A descriptive phenomenological study of school-related gender-based violence: lived experiences of symbolic violence, harassment, and systemic complicity in a mixed secondary school in Nairobi, Kenya

In this school, participants described SRGBV as operating through interwoven structural and cultural mechanisms, with symbolic violence central to the internalization of harm and reproduction of inequalities. While these insights may resonate with wider patterns, they remain context-specific and exploratory. Addressing SRGBV requires interventions targeting custodial and peer complicity and the cultural normalization of violence. A holistic approach that combines structural reform, cultural transformation, and psychological care is critical to fostering equitable educational spaces.