Mogute Mary M.2024-05-062024-05-062019-07Mogute, M.M. (2019). Gender-based Violence: An Impediment to Sustainable Development in Kenya. International Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences (IJRESS), 2 (3), 40-49.2617-4804https://repository.daystar.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4458Journal ArrticleGender-based violence (GBV) is the most pervasive and primitive form of violation of human rights (UN Women, 2016). Though, the international community anticipates that people should live free of fear, intimidation and abuse by the year 2030, there is evidence of increasing incidents of GBV in most communities in Kenya (National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC, 2016). Global statistics reveal that 35% of women are physically and/or sexually abused are in their lifetime, 47% are murdered compared to 6% men by intimate partners or family members, 55% are victims of forced labour and 98% are victims of sexual exploitation (UN Women, 2016). Besides GBV being an extreme violation of human rights, it results into huge economic costs (NGEC, 2016; UN Women, 2016). Global cost of GBV is approximately 2% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) which is an equivalent of 1.5 trillion (UN Women). This avoidable cost poses challenges to sustainable development at individual and community levels. Therefore, this paper generally endeavoured to establish how GBV hinders effective sustainable development in Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives; identify forms of GBV, establish prevalence rates of GBV in Kenya, explore causes of GBV, and suggest how GBV could be mitigated to promote healthy social functioning of individuals, families and communities towards inclusive, constructive and productive participation of men and women in sustainable development initiatives. Desk top research methodology was adopted, where existing literature on GBV was reviewed. The findings revealed that GBV is still a major concern in Kenya; physical, sexual, emotional, economic and harmful practices are the forms of violence common and are mainly perpetuated against women and girls; causes of GBV are based on; individual, relationship, community and society while the cost of GBV is approximated to be 1.1% of Kenya’s GDP. Mitigation strategies are; survivor-centered, communities-centered and right-based, upholding humanitarian philosophy and the principle of “Do No Harm”. Key recommendations are; create awareness of the irrational causes and negative effects of GBV on individuals and society, strict and punitive justice system to deter perpetuators of GBV and integrating GBV knowledge and skills in school curriculum as a preventive strategyenGender Based ViolenceWomenGirlsCostSustainable DevelopmentArticle