Sustainable Gender Justice and Social Protection in Provision of Adequate and Affordable Housing Targeting Slums in Kenya

Abstract

Gender and social protection mainstreaming in the housing policies, laws, and urbanization agenda with respect to vulnerable communities in slums and informal settlements continues to still elude our African cities. This article demonstrates a gendered perspective challenges in respect to access to adequate and affordable housing in the slums of Mukuru. Concomitant housing amenities such as bathrooms and toilets are shared between a large group of people with no age, gender or sex differentiation. The common sharing of these utilities poses a risk to children who are exposed to dirt and germs in the use of the facilities. The access to these facilities especially at night or early morning poses a constant risk of assault on women and girls. The possibility of indecent exposure of adults to children is not only a precursor to deviant behavior but curiosity to premarital sex, prostitution and compromised health among young boys and girls. The central idea is to allow persons living in slum settlements especially women, children, persons living with disabilities, and minorities to: inform what safe housing is to them; inform research that proposes solutions to some of the issues that render unsafe, the areas in which they live; and inform the National discourse on finding sustainable safe housing solutions in line with sustainable development goals 5, 7, and 11.