The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) remains committed to creating and fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for all. To continue creating this environment at our workplaces, PROCMURA recently held a workshop for the Central Office staff and other key stakeholders, including paralegals working at the community levels in Nairobi, on preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially at workplaces and at the community levels.

This important workshop was expertly facilitated by the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), a distinguished organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence and promoting women's rights, through their Programmes and Communication Manager, Ms. Frida Wawira and the organization's Legal Officer, Ms. Julie Diffu, who is also an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

_{COVAW's Programmes and Communication Manager Ms. Frida Wawira}

The training, which began with a deep dive into understanding the various forms of GBV, including physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse, also offered insights into the root causes of GBV and their impact on individuals and society as a whole.

The much anticipated and informative workshop also provided a platform to learn of the best practices and interact with the experts who gave insights into identifying early warning signs and understating the legal framework and reporting mechanisms on any form of GBV, particularly at workplaces.

While underscoring the fact that PROCMURA, as an organization, has a zero-tolerance policy on issues of GBV, the Team Leader, Ms Joy Wandabwa, reiterated that at PROCMURA, creating a safe and inclusive workplace is not just a goal but a fundamental right. She also underscored that one of the workshop's objectives was working with COVAW to update PROCMURA's GBV policy and ensure that it adopts the 'Do No Harm' approach as far as gender-based violence is concerned.

_{PROCMURA's Team Leader Ms. Joy Wandabwa} 

PROCMURA has a comprehensive policy that addresses issues of GBV that includes safeguarding processes that are effective in reporting GBV cases not only in workplaces but also at the grassroots levels, with all its workers, beneficiaries, and stakeholders encouraged to develop and use the 'Do No Harm' approach as a principle as far as preventing and responding to GBV cases is concerned.

The workshop also provided a platform to empower the participants on mechanisms to detect early signs of any form of GBV. Recognizing the early warning signs of GBV is crucial for its prevention. Through interactive discussions and real-life case studies during the training, the experts took participants through the process of identifying indicators of potential violence and abusive behaviour in the workplace as well as at the community levels.

During her presentation on the legal framework, Ms. Julie highlighted some of the primary laws related to addressing GBV cases and the processes to follow in the event a sexual offence is committed. Recognizing the significance of addressing GBV cases at the workplace and within our communities, especially in informal settlements, PROCMURA sought to equip its staff and other participants with promoting harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence among its diverse staff members.

_{COVAW's Legal Officer Ms. Julie Diffu.}

At the end of the engaging workshop, all the staff and other stakeholders are committed to becoming proactive bystanders who are ready to intervene or report any GBV they may witness. This approach promotes a collective responsibility for workplace and community safety.