The sudden rise in women killings in Nairobi and Kenya is a multifaceted issue with various underlying causes. The surge in femicide has been attributed to factors such as gender-based violence, ineffective government policies, and a lack of comprehensive data collection on these crimes.
Kenya, like many African countries, has adopted treaties and national laws to address gender-based violence, including the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Sexual Offences Act. However, activists argue that these policies are scarcely effective in curbing the rising femicide rates.
The lack of accurate data on femicide is also a significant challenge. The Kenyan government does not systematically collect figures on women murders, making it difficult to fully understand the scale of the problem. For instance, Femicide Count Kenya, a monitoring organization, recorded 58 deaths labeled as femicides between January and October 2022. In 2023, the organization reported at least 152 killings, the highest in the past five years. This lack of comprehensive data hinders the development of targeted interventions to address the root causes of femicide.
![Femicide](https://i0.wp.com/smartie.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/images-25-1.jpeg?resize=580%2C290&ssl=1)
The surge in femicide cases has also been linked to intimate partner violence, with a majority of the cases being perpetrated by men who knew the women. This highlights the urgent need for effective measures to address gender-based violence and provide support for at-risk individuals. The recent protests in Nairobi and other cities in Kenya have brought the issue of femicide to the forefront, emphasizing the critical importance of implementing comprehensive strategies to tackle this systemic problem.
Possible Solutions
To prevent femicide in Kenya, several measures can be taken:
- Improve data collection: The Kenyan government should systematically collect figures on women murders to better understand the scale of the problem. Organizations like Femicide Count Kenya can help monitor and report on these cases, but the government should also take an active role in data collection and analysis.
- Strengthen laws and policies: Kenya should enforce existing laws and policies addressing gender-based violence, such as the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Sexual Offences Act. The government should also invest in specialized gender desks within the police force to better address and investigate cases of femicide.
- Raise awareness and education: Public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate the public about the dangers of femicide and the importance of reporting such crimes. This can include workshops, seminars, and community outreach programs.
- Support for at-risk individuals: The government should provide support for at-risk individuals, such as women in abusive relationships or those who have experienced sexual violence. This can include counseling, safe shelters, and legal assistance.
- Engage men and boys: Men and boys should be encouraged to speak out against femicide and to support women’s rights. This can include public campaigns, community outreach programs, and educational initiatives.
- Address intimate partner violence: A majority of femicide cases are perpetrated by men who knew the women and were in intimate relationships with them. Addressing intimate partner violence is crucial in preventing femicide. This can include education, support for victims, and stricter enforcement of laws against domestic violence.
By implementing these measures, Kenya can work towards preventing femicide and ensuring the safety of women and girls.