing young girls to share their concerns anonymously. This initiative fosters an open and supportive environment where girls can voice issues such as violence, harassment, or other challenges they face.

  • How successful is the Talking Boxes initiative?

    The Talking Boxes collect over 3,500 notes annually, providing critical insights into the challenges girls face and enabling timely interventions by Polycom Girls and partner organizations.

  • What kind of psychosocial support does Polycom provide?

    Polycom offers psychosocial support in 50 partner schools to create a nurturing environment for adolescent girls. This support includes counseling, mentorship, and capacity-building activities.

  • What is the SafeCity app, and how is it used by Polycom Girls?

    The SafeCity app, developed in collaboration with the RedDot Foundation, is used to track incidents of sexual harassment. By documenting and mapping harassment hotspots, the app helps identify areas where interventions are needed.

  • What is the Boresha Binti program?

    Boresha Binti is a mentorship and empowerment program that provides young girls with essential life skills, guidance, and sanitary packages to help them maintain their dignity and confidence.

  • How does Polycom Girls engage in policy and advocacy efforts?

    Polycom Girls participates in technical working groups, develops evidence-based reports, and leads survivor-centered initiatives to influence policy changes aimed at ending violence against women and girls.

  • Which regions does Polycom Girls operate in?

    Initially launched in Kibera, the Talking Boxes initiative has now expanded to three counties. Polycom continues to collaborate with schools and community organizations across these regions.

  • How can schools or communities participate in the program?

    Schools or communities interested in partnering with Polycom Girls can reach out through the organization's official contact channels to discuss collaboration opportunities.

  • How can individuals support Polycom Girls' mission?

    Individuals can support Polycom Girls by volunteering, making donations, or raising awareness about their programs and initiatives. Contact details for contributions and partnerships are available on the organization's website.