While violence against women has existed as problem throughout history, the senselessness and ferocious increase in recent years is disturbing.

Within the sanctuary walls of our Churches, we have accommodated both the victims and perpetuators of violence, worshipping together. Yet the Church has been ill-prepared and I daresay, unwilling to minister to and accommodate the survivors of gender-based violence on the one hand, and to reach out to perpetrators of violence with meaningful interventions that bring restoration and healing.

The events of the biblical account are a mirror image of all the forms of gender violence as we know them today. The leadership of the Churches in Kenya cannot wish the problem away. We have a significant and decisive role to play in this struggle and to translate our positions of trust and respect into action against all forms of violence, including gender violence.

There is a need to understand violence within the context of women’s and girls’ subordinate status in society – justified by beliefs, norms and social institutions that legitimize and therefore perpetuate violence against women. The communities we minister to expect justice and fairness, if nothing else.

The Tamar Campaign, launched in 2005 by the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA) in partnership with the World Council of Churches and St. Paul’s United Theological Seminary stands as the voice of the Church to speak out against gender-based violence.

Although FECCLAHA centres its campaign within the larger region of eastern Africa, the work ahead calls for deep and meaningful partnerships between the Church, communities and government. Our honourable members of parliament have the power, stature, ability and capacity to make positive decisions for the benefit of all Kenyans who are their constituents.

Whereas the members of parliament are to be commended for endorsing and passing the Sexual Offences Act mid-this year, let us remember that this is only a beginning. As representatives of all Kenyans, members of parliament have a responsibility to keep up the fight and hold themselves accountable in speaking out against destructive behaviour in the home, community and the nation.

That is why the Family Protection Bill and other lapsed gender-related bills must be reintroduced for debate and the contentious issues discussed and settled satisfactorily.

We share a common struggle in this crisis of violence. It affects those we lead, those we care for and those we love. We must uplift one another and still have the courage to hold each other accountable. Let us stand up for Tamar.

*The writer is the Deputy General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK). The article is an edited version of his speech to the Tamar Campaign at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence on 24th November 2006 in Nairobi.