#MyDearBody #EndFemicideKe
Condemnation of Femicide in Kenya by women human rights defenders, young feminist activists and queer movements in Kenya.
We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the alarming rise in femicide cases plaguing our beloved nation, Kenya. Femicide, the targeted and violent killing of women and girls is a grave violation of human rights and a shameful reflection of Kenya’s societal shortcomings that demand urgent attention.
Femicide is the intentional killing of women or girls because of their gender, often as a result of deep-rooted gender-based violence and discrimination. It is a severe violation of human rights. It’s time Femicide becomes a crime that is punishable by death sentence because Kenya is becoming, if not yet, a country that condones and is okay with women, non-binary and people in feminine bodies including Trans Men and Women being murdered and perpetrators almost always, getting away with it. For example, the killing of Starlet Wahu Mwangi- was brutally murdered on the 3rd of January 2024 in an AirBnB apartment in South B. Wahu’s body was discovered in the Airbnb where she had checked in with the perpetrator John Matara. A postmortem examination conducted on Wahu’s lifeless body on Friday 5th Jan revealed horrifying details. She had been strangled, and a deep-cut wound on her thigh had severed a vein, leading to a substantial loss of blood that ultimately claimed her life.
On the 14th, the dismembered body of a young woman was found in a BnB in Roysambu, investigations are ongoing. It is said that the head of the young lady was missing at the crime scene.
In another incident a 25-year-old woman named Malkia was discovered lifeless on the 14th of January in Margariani Kilifi county, The residents of Margariani were stunned to find the deceased body in the rental house where she was believed to be residing with her significant other.
The recent surge in femicide incidents is not only disheartening but also indicative of a broader issue rooted in gender inequality, deeply entrenched anti-feminist cultural norms, and a lack of effective measures to protect women and girls in their diversity. Through Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, every Kenyan citizen regardless of gender, age or background has the right to freedom and security to live in this country. Every life lost to femicide represents a profound failure of the state and our society to uphold this law and many others stipulated by our Constitution and denies the safety and well-being of its female population who are already marginalized.
We call upon the Kenyan government through the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action led by Hon Aisha Jumwa to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis.
This includes:
- Writing femicide into criminal code. This acknowledges the misogynistic nature of femicide crime, but also that there will be more accurate data collection that can, in turn, lead to better policies and practices that protect the diversity of women. For example, countries in Latin America have adopted legislation that criminalizes femicide as a specific offence in their criminal codes.
- Swift Investigations and Prosecutions: The DCI to ensure that all the reported cases, from this year (2024) and years before (2019), are thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators swiftly brought to justice. By promptly identifying, apprehending, and bringing perpetrators to justice, we not only safeguard the rights and dignity of our citizens as outlined in Article 27 of the Kenyan Constitution, but also we send a clear message that our legal system is resolute in eliminating any and all acts of gender-based discrimination and violence.
- Strengthening Law Enforcement: Ensure that law enforcement agencies are equipped with the necessary resources and training to investigate and prosecute cases of femicide promptly and effectively.
- Legislative Reforms: The state Department for Gender and Affirmative Action led by Hon Aisha Jumwa to advocate for and enact stringent laws against gender-based violence, providing clear definitions of femicide and imposing severe penalties for perpetrators.
- Awareness and Education: Implement comprehensive educational programs aimed at challenging gender stereotypes, promoting respect for women’s rights, and fostering a culture of equality and non-violence.
- Support Services: Establish and enhance support services for survivors of gender-based violence, including accessible counselling, shelters, and legal assistance.
- Community Engagement: Foster community-based initiatives that empower local communities to combat gender-based violence actively, encouraging a collective responsibility to protect women and girls.
- Collaboration with Civil Society: Work collaboratively with non-governmental organisations, women’s rights groups, and other stakeholders who are actively involved in the fight against Gender-Based Violence to create a coordinated response and to develop holistic approaches to preventing and addressing femicide.
- Media of Kenya, in documenting femicide cases, let’s prioritize sensitivity over sensationalism, capturing the gravity without sharing inhumane scenes of the crime- respect the dignity of the victims and their families.
We stand united against femicide, recognizing that its eradication requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society spearheaded by an anti-femicide campaign from the Government. If we continue to let femicide As Kenyan activists, we demand a safer and more just society for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and all women in Kenya. It is time for decisive action to ensure that no woman or girl in Kenya lives in fear of losing her life simply because of her gender.
#MyDearBody #EndFemicideKe
This statement has been endorsed by;
Organizations
- Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI)
- Coalition For Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya
- Talanta Africa
- Dadas Rising Kwale
- The Queer Republic
- Pen Warriors Kenya
- OWomen’s Alliance for Justice
- Locha Gallery
- Dream Achievers Youth Organisation.
- Peperusha Binti
- Working Under The Rainbow
- Uzalendo Afrika Initiative
- Mirror Arts
- SUPERB CBO
- QWomenHRDS
- Udada Imara
- Pwani Feminist Futures Alliance
- Hope trans Initiative
- Kayole Community Justice Center
- CHADALA Group
- Healing Hearts CBO
- Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)
- Hope Rekindled Initiative CBO
- Feminist for peace rights and justice centre
- Wild feminists
- Coalition for Peace and Gender Champions in Kenya
- Womankind Worldwide
Individual activists
- Rachael Mwikali Mueni
- Melvine Obola
- Shyleen Momanyi
- Teresia Meshack
- Zawede Nzisa
- Grace Muraguri
- Asiya Mustafa
- Editar Ochieng
- Alfred Abuka
- Zaina Kombo
- Marylize Biubwa
- Phelister Abdalla
- Carolyne Njoroge
- Njeri Wanjeri Mwangi
- Irene Mwendwa