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Purpose <p>Women living in Nairobi’s informal settlements experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), yet little is known about the care and support networks available to them or how these services interact. This study investigated IPV services and referral systems for women in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement.</p> Methods <p>A qualitative approach was employed, using ten semi-structured focus group discussions with 74 participants. These included IPV survivors, healthcare providers, community health volunteers, traditional healers, and local opinion leaders. Participants shared their experiences and perspectives on existing IPV services and referral pathways. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p> Results <p>Findings revealed four levels of support for IPV survivors. At the individual level, women used free online applications, toll-free hotlines, and communication strategies with their partners. At the interpersonal level, survivors relied on informal counseling, informal safe housing, and retribution within social circles. Community-level services focused on education and sensitization, reporting, informal safe housing, and treatments such as counseling and spiritual healing. Institutional support included economic empowerment, education and sensitization, formal safe housing, reporting, gender-based violence (GBV) desks, counseling, and medical treatment.</p> Conclusion <p>IPV survivors in Kibera are supported by a robust network of stakeholders, both within and outside of their families. Future research and programming should integrate stakeholders at every level of the ecological model to ensure interventions are multidimensional and culturally competent.</p>

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An Exploration of Pathways to Care and Referral Systems for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in Informal Settlements of Nairobi, Kenya: A Qualitative Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月9日

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  • Christine W. Musyimi,
  • Gi Un Shin,
  • Kianna Stamps,
  • Victoria N. Mutiso,
  • Kevin Onuonga,
  • Samantha C. Winter,
  • Kathleen Pike,
  • Diana Thakya,
  • David M. Ndetei,
  • Tahilia Rebello

摘要

Purpose

Women living in Nairobi’s informal settlements experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), yet little is known about the care and support networks available to them or how these services interact. This study investigated IPV services and referral systems for women in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement.

Methods

A qualitative approach was employed, using ten semi-structured focus group discussions with 74 participants. These included IPV survivors, healthcare providers, community health volunteers, traditional healers, and local opinion leaders. Participants shared their experiences and perspectives on existing IPV services and referral pathways. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Findings revealed four levels of support for IPV survivors. At the individual level, women used free online applications, toll-free hotlines, and communication strategies with their partners. At the interpersonal level, survivors relied on informal counseling, informal safe housing, and retribution within social circles. Community-level services focused on education and sensitization, reporting, informal safe housing, and treatments such as counseling and spiritual healing. Institutional support included economic empowerment, education and sensitization, formal safe housing, reporting, gender-based violence (GBV) desks, counseling, and medical treatment.

Conclusion

IPV survivors in Kibera are supported by a robust network of stakeholders, both within and outside of their families. Future research and programming should integrate stakeholders at every level of the ecological model to ensure interventions are multidimensional and culturally competent.