Practicing Real Empathy for Mental Wellness Among Women Facing Gender-Based Violence and the Youth Struggling with Gender Identity in the African Patriarchal Society

In many African societies, where patriarchal systems have historically shaped social norms and power dynamics, the mental wellness of vulnerable populations—particularly women experiencing gender-based violence (GBV) and youth grappling with gender identity—remains under-prioritized and often stigmatized. In communities where individuals are grappling with the dual challenges of patriarchy and evolving gender identities, real empathy is not a luxury—it is a lifeline. It bridges the gap between pain and healing, silence and expression, exclusion and belonging. The intersection of culture, gender, and mental health demands not just awareness but a deeper, more transformative practice: real empathy. Real empathy goes beyond sympathy or surface-level concern; it involves active listening, emotional attunement, and structural advocacy to understand and respond to the lived experiences of those suffering in silence. To support the mental wellness of women facing GBV and youth navigating gender identity, we must cultivate a culture of genuine empathy—one that listens deeply, acts justly, and embraces every human being in their full complexity and worth.

The Burden of Patriarchy on Mental Wellness

Patriarchy in Africa manifests through rigid gender roles, male dominance, and the devaluation of women's and sexual minorities' voices. Women who endure GBV are frequently silenced, blamed, or forced to remain in abusive relationships due to economic dependence, cultural taboos, or religious constraints. Meanwhile, young individuals who challenge heteronormative gender expectations are marginalized, bullied, or labelled as abnormal and immoral. These realities contribute to chronic mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation. The problem is compounded by limited access to mental health services, societal stigma around seeking help, and the normalization of violence and discrimination. In such a context, practicing real empathy becomes not only a moral imperative but also a form of resistance against oppressive systems that dehumanize and isolate.

Understanding Real Empathy

Real empathy requires a shift from judgment to understanding, from assumptions to curiosity, and from detachment to meaningful connection. It involves stepping into the emotional and psychological world of another person, without imposing one’s own biases or cultural preconceptions. For women facing GBV, this means listening to their stories without blaming them or questioning their choices. It means creating safe spaces where survivors can express their pain and receive emotional validation. Empathy here should lead to action—offering support, connecting them with services, or advocating for policy changes that protect women’s rights and safety. For young people exploring or asserting their gender identity, real empathy means affirming their right to self-expression and existence. Instead of moralizing or pathologizing their experiences, empathetic adults—especially parents, teachers, and religious leaders—should seek to understand the psychological toll of societal rejection and offer compassion, not condemnation.

Empathy as a Tool for Healing and Social Transformation

Empathy can be a powerful tool for individual and collective healing. When a survivor of GBV or a
queer youth feels seen and heard, they begin to reclaim their agency and dignity. Community-led peer support groups, trauma-informed counselling, and culturally sensitive storytelling initiatives are practical ways to foster empathy and mental wellness. Moreover, empathy challenges harmful norms. When men are encouraged to listen without defensiveness, when faith leaders choose compassion over condemnation, and when schools promote inclusivity, a cultural shift begins. Empathy transforms bystanders into allies and caregivers into champions of mental wellness and human rights.

The Role of Institutions and Civil Society

Governments, religious institutions, and civil society organizations must institutionalize empathy in their policies and programming. This includes integrating gender and mental health education into school curricula, training healthcare providers in culturally competent counselling, and enacting laws that protect both survivors of GBV and individuals of diverse gender identities. Faith-based groups can also play a transformative role by emphasizing love, inclusion, and healing rather than shame and punishment. NGOs and community groups must invest in safe spaces—physical and digital—where storytelling, art, and dialogue can thrive as tools for empathy-building.

How to Walk the Journey of Healing from a Toxic Relationship

Healing from a toxic relationship is a deeply personal and transformative journey that requires time, self-compassion, and intentional effort. 

Toxic relationships—marked by manipulation, emotional abuse, control, or neglect—can leave deep psychological wounds that affect one’s self-worth, trust, and emotional well-being. 

Walking the path toward healing involves several key steps: recognizing the toxicity, committing to self-care, seeking support, processing emotions, rebuilding identity, and cultivating forgiveness.

