By Nazarene W. Kiwinga

On November 19, the Psychology Lab within the Psychology Department of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), in collaboration with the Gender Office, hosted a full-day professional training for gender-based violence (GBV) call center responders. Themed, “Case Management – Building Resilience and Capacities to Restore Dignity to Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV),” the training aimed at enabling participants to understand proper and appropriate handling of SGBV cases to ensure justice for survivors, safeguard their rights and dignity, and enhance coordinated, effective service delivery across sectors.

The event was formally opened by Dr. Charity Waithima, Chair of the Psychology Department and Acting Dean of SHSS, who highlighted the University’s commitment to strengthening GBV response systems and fostering community-engaged learning. The training was also attended by three faculty members from the Psychology Department, demonstrating strong departmental support for the initiative. The support from the Gender Office strengthened the coordination and impact of the initiative.

Importantly, the session involved 23 student volunteers, including 1 doctoral, 3 master’s, and 19 undergraduate students, who participated as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to develop practical skills, professional readiness, and hands-on exposure for students.

The training was led by Lady Dr. Wangu Kanja, a distinguished Human Rights Champion with over 18 years of experience in gender and development work, and Grace Gathitu from the Wangu Kanja Foundation (WKF) - a survivor-led, feminist, and experience-informed national organization founded in 2005. WKF, headquartered in Nairobi and active in all 47 counties in Kenya, is recognized for its leadership in advancing human rights and providing holistic support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

The training delivered an in-depth exploration of survivor-centered case management through a combination of expert presentations, participatory discussions, and lived-experience insights. Participants were introduced to foundational principles guiding ethical, accountable, and effective SGBV case handling - emphasizing confidentiality, respect, safety, and non-discrimination. The training also focused on adopting approaches that prioritize survivors’ needs, autonomy, privacy, and emotional well-being. The facilitators demonstrated how trauma-informed practice improves trust, strengthens communication, and creates safer disclosure environments. Participants further learned how sensitive, accurate, and respectful documentation of SGBV incidents supports legal processes, enhances coordinated service delivery, and ensures that survivors’ rights are upheld throughout the case management journey.

This training not only strengthened the capacity of frontline GBV call responders but also reflected USIU-Africa’s vision of being a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective. By providing students and practitioners with opportunities to engage directly in ethical, trauma-informed community work, the university demonstrated meaningful application of its Mission to prepare students to contribute effectively and ethically in a changing world.

The training aligned with several key university learning outcomes as students analyzed real-life case complexities and evaluated best practices in trauma-informed care. They gained practical, field-relevant experience essential for careers in psychology, mental health, social work, and humanitarian response, and strengthened their sense of moral responsibility and leadership competence through engagement with survivors’ experiences and ethical case handling procedures. Moreover, the session not only fostered sensitivity to cultural, social, and gender dynamics shaping SGBV responses in Kenya and globally, but by supporting SGBV response efforts, the training embodied the University's commitment to social action and community service.

This collaboration between the Psychology Lab and the Wangu Kanja Foundation highlights the university’s ongoing dedication to academic excellence, human rights advocacy, and community-responsive training. The event successfully bridged theory and practice, empowered students and practitioners, and contributed to a stronger, more ethical, and survivor-centered SGBV response ecosystem in Kenya. The Psychology Lab looks forward to continued collaboration with the Wangu Kanja Foundation and other partners to advance research, training, and community impact in the areas of GBV response and psychosocial support.