Turning off the rape tap, to bring an end to mopping the rescue floor – that’s e²’s 160 Girls goal.
We’re excited to share three powerful reports that showcase the progress made towards achieving life-changing systemic equality reform:
1. Annual Report 2023 – 2024
Our most recent e² annual report reflects on 10 years of 160 Girls progress. The 160 Girls Project has trained 99% of police officers responsible for child rape cases in Kenya, transforming defilement investigation practices. The program’s effectiveness is evident:
- 81% of defilement victims now receive preliminary access to justice within three months of reporting.
- 100% of police trainees would recommend the 160 Girls course to a peer, and 99% rate it as highly effective.
- Over 67,000 youth leaders have been empowered as equality advocates through the Virtual Justice Club program.
- Community outreach remains impactful, with 56,296 160 Girls Justice Journals distributed in person and 150,086 delivered digitally in the past year.
Click here to read the report.
2. Victim Evaluation of Police Treatment 2023
The Victims Police Evaluation study found that 82 % of victims report having received respectful treatment by police when reporting a child rape.
This was not always the case. The High Court of Kenya found that 0 per cent of the 160 Girl’s investigations were conducted in accordance with the Constitution, i.e.: claimants’ human rights were violated and disrespected. Girls were being discriminated against and left vulnerable to more rape while perpetrators were left free to reoffend. Now police are promptly and professionally investigating cases and treating victims with respect. One victim recently reported: “Personally I was treated well (by the police), and I cannot complain. If that is how they treat other people, that is nice.”
Click here to read the report.
3. VJC Leadership Impact Report 2023
The Virtual Justice Clubs empower youth to become agents of equality change. 33% of VJC leaders had a defilement reported to them by a peer, and 100 % of these cases were reported to the police, ensuring the protection of girls and their rights.
The 160 Girls Justice Journals reduce stigma and foster awareness, with 98 % of recipients learning new human rights-based information. Topics like “good touch vs. bad touch” resonate deeply, breaking taboos and helping to build safer communities. Secondary VJC benefits include an increase in technology literacy.
Click here to read the report.
The Modest Boast – Changing Rape Culture (A Mother’s Story)
While the above numbers are powerful the real impact is seen in the stories of survivors. One mother of a 10-year-old defilement victim shared her compelling story :
“When I reported my daughter’s rape to the police, I didn’t expect much. But to see them respond with such urgency and work diligently to find the perpetrator made me feel valued. The police restored my faith in humanity.”
This testimony reflects one of the 160 Girls Project’s central aims, creating a justice system that respects survivors and eliminates institutional betrayal. Beyond protecting survivors, the project is creating positive ripple effects in their communities, changing the culture of rape, a culture that exists internationally. As Nigerian author and activist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote, “Culture doesn’t make people, people make culture.”
What’s Up Next for e²
The 160 Girls Prosecution & Judicial (P&J) Engagement Initiative is advancing access to justice for child rape survivors. With prosecutors’ pilot training scheduled for April and the judges’ pilot training scheduled for September, this three-year project is already making progress through curriculum development, and a peer workshop in Toronto.
Thank you for your continued support of The Equality Effect’s mission to advance systemic equality. We’re excited to share the ongoing impact of the 160 Girls project.