Step 1. Recognizing the Toxicity

The first step toward healing is acknowledging the reality of the toxic relationship. Denial often serves
as a defense mechanism, but true healing begins when a person recognizes that their relationship was harmful. This means confronting uncomfortable truths—perhaps that love was used as a tool for control or that one’s boundaries were repeatedly violated. Accepting this reality is essential, not to dwell on the pain, but to understand what one is healing from.

2. Committing to Self-Care

Toxic relationships often drain emotional, mental, and even physical energy. Once free from the relationship, one must prioritize self-care as a way to restore balance. This includes adequate rest, healthy eating, regular exercise, and engaging in activities that bring joy and peace. Mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, and deep breathing can help ground a person and reconnect them to their inner self.

3. Seeking Support

Healing in isolation is difficult. Finding a safe space to talk—whether with friends, family, support groups, or a professional therapist—can be incredibly therapeutic. Support systems validate one’s experiences and provide reassurance that they are not alone. Therapy, in particular, can help unpack complex emotions, set healthy boundaries, and develop strategies for moving forward.

4. Processing Emotions

Emotions such as anger, sadness, guilt, shame, and confusion are normal after a toxic relationship. It is important not to suppress these feelings but to face them with honesty and patience. Emotional healing requires feeling the pain, understanding its roots, and releasing it in healthy ways. This might involve crying, writing, talking, or using creative outlets like art or music to express what cannot be spoken.

5. Rebuilding Identity

Toxic relationships can distort one’s sense of self. A vital part of healing is rediscovering personal
identity—values, passions, strengths, and dreams. This might involve setting new goals, trying new hobbies, or simply relearning to enjoy one’s own company. Reclaiming autonomy and self-worth restores confidence and sets the stage for healthier future relationships.

6. Cultivating Forgiveness

Forgiveness in the context of healing is often misunderstood. It does not mean excusing the harm done or reconciling with the abuser. Instead, it is about releasing resentment and freeing oneself from the emotional grip of the past. Forgiving oneself is just as crucial—many survivors blame themselves for staying too long or missing the signs. True healing involves compassion toward oneself and choosing not to let the past dictate the future.

 

The journey of healing from a toxic relationship is not linear—it involves setbacks, breakthroughs, and
constant learning. It is a sacred path of rediscovery, resilience, and rebirth. With patience, support, and intentional steps, it is possible not just to recover, but to grow stronger, wiser, and more attuned to one’s worth. Healing is not just about leaving the pain behind; it’s about walking forward with purpose, toward a life rooted in love, respect, and peace.

 

Child Trauma and Cognitive Development

Childhood is a critical stage of human development, during which cognitive, emotional, and social foundations are established. However, when children experience trauma, these developmental processes can be significantly disrupted. Child trauma refers to deeply distressing or disturbing experiences that a child encounters, such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, or exposure to community violence. These traumatic events can have long-lasting effects on a child’s cognitive development, impacting their learning abilities, memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Understanding these effects is essential for developing effective interventions and support systems to help affected children thrive.

Cognitive development encompasses the growth of intellectual abilities such as thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. Childhood trauma can negatively affect these processes in several ways:

(1) Trauma can alter brain structures involved in cognitive functioning. The hippocampus, responsible for memory formation and learning, often experiences reduced growth in children exposed to chronic stress. Similarly, the prefrontal cortex, which is essential for executive functions such as decision-making and impulse control, can be impaired. The amygdala, which processes fear and emotional responses, becomes hyperactive, leading to heightened stress reactions that interfere with cognitive processes.

(2) Children who have experienced trauma often struggle with memory retention and recall. Stress hormones like cortisol, released during traumatic events, can interfere with the normal functioning of the hippocampus, making it difficult for children to process and store new information. This impairment affects their academic performance and ability to absorb and apply knowledge effectively.

(3) Traumatized children frequently exhibit difficulties in maintaining attention and concentration. They may become easily distracted, hypervigilant, or experience frequent intrusive thoughts related to their trauma. This heightened state of alertness consumes cognitive resources that would otherwise be used for learning and problem-solving, leading to difficulties in classroom settings and social interactions.

