ANALYZE AT LEAST FOUR RECENT CASES/ INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IN KENYA.
Introduction
Recent cases and incidents of violence against women and girls in Kenya have been alarming, with a notable rise in femicide and other forms of gender-based violence. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UN women, current and former intimate partners are the most likely perpetrators of femicide, accounting for an average of 55% of all intimate partners and family-related killings.
A study conducted by the African Data Hub estimated approximately 500 female victims between 2016 and 2024. It has become a reality that at least ten women will be killed in the first month of 2024, which has intensified to become a troubling trend. Such homicides are usually the fatal endpoint of a pattern of physical or sexual violence fuelled by social norms that enforce male control or power over women. In Kenya, 41% of married women have experienced physical violence compared to 20% of those who have not been married.
According to UN Women, more than 245 million women and girls aged 15 and older experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner every year, while four in five women and girls live in countries without robust legal protection against violence. In total, 614 million women live in conflict-affected areas and are exposed to violence. This figure increased by 50 percent since 2017.
The loss of each case has been a stark indicator of the systematic issues we are striving to dismantle and also a stark indicator of deeper societal issues that perpetuate violence against women. This incidence continues to occur despite the government’s initiatives, which have called for a critical examination of the root cause and a re-evaluation of strategies to combat femicide. Femicide has become common in Kenya, where it targets women in violent killings that have revealed a deep-seated issue of GBV and discrimination. Recent cases include the brutal murder of a young woman in Roysambu. These killings are intentional and often driven by GBV and discrimination, which highlights the pressing need for systematic change.
Femicide
It pertains to the killing of females based on their gender. As of 2022, over one-third of Kenyan women reported having experienced physical assault, which has led to an outbreak that has become a national concern. In January 2024, despite the nation’s efforts to prevent gender-based violence, multiple women were brutally murdered. Among them was Waeni Njau, a fourth-year student whose broken-down body was discovered in a short-term rental apartment in Nairobi. The most recent murder was the brutal murder of 26-year-old Scarlet Wahu in the same short-term rental apartment. Christine Aume and an unidentified lady in Kiambu County sparked widespread demonstrations and the beginning of other initiatives as a result of the horrific killings of women.
Domestic Violence
Due to discrimination from those in authority, mainly at police stations, many people are afraid to seek help, which is why this issue is still substantially underreported. Over 40% of women have suffered intimate partner abuse, either physically or sexually, according to statistics, which provide a gloomy picture of the situation.
Since women predominate in cases of gender-based violence, it is important to inform them of what to do in such circumstances and to advocate for the government’s increased provision of resources and training to law enforcement organizations to address better gender-based violence that is enabled by technology.
When a sixteen-year-old girl was tossed into a 3.5-meter (12-foot) toilet in 2013, she was badly beaten, gang-raped by six men, and left for dead. The girl had been walking home from her grandfather’s burial. After receiving an order to mow a lawn for a few weeks, the rapists were subjected to considerable anger, protests, and international condemnation. As a result, three of the men were eventually sentenced to 15 years in jail. Nevertheless, the individuals were spared prison time since the verdict and punishments were successfully appealed.
Another example is the case of Connie Muuru, who had little faith in the government and spent years pursuing justice for the 2016 murder of 29-year-old Julie Sharon Muthoni. When Muuru, the mother, came to the hospital, she was already in the mortuary and had allegedly been battered by her lover before she passed away. She followed up with the police to seek justice, but they persistently informed her later that her partner had left the nation. Although she struggled with sadness, she ultimately decided to put her health first and ceased cooperating with the police. She had meetings with several people who had also survived GBV or had lost loved ones to suicide. As a result, they decided to form a support group consisting of other mothers who had lost children to murder.
Intimate partner violence
It describes emotional, sexual, or physical abuse inflicted by a spouse or partner, whether they are married or not. Sexual intimacy is not necessary for this kind of violence, which typically happens in same-sex or heterosexual relationships. It is widely acknowledged that women bear the majority of the burden of partner violence worldwide at the hands of males, even though violence can occur in both male-female and male-male relationships.
Among the heartbreaking statistics is the case of the well-known women, for instance. Agnes Tirop, a well-known Olympic runner, was killed by stabbing and beating in 2021, and the only person who may have been involved was her partner. The defendant was detained for two years before his sentence expired, and because of his good behavior during that time, he was freed on bond in late 2023 as we await trial.
Harmful Practices
As of 2022, 650 million girls and women had been forced into marriage, according to Exodus Road, a non-profit dedicated to combating modern-day slavery. There is a variety of pressure within this dynamic, ranging from physical aggression to psychological strain. It’s a type of marriage in which one gets married against their will and without their consent, with no way out.
The biggest issues that girls and women face are harmful cultural practices that deprive them of bodily autonomy and educational possibilities, such as forced marriage, child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
One victim of forced marriage is Dianah Kamande. When the husband arrived home one night, he intended to murder her, the kids, and himself. The children were unharmed, but she managed to survive with 21 slashes on her head and face. After the mother and kids were saved, he remained in the house and killed himself by stabbing himself in the stomach. She became a widow at a young age and the mother of two children as a result of that occurrence.
Participating in the UN Human Rights expert workshop, she discussed the grave repercussions of forced marriage for women and girls. The goal of this session is to eradicate the detrimental cultural customs. In Geneva, Switzerland, this workshop brought together activists, survivors of forced marriage, and specialists from the international community.
Forced marriage is a detrimental practice that disproportionately impacts women and girls worldwide and is considered a violation of human rights, according to UN Human Rights. The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness of the various factors that contribