Elizabeth Koimett
Serenity Place Foundation, Kenya
Title: The Female of the Species-Addiction versus Trauma and the Need for Protection: A Kenyan perspective
Biography:
Elizabeth Koimett is the Founder of The Serenity Place Foundation comprising of The Serenity place Counselling and Treatment Centres, The Serenity Place Women Rescue and Trauma Centre and The Serenity Place Enterprises. She is the Author of Oxford University Press (East Africa). She is also the Member of IASL and ILA. Liz ia a Motivational Speaker and Certified Professional Mediator (MTI) East Africa Missionary. She did her Honorary PhD in Leadership - University of America Phd (Strategic Management) Moi University.
Abstract:
The female of the species has in many instances been referred to as the weaker sex. This has had severe implications which in most cases culminated in gender based violence, discrimination and harassment. In some Kenyan Communities, women are regarded as lesser beings that may not even be able to make decisions on their own. This sort of attitude relegates women to a position of helplessness and many resign themselves to a life of slavery. In almost all such instances, women who are addicted to drugs and alcohol have gone through years of abuse especially in the early stages of their lives. Abuse may in most cases include psychological, sexual, physical and emotional exploitation. lThis leads to a lot of emotional turmoil that later presents in addiction and suicidal tendencies. This is because as they grow older they become unable to handle the shame and the resultant self-hate and may in most cases become isolated, recluse and social misfits. Stephanie Covington (2008), states that ‘a history of being abused increases the likelihood that a woman will abuse alcohol and other drugs. This paper seeks to explore trauma in the light of addiction and justify the need for protection of such women. At the same time the paper will research the Women Integrated Treatment (WIT) model with a view to recommending its use to organizations that have been set up for the sole purpose of rehabilitating and empowering women. The paper will also explore possible theories underlying the Women Integrated Treatment model in order to develop a gender based, holistic treatment for women. The paper will propose specially to the Africans, possible criteria for therapy for women in addiction.