(4) Language development relies on cognitive abilities such as memory and comprehension. Children who experience trauma may struggle with speech and communication due to stress-related impairments in brain function. This can affect their ability to express thoughts, understand instructions, and engage effectively in verbal interactions.

(5) The ability to regulate emotions is closely tied to cognitive functioning. Children who have been exposed to trauma often experience emotional instability, making it difficult for them to think critically and solve problems effectively. Their responses to challenges may be more reactive than thoughtful, leading to difficulties in academic and social environments.

The long-term impact of childhood trauma on cognitive development can extend into adulthood, affecting mental health, career opportunities, and social relationships. However, with timely and appropriate interventions, children can recover and develop resilience. Some effective strategies include: (1) Trauma-Informed Education where Schools can incorporate trauma-sensitive teaching approaches, providing safe and supportive learning environments. (2) Psychosocial Support and Counselling where professional therapy, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can help children process trauma and develop coping mechanisms. (3) Parental and Caregiver Support where educating caregivers about trauma’s impact can equip them with skills to provide stable, nurturing, and understanding environments for children. (4) Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques where activities such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help children regulate stress and improve focus.

Child trauma has profound effects on cognitive development, influencing memory, learning, attention, and problem-solving skills. Without intervention, these challenges can persist into adulthood, limiting a child’s potential. However, by implementing trauma-informed care, psychological support, and educational strategies, it is possible to mitigate these effects and foster resilience. Recognizing the significance of childhood trauma and addressing it effectively is crucial for ensuring the well-being and cognitive growth of affected children, enabling them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Protecting Children and Adolescent Mental Well-being in a Rapid and Digitally Changing World in Developing Countries.

In recent years, the world has witnessed an unprecedented transformation driven by digital technology. From mobile phones and social media to online learning platforms and digital entertainment, young people are growing up in a vastly different environment than previous generations. While this digital evolution brings immense opportunities, it also presents significant challenges—particularly for the mental well-being of children and adolescents in developing countries. The convergence of rapid digitalization with pre-existing socio-economic inequalities, limited mental health infrastructure, and cultural stigmas has created a complex landscape where young people are increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues.

Digital technology offers countless benefits for education, connectivity, and access to information. However, in many developing countries, these benefits are not equitably distributed. The digital divide, i.e. the gap between those with and without adequate access to digital tools creates a disparity that affects mental well-being of young people in multiple ways: (1) Children in rural or impoverished areas face anxiety, low self-esteem, and feelings of inferiority due to lack of access to devices or internet connectivity, especially when compared with their peers. (2) Children in urban, middle income or better-off households are experiencing screen addiction, cyberbullying, and social isolation due to overuse of digital platforms. Both extremes contribute to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, attention disorders, and identity confusion among adolescents.

Social media platforms have become a primary channel of social interaction among young people. While they provide a space for self-expression and peer connection, they also expose adolescents to: (1) Cyberbullying and Online Harassment, (2) Social Comparison and Body Image Issues, (3) Exposure to Inappropriate or Harmful Content, and (4) Online Peer Pressure. These experiences are leading to emotional distress, sleep disturbances, and low self-worth. In many developing countries, limited digital literacy and a lack of parental supervision or online safety education further exacerbate these risks.

The COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked digital learning across the globe bringing educational transitions and Digital Learning. However, in developing countries, this transition brought mixed results such as: - (1) Access to digital learning tools empowered some children to continue their education remotely which was a very positive outcome. However, for many, who lack of digital access led to learning loss, increased dropout rates, and emotional distress due to academic pressure and isolation which also brought some negative consequences. (2) Children with disabilities or those from marginalized communities were especially disadvantaged, highlighting the need for inclusive and equitable digital education strategies.

In many developing countries, mental health services for children and adolescents are either underdeveloped or non-existent. Barriers include: (1) Shortage of trained mental health professionals. (2) Weak policy frameworks and low government investment in mental health. (3) Stigma and cultural taboos surrounding mental illness. (4) Urban-rural disparities in service delivery. As a result of these barriers, most mental health issues go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to long-term consequences in education, social relationships, and economic productivity.

