WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS TO STAGE ANTI-FEMICIDE DEMONSTRATIONS ON SATURDAY
"We strongly condemn the rise in femicide cases in the country and we mourn with all victims of this scourge and their families," the advocacy organization stated. The 151 women's organizations and concerned citizens declared their solidarity in the struggle for justice, equity, and gender parity.
23 people and 151 women's organizations in Kenya have backed a nationwide march against femicide.
The march will start at 10 a.m. in Nairobi's Jeevanjee Gardens and extend to other counties.
In solidarity with the women's organizations, Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace, and Dignity declared that femicide must stop.
"We strongly condemn the rise in femicide cases in the country and we mourn with all victims of this scourge and their families," the advocacy organization stated.
The 151 women's organizations and concerned citizens declared their solidarity in the struggle for justice, equity, and gender parity.
"We vehemently denounce the worrisome surge in femicide incidents besetting our dear country. Together, they declared, "We stand in solidarity with all femicide victims and their families, survivors of violence against women and intimate partner abuse, and all grieving women in Kenya."
These comprise People with Disabilities, Human Rights Defenders, and Feminists. Women who work in the unorganized sector and those who are survivors of gender-based violence, human trafficking, and torture.
The women's organizations declared that they vehemently oppose the femicide that is afflicting the nation.
"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," the organizations representing women stated.
They claimed that because femicide is such a serious violation of human rights, it should be classified as a national emergency and made a separate, punishable offense under Kenya's penal code.
"The recent cases of femicide, such as the brutal murder of Starlet Wahu Mwangi, the dismemberment of Rita Waeni, and the tragic death of Malkia, are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader issue," they stated.
According to them, the examples demonstrate the pervasiveness of gender inequity, the ingrained patriarchal attitudes, and the dearth of effective policies aimed at safeguarding women and girls in their diversity.
Every Kenyan citizen, regardless of gender, age, or origin, has the right to freedom and security, as stated in Article 29 of the Kenyan Constitution.
"Every life lost to femicide represents a profound failure of the state and our society to uphold the law as stipulated by our Constitution and International Human Rights instruments ratified by Kenya," they stated.
They urged President William Ruto to declare Kenyan femicide a national emergency and a security concern.
Additionally, they urge Gender CS Aisha Jumwa and Interior CS Kindiki Kithure to respond to this situation head-on.
"We call for a more equitable and safe environment for all Kenyan women. It's time to take decisive action to guarantee that no girl or woman in Kenya has to live in constant fear of dying because of her gender," the statement read.
"We emphasize that femicide affects women in all their diversities, including cisgender, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and queer women, sex workers, women with disabilities, domestic workers, women in the informal sector, and women of all religious and ethnic backgrounds."
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