Watch Now
Kenyan men get reprieve as toll-free hotline for abused husbands reopens
A hotline dedicated to abused and troubled men has been reopened after a five-month hiatus due to lack of operational funds.
Those in need of counselling and guidance on where to seek medical-legal help can now call 1198 without charge.
The emergency line was launched in June 2021 by Dan Shieshie Foundation, at the peak of Covid-19 when incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) spiked because of economic strains resulting from loss of jobs and movement restrictions piling together mentally and emotionally strained men and women.
But it went silent in December 2023, after support by willing partners ran out.
“Today (May 24, 2024) is a great day for us. The hotline is back in service,” excited Mr Dan Shieshie told Nation.Africa last Friday.
“My greatest concern though is how to sustain its operations. Presently, I’m using my own resources to run it and they are not even enough. I’ve done my best and my heart is in helping the men and giving them a dedicated platform to seek and find help.”
Mr Shieshie said he started the helpline upon discovery that men were uncomfortable to call 1195, the national GBV support line.
He said men perceive 1195 to be for women and girls, and hence 1198, gives them a special alternative to share their tribulations in confidence.
Mr Shieshie said he needs at least Sh400,000 every month to pay the bill for the calls, and clear the counsellors’ and overhead costs. The monthly cost is determined by the number of calls; the higher the number of calls, the bigger the bill.
Men, too, are victims of GBV, which leaves them mentally and emotionally damaged.
As of 2003, the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that husbands with no education and those who had reached high school and beyond were at the highest risk of being abused by their wives.
In the survey, 3.1 per cent of women married to husbands with no education said they had abused them. While 2.5 per cent of the wives admitted to having committed violence against their husbands with a secondary school education or post-secondary training.
Over the years, the prevalence has worsened. And men are increasingly becoming victims of domestic violence.
Already, the government has realised the unequal manner in which it’s running gender equality campaigns, prompting it to start a male engagement programme.
“We have a structure called the National Gender Sector Working Group, which is within the intergovernmental framework for the gender sector.
“It has been in existence since 2019,” said Jackline Makokha, director of gender mainstreaming directorate at the state Department of Gender and Affirmative Action in an earlier interview.
“Within the gender sector, we used to have four thematic areas, that is, women in leadership, socioeconomic empowerment and inclusion, GBV and women, and peace and security.
“But in August 2023, we launched the fifth thematic area, which is the male engagement and inclusion, because a large group of members felt issues of boys and men were forgotten, yet these are a population of people who are critical to the gender agenda.”
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.