The Interfaith leaders under the banner of christian Aid have today held a round table discussions in Nairobi to address the rising cases of femicide and other forms of gender based violence in Kenya.The alarming rise in femicide cases in Kenya. Femicide, the intentional killing of women based on their gender, is a grave violation of human rights and an affront to the values taht humanity embody the image of God.
Speaking at the Desmond Tutu centre in Nairobi the leaders have cited several cases of femicide that of January 4, 2024,stabbing to death of 26-year-old Starlet Wahu a popular Instagram figure in a short-term rental apartment On the 14th January days after the brutal murder and dismemberment of a 20-year-old Rita Waeni in Nairobi with her remains scattered by the killer and some stuffed in a plastic bag which sent shockwaves throughout our communities.
Femicide Count Kenya which monitors killings reported in local news, recorded 58 deaths labelled as femicides between January and October 2022. In 2023, the organisation recorded at least 152 killings – the highest in the past five years and 14 cases have already been reported in January 2024.
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) indicate that over 40 percent of women have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In all these cases, the blame has shifted from perpetrators to the victims. This staggering number only represents cases reported in the media and doesn’t represent the true count as on average a woman or girl is killed every day, often by a close family member. Violence against women and girls is violence against the entire humankind, and should have no place in Kenya or anywhere in the world. It is disheartening to witness the loss of innocent lives, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by these tragic events.
Society’s response to gender-based violence can be enhanced by understanding some of the key drivers of the epidemic. The sacred texts are clear that we must seek knowledge (Baha’u’llah Kitab-i-Aqdas, pp 51-52; Hosea 4: 6 and the Quran 20: 114). Having a fuller understanding of the complexity of gender-based violence will enable us to develop and implement more effective responses.
The government of Kenya should hasten to make efforts to bring all perpetrators to Justice and ensure progress towards implementation of the Sexual Offences Act (2006), the National Policy on Prevention and Response to Gender based Violence 2014 outcomes, and the enforcement of all laws and policies that respond to Gender Based Violence. All relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government must task to work in concert with other institutions including law enforcement authorities in mitigating the heinous acts of femicide and other gender-based violence.
They have called on the government to enforce treaties it has ratified on this issue such as The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, (Maputo Protocol) and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) among others.This as the Interfaith commit to continue educating congregations and communities on the root causes of femicide and other forms of GBV, dismantling harmful stereotypes, offering mentorship to boychild during cultural forums such as rites of passage to change the perception of young men towards women and promoting healthy relationships founded on mutual respect.
The roundtable have resolved to commit to promote theologies that affirm the dignity and equality of all genders.Support Services, commit to create awareness on existing support services (hotlines and safe houses) commit to establish and promote accessible support services, including pastoral counselling, psycho-social intervention and safe spaces, to aid survivors and their families in the aftermath of femicide and other forms of GBV.
In a bid to strengthening legal frameworks the Interfaith have committed to continuous engagement with policymakers to focus on strengthening the legal framework and ensuring its Kenyans have been urged to irrespective of religious affiliation join hands in the fight against femicide.This will create a responsible society where women can live free from fear, violence, and discrimination.