Despite these challenges, the digital environment still presents a unique opportunity to enhance mental well-being through: (1) Tele-mental health services and digital therapy tools, (2) Online peer support communities, (3) Mental health awareness campaigns via social media and mobile platforms, (4) Digital storytelling and art therapy platforms to promote expression and healing, and (5) Mobile applications for stress management and emotional resilience training.  If leveraged correctly, digital tools can be an enabler of mental health awareness, early diagnosis, and access to care even in remote regions. To ensure the mental well-being of children and adolescents in developing countries amidst digital transformation, a multi-pronged and context-specific approach is needed such as (1) Integration of child and adolescent mental health into national health and education policies. (2) Strengthening legal frameworks for online child protection and data privacy. (3) Promotion of digital literacy programs in schools and communities. (4) Equipping parents and caregivers with knowledge on digital risks and online parenting skills. (5) Training teachers to recognize early signs of mental distress. (6) Incorporating psychosocial education and life skills development into K-12 curricula. (7) Investing in training community-based mental health workers. (8) Expanding access to low-cost, culturally sensitive mental health services. (9) Providing subsidized devices and internet access to underserved communities. (10) Ensuring digital platforms are accessible to children with disabilities. (11) Involvement of youth in the design of digital solutions and mental health programs, and (12) Promotion of peer-to-peer support initiatives and youth-led digital campaigns.

The digital world is here to stay, and its influence on children and adolescents in developing countries is profound and complex. While it can be a source of opportunity and empowerment, it also poses significant risks to mental well-being. A balanced, inclusive, and rights-based approach is essential to ensure that digital transformation enhances rather than harms the mental health of the next generation. Governments, civil society, educators, families, and young people themselves must work together to create safe, supportive, and mentally healthy digital environments for all children and adolescents.

K-12 Students and Mental Health

Mental health is a critical foundation for the overall development and academic success of K-12 students in Kenya. As children and adolescents navigate the formative years of schooling, they face numerous challenges—from academic pressure and family expectations to poverty, bullying, peer pressure, and trauma from community violence or conflict. Left unaddressed, these stressors can lead to anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, poor academic performance, school dropout, or even self-harm and suicide.

Students with good mental well-being are more focused, motivated, and engaged in learning. When mental health needs are ignored, even the best education reforms struggle to deliver results. Mental health challenges often begin in childhood and adolescence. Timely support can prevent lifelong struggles and help students build resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills. Teachers and peers play a huge role in shaping a student’s emotional well-being. Promoting positive school culture, empathy, and psychosocial support systems can reduce stigma and create safe spaces for students to thrive.

Children from marginalized backgrounds like those living in poverty, in conflict-prone areas, or with disabilities are at higher risk of mental health issues. Addressing mental health helps level the playing field and ensures no learner is left behind. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, leaders, and changemakers. Supporting their mental health means investing in a healthier, more productive, and socially cohesive society.

Our 2025 Co-Curricular Activities in Mental Health

1.      

      Peer Support Programs: WE-REACH is Training students to support each other in mental health challenges.

2.       Mental Health Clubs – WE-REACH is working with Schools and community-based clubs that promote awareness, reduce stigma, and provide safe spaces for discussions.

3.       Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions – WE-REACH is offering Guided mindfulness, yoga, or relaxation practices to enhance emotional well-being.

4.       Drama and Theatre for Mental Health Awareness – WE_REACH is using storytelling and performances to educate and engage young people in conversations about mental health (similar to your Youth Advocacy through Digital Theatre project).

5.       Workshops and Training – WE-REACH is organizing Training sessions on stress management, coping mechanisms, and emotional intelligence.

6.       Sports and Physical Activities – WE-REACH is organizing communal exercises that improve mental health, such as team sports or nature walks.

7.       Creative Arts Therapy – WE-REACH organizes events for communities to express their emotions through music, art, poetry, or dance to improve mental wellness.

Mental health of adolescents

Key facts

Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide  is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15–29 years old. The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health