Kenya Women Parliamentarians Call for Urgent Action to Address Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

 

Leah Sankaire, National Chairperson KEWOPA

The Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA) has issued a set of critical recommendations aimed at combating the escalating crisis of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya. In a statement to the Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide, KEWOPA has called for immediate and comprehensive action to address the alarming rise in GBV cases across the country.

KEWOPA’s recommendations include a thorough review of current GBV laws, with a particular focus on emerging threats such as digital GBV, including cyberstalking and doxing. Recognizing the evolving nature of abuse, KEWOPA stressed the need to adapt legal frameworks to effectively address the digital dimension of violence.

“We must ensure that our legal systems evolve with the times,” said a KEWOPA spokesperson. “We are witnessing an alarming increase in digital forms of GBV, and it’s crucial that our laws protect survivors from all forms of abuse, including online harassment.”

The group also called for substantial improvements in the justice system to ensure that survivors of GBV have better access to justice. Key proposals include simplifying the reporting processes, enhancing the collection of evidence, and accelerating the prosecution of offenders. Furthermore, KEWOPA recommended the establishment of gender-responsive courts and a comprehensive coordination of GBV data to monitor and tackle the issue more effectively.

In addition, KEWOPA has pushed for the operationalization of the Victim Protection Board and Trust Fund, urging the government to take its responsibility seriously in empowering survivors. The organization emphasized that the government must fulfill its role in supporting survivors through practical measures and resources.

KEWOPA’s call for action also highlighted the need to address life-threatening social norms and misogynistic attitudes that contribute to GBV. The group demanded stronger women empowerment programs and a concerted effort to eradicate harmful cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequality and violence.

“We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the dangerous social norms and growing misogyny in our society,” the spokesperson added. “We need to take bold and decisive steps to empower women and eliminate harmful practices that put their lives at risk.”

With these recommendations, KEWOPA is urging the government, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations to come together and take immediate action to halt the rise in GBV and femicide, and to protect the rights and well-being of women across Kenya.

April 08, 2025