New book seeks to empower children to stop sexual abuse

At just five years old, Lydia Matioli’s world was shattered when she was sexually abused by a trusted neighbor, a pastor in her community in Kibera.

The trauma left her silent for years, unable to comprehend or speak about the abuse she endured. Now at 29, Matioli, has transformed her pain into purpose.

 She is not only a survivor, but a powerful advocate for children’s rights, dedicating her life to protecting youngsters from the horrors she once faced. Matioli is the author of Pendo’s Power, a book designed to educate children aged 5 to 18 about body safety and the power of their voice in the face of potential abuse.

Through this book, she aims to arm children with the knowledge she wished she had as a child - a resource that could have helped her recognize, prevent, and report the abuse she suffered.

“My advocacy efforts are fueled by my past experience as a child survivor of sexual abuse; and my present experiences as a mother and a child protection advocate,” she shared.

“Unless we collectively disrupt the systems that perpetuate violence against children, it is going to be challenging to end it,” she adds.

The book tells the story of a six-year-old girl named Pendo, who lives in Kibera slums and has been taught by her parents about the importance of knowing body autonomy and boundaries. When one of Pendo’s friends is abused, she uses her knowledge to help bring the perpetrator to justice.

The book is child-friendly, using age-appropriate language and engaging illustrations to communicate its key message. It also includes a companion guide for parents and caregivers, offering tips on discussing these sensitive topics with children in a way that empowers them rather than instilling fear.

Matioli’s commitment to this cause extends beyond her book. As the Programmes and Partnership Director at Freely in Hope, an international organization dedicated to ending sexual violence in Kenya and Zambia, she works tirelessly to provide holistic academic scholarships, leadership opportunities, and platforms for survivors to create initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of sexual abuse.

Her efforts have reached over 7,000 children in Kenya. Freely’s programs target age groups from 4 to 18 years and have been delivered through schools, children’s homes, and churches.

The organisation is focused on expanding its reach to northern regions such as Turkana, Lodwar, and Samburu.

Matioli’s work aligns with a global movement to address the alarming rates of violence against children.

She is a member of the Global Survivor Council, a coalition of survivors, advocates, and experts who have come together to call for urgent government action ahead of the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia next month. According to the World Health Organization, one in two children worldwide—over a billion minors—experience violence each year.

This coalition, supported by key players such as actors Forest Whitaker, Gillian Anderson, and Will Poulter, has released an open letter urging world leaders to take decisive action at the upcoming conference.

 The letter, which Matioli has signed, emphasizes the need for government-led initiatives to ensure safe and supportive environments for children at home and in schools.

The coalition argues that violence against children is not just a social issue but a global crisis that demands immediate attention.

“Half of all children are subject to cruel acts of violence every year, yet the issue does not receive the attention, funding, or political prioritization it deserves and so desperately needs,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organization, in a statement.

 “Governments worldwide must now seize this important opportunity to make that change a reality for the billion children on this planet who experience harm yearly,” the statement adds.

The coalition has released an open letter urging world leaders to attend the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, set to take place in Colombia next month.

The letter emphasizes the need for immediate action to implement evidence-based strategies that can reduce violence by up to 50 percent in the short to medium term.

The Champions for Childhood coalition stresses that violence against children not only leaves lasting scars on its victims but also undermines investments in their future, including education and mental health.