Community Spotlight: Claire’s Mission to End Gender-Based Violence

In Nairobi’s Kayole neighborhood, Claire Batamuriza is leading a quiet revolution. The 36-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become a trusted voice in her community, helping women recognize and address gender-based violence (GBV) through educational sessions that challenge long-held beliefs. 

Claire is a member of RefuSHE’s Womens Ambassador Groups (WAGs) and a trained Anti-GBV champion who has been moderating GBV trainings in her community. Through her trainings, women have begun to recognize their own roles in the cycle of violence. "For most women, beating their children was considered normal discipline. Now they're learning there are limits to punishment," she shares. 

Cultural barriers make her work particularly challenging. In Congolese culture, domestic violence is traditionally kept hidden. "The older women hide their faces with shukas when we discuss these topics," Claire notes.

RefuSHE’s GBV Awareness trainings, funded in part by Zakat Foundation of America, reach 2,000+ community members each year.

Her sessions address these issues head-on, teaching conflict resolution skills and prevention strategies. "When husbands come home drunk, some women escalate situations with provocative words. I teach them that they can prevent arguments by choosing to be silent and discussing issues the next day when things have calmed down," she shares. 

Claire also emphasizes the critical importance of timely reporting, especially in cases of sexual assault. She educates women about gathering evidence and seeking immediate medical attention, challenging the cultural pressure to remain silent or handle abuse within the family. 

Through her persistent efforts, Claire is helping her community recognize that ending gender-based violence requires transforming harmful social norms rooted in patriarchal traditions. Her work demonstrates how education and open dialogue can lead to meaningful change, even in communities where discussing such issues was once unthinkable. 

As attitudes slowly shift and more women find their voice, Claire's impact continues to grow. Her story shows how one person's dedication can help break the cycle of violence and create pathways to safer, healthier communities. 

Click here to learn more about RefuSHE’s Women Ambassador Groups and GBV awareness and prevention initiatives.