'Useless Men; Half-Men': Male Gbv Survivors Face Online Ridicule Despite Calls To Speak Out
img_tag = ("Behind closed doors in Kenyan homes, men are suffering in silence as victims of gender-based violence, but when they dare speak out online, they face a tsunami of mockery that makes them retreat deeper into shame.
Male survivors of GBV across the country report facing cruel taunts on social media platforms, with trolls calling them "useless men" and "half-men" whenever they share their experiences. The attacks come even as gender rights activists push for men to break their silence about domestic violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse they endure from partners, family members, and even strangers.
The bitter irony cuts deep – the same society encouraging men to speak up becomes the first to shame them when they do. From Facebook groups to Twitter threads, Kenyan men sharing their trauma stories encounter comments questioning their masculinity, with some users suggesting they deserved the abuse or should have "fought back like real men."
This toxic cycle keeps thousands of male victims trapped. In matatu stages and local bars across counties, conversations about male GBV remain whispered affairs, if they happen at all. The fear of public ridicule means fewer men report cases to authorities or seek help from counseling centers, leaving them to battle depression, anxiety, and trauma alone.
Mental health experts warn this silence creates a dangerous pattern. When male victims cannot access support systems without facing ridicule, they often turn to harmful coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or become violent themselves. The ripple effects touch entire families, with children witnessing toxic cycles that perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes.
The challenge extends beyond social media into real-world institutions. Police stations, hospitals, and even some NGOs still lack proper protocols for handling male GBV cases, with some officers dismissing reports or making jokes about men who cannot "control their women."
Breaking this cycle requires urgent action from all Kenyans – from ordinary citizens to policymakers. The question facing our society remains: will we continue pushing men to speak out while simultaneously destroying them when they do, or will we finally create safe spaces where all GBV survivors can heal without judgment?