Advocates are urging the Kenyan authorities to promptly look into and bring legal action against instances of femicide, following the savage killings of two women.
Audrey Mugeni, co-founder of Femicide Count Kenya, a non-governmental organization that tracks the annual number of women killed in the country, stated that we are facing a national crisis and our efforts to protect women are inadequate.
In the past five years, Femicide Count Kenya documented 152 homicides, the most significant number recorded. According to the nonprofit organization, which keeps track of reported incidents, the true number of killings is probably even greater.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been at least four reported cases of femicide. Two of these cases have garnered public attention, including the killing of 26-year-old Starlet Wahu on January 4th. Wahu was fatally stabbed by a man who is believed to be affiliated with a group of criminals that use violent means to extort and sexually assault women they meet on dating websites.
A male individual is currently being held by the police as investigations remain ongoing.
Just 14 days after Wahu’s remains were found, another female was given drugs and cut up by a man she had planned to see in a leased apartment. The pieces of her body were then thrown away in plastic bags.
According to a national survey conducted in 2022, over a third of women in Kenya have reported being victims of physical violence at some point in their lives. Despite having robust laws and policies addressing gender-based violence, rights groups argue that their enforcement is inadequate.
Mugeni emphasized the importance of listening to women who report experiencing violence. She explained that femicides typically do not occur in isolation, but are often preceded by a series of events. Therefore, it is essential to pay closer attention to these warning signs.
Femicide Count Kenya was established in 2019 and has documented instances of women being murdered through stabbing, beating, mutilation, strangulation, and burning. The majority of the victims were in the age range of 21 to 30.
The recent killings have caused a lot of anger on social media, with people using hashtags like #StopKillingWomen and #EndFemicideKe to demand an end to violence against women. Unfortunately, there were also instances of blaming the victims, discussions on the safety of short-term rentals where the murders took place, and suggestions that women should be more careful to prevent attacks. Women’s groups argue that these attitudes only make femicide seem normal.
The statement shared by the Kenyan feminist group, Feminists in Kenya, on X implies that women are to blame for not being safe enough and deserving harm. However, it is important to recognize that women already take numerous measures to protect themselves in a society where violence against them is a constant threat. Despite these efforts, violence still occurs. The root issue is not women’s failure to keep themselves safe, but rather men’s actions of perpetrating violence.
On Wednesday, Femicide Count Kenya released a statement condemning the government’s lack of action. The statement stated that the government cannot continue to be silent and must take responsibility for their inaction. It also pointed out that Kenya has signed international agreements to combat gender-based violence and even the president has promised to protect women’s lives. However, these promises hold no weight as femicide continues to be a prevalent issue. The statement called for immediate enforcement and accountability.
The non-governmental organization dedicated to women’s rights, the Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness, has joined in urging the government to take action against those responsible for femicide. They expressed their deep concern and shock at the alarming trend of violence. Feminist groups in the nation plan to organize demonstrations this month to demand an end to these senseless murders.
Mugeni stated that this occurrence is frequent, but not receiving enough attention. It is important to acknowledge and address this issue in order to fix the flaws in our society.
Source: theguardian.com
