The rising cases of femicide in Kenya continue to impact negatively to the gains made in combating gender-based violence. In recent years, Kenya has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of women killed often by close family friends, husbands, former lovers or even people very well known to them within the community. These brutal murders point to a deeper societal crisis emanating from male dominated norms, society failures to call out such issues and normalizing violence against women.
Femicide, the killing of women and girls often based on basely reasons or because of their gender has reached alarming rates. According to Africa Data Hub, there were over 930 cases reported between 2016 and 2024. Last year alone, Kenya recorded 172 femicide cases, a sharp increase 152 in 2023 which is the highest figure in the last five years. Even more disturbing, ninety-seven cases were reported between January and March this year. The murder of a university student, whose body was discovered in a water storage tank, is only one of many cases that reflect the magnitude of the crisis. All these cases are a clear indication that no woman is truly safe.
While social media is often awash with femicide cases, many of them remain unreported due to stigma, fear and society altitudes on what people will think and feel. Despite public outcry, responses from the institutions that should be protecting women and taking actions remain painfully inadequate. In most cases, victims are blamed instead of getting protected while investigations take long leading to few on no convictions. The persistence harmful society beliefs and tendencies enables perpetrators to act with impunity, while survivors are left with no support.
Though femicide represents an extreme form of gender-based violence, it is one among many forms of violence meted on women. Millions of women across Kenya live under constant fear, enduring a myriad of abuses from catcalling, workplace harassment, domestic violence, and intimate partner mistreatment. The psychological torture often takes a toll on their mental well being. Consistent stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders are common outcomes for women living in an environment where their safety is not guaranteed.
The sad reality is that Kenya lacks the necessary resources to cater for mental health which would help to respond and support women with mental health issues. The health systems are under funded and under resourced and do not have the capacity to address cases of survivors of gender-based violence cases. The existing stigmatization around mental illness leaves many women to silently suffer and live in isolation. If such cases go unattended, they often undermine women’s ability to heal and contribute positively to society and their families.
Ignoring femicide and mental health often carries long-term consequences as it interferes with the ability of the women to face demanding situations at work, handle their relationships well or even interfere with taking care of their children which then brings a ripple effect to the families and communities. Gender based violence leads to low productivity, increase in the cost of health leading to a huge economic and social burden.
While Kenya has made substantial progress in legislation and promoting gender equality, implementation has remained a weak link. As a country, we can draw best practice and inspiration from countries such as Spain where an integrated approach featuring gender-based violence courts, survivor support services, and legal protection has led to a significant drop in femicide cases.
The government must invest in comprehensive, survivor-centered mental health care and offer support to survivors of Femicide and Gender based violence. This would include access to counselling, trauma, therapy support services. Learning institutions, companies, religious institutions, and the media need to play a role in shaping societal attitudes and calling out issues of Gender based Violence that come to their attention. Conversations on behaviours rooted in traditional male roles, relationships, gender equity and equality need to be brought to the fore for open discussions.
It remains important to empower women economically to ensure that they do not remain closed in abusive relationships or environments due to lack of financial independence. Equipping women with financial literacy skill, training them on how to be financially independent and offering entrepreneurial skills will give women the necessary tools to claim their positions in the communities and leave peacefully.
Gender-based violence is not only a women’s issue but men have a significant role to play. It continues to be a national issue that requires collective responsibility. As a society, we need to raise boys who understand emotional expressions and respect women to enable us to mentor a generation that will advocate for a systemic change.
Even as the country seeks way to address the femicide issues, Kenyan women continue to condemn empty promises. They are calling for actionable policies and laws, accountability, and cultural transformation. Addressing femicide and women’s mental health remains morally, economically, and socially necessary for a better future.
The recent formation of the Technical Working Committee on Gender-Based Violence is commendable and a first step in the right direction. However, these needs to must be followed by bold, sustained actions to enable women to live free from violence and fear to thrive in a society that truly values their contribution. Time for action is now.
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