- The stark reality of femicide, the deliberate killing of women because of their gender, persists as a harrowing issue worldwide.
- Women in Kenya, akin to their counterparts worldwide, navigate several challenges that render them disproportionately susceptible to violence.
- Each life lost is not just a statistic but a huge loss to families, communities, and societies as a whole.
While the upbringing of girls is typically different from that of boys, we often blame the girls and women when they get into the snares of their male counterparts without necessarily blaming the boys and men who ensnared them, or even murdered them.
By blaming girls for expressing their sexuality or for situations they find themselves in, society perpetuates harmful stereotypes and attitudes that have often led to violence against women and girls, and shielded most boys and men, the major perpetrators.
The stark reality of femicide, the deliberate killing of women because of their gender, persists as a harrowing issue worldwide.
In Kenya, this insidious phenomenon has cast a shadow over the lives of countless women, highlighting systemic failures and deep-rooted societal attitudes that perpetuate violence against them.
The numbers speak volumes. According to the National Crime Reporting System, over 40% of Kenyan Women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence at least once in their lifetimes.
Shockingly, one in four women has experienced physical violence within the last year alone. These statistics not only paint a grim picture but also highlight the urgent need for concerted action to combat femicide and its underlying causes.
The truth
In the wake of femicide cases, the insidious art of victim shaming comes to the fore, exacerbating the anguish experienced by survivors and their loved ones.
Social media platforms, often touted as spaces for connectivity and support, too frequently serve as breeding grounds for judgment and condemnation.
Victim blaming permeates these digital spaces, reflecting a reluctance to challenge comforting worldviews and confront uncomfortable truths.
Society’s reflexive tendency to pass judgment and assign blame further compounds the injustice faced by victims.
“No one deserves to die, for whatever reason a woman should not die and we should stop blaming women because we cannot punish them or correct morality by killing them,” Sharon Kemuma, Founder of Shakem Foundation, shared.
In the face of shocking unfairness, there arises a perverse impulse to rationalize the wrongdoing by scrutinizing the actions of the victim.
The media plays a key role in perpetuating this cycle, sensationalizing cases and disseminating narratives steeped in victim-blaming attitudes and language.
Consequently, the public discourse surrounding femicide is marred by apathy and indifference, with scant pressure exerted to support victims or hold perpetrators accountable.
Despite the increasing toll of violence against women, as evidenced by the estimated 500 Kenyan women murdered between 2017 and 2024, investigative platforms like Africa Uncensored and Africa Data Hub reveal the troubling lack of concerted action to address this crisis.
Not moral but human rights issue
Delving beneath the surface of this menace shows a reality rife with gender-based discrimination, toxic masculinity, and a pervasive culture of impunity.
Women in Kenya, akin to their counterparts worldwide, navigate several challenges that render them disproportionately susceptible to violence.
Whether dealing with domestic abuse, sexual assault, or homicide, the breadth of harm inflicted upon women is both profound and intolerable.
“About 542 deaths since 2016 and of those are by husbands at home. Out of these number only 99 women have been killed by strangers, so most women are being killed by people that they know,” Catherine Kamau, Actress and Social Media Influencer, shared.
Yet, femicide goes beyond individual acts of violence but reflects entrenched societal attitudes that systematically devalue women and erode their autonomy.
In a nation where patriarchal norms continue to hold sway, women often find themselves relegated to the margins, their voices silenced and their rights disregarded.
This systemic inequity perpetuates cycles of violence and also obstructs efforts to secure justice and restitution for victims.
Breaking the silence
Amidst the adversity, there are rays of hope piercing through the darkness as courageous women and collective brave voices rise to challenge the status quo and demand change.
The battle against femicide is not waged in isolation but is a collective movement pushed by the bravery and resilience of activists, survivors, and allies alike.
Throughout Kenya, grassroots initiatives are gaining traction, amplifying the voices of those silenced for too long and holding perpetrators to account.
Breaking the silence surrounding femicide is key to reshaping societal attitudes and fostering a culture of accountability.
On January 27, 2024, a groundswell of solidarity happened in peaceful protests across regions of the country, including Nairobi, Garissa, and Mombasa.
Men and women alike joined forces, highlighting a unified stance against gender-based violence.
Njeri Migwi, Founder of Usikimye, delivered a resounding message at the march, “Our voices as women must be heard. The killing of women is intolerable, and it will no longer go unchallenged.
Today, with a united voice, we demand that the government listens. To the perpetrators, your anonymity is over; we hold you accountable. We refuse to be silent. Women’s lives are non-negotiable.”
Such marches of solidarity highlight a growing movement dedicated to effecting tangible change.
From grassroots mobilization to legislative advocacy, concerted efforts at all levels are indispensable in dismantling the structures of oppression and creating a society where every woman can live freely, and feel safe.
Empowering the future
Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing how the world perceives that strength.
Empowering women is not merely a matter of protecting their physical safety but also of upholding their inherent dignity and worth.
Education, economic opportunity, and access to resources are fundamental pillars of empowerment that can help the structures of patriarchy, oppression, and inequality.
“I would highly advise women as much as possible even if that man loves you, no matter what, the more financially stable and economically empowered you are the safer you’ll be. Otherwise, we’ll remain in this climate,” Murugi Munyi, Content Creator, urged.
By investing in women’s rights and fostering environments of equality and respect, we can create a future where femicide is unthinkable and inconceivable.
This is a call to every woman, every government, every man, and every human able to drive change to stand in solidarity with the many women who have been killed in Kenya and around the world.
Each life lost is not just a statistic but a huge loss to families, communities, and societies as a whole. Let’s challenge injustice and build a world where all women can live free from violence and fear.
The fight against femicide is far from over.
Yet, with determination and collective action, we can turn the tide, raise our voices, and actively challenge the pervasive norms that perpetuate violence against women and create a future where every woman is respected, valued, and protected.
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Hold ourselves and others accountable, refuse to tolerate gender-based violence in any form, dismiss reckless talks dismissing the murders, and tirelessly work to dismantle the systemic injustices that threaten the lives of women.
Enough is enough –stop killing us.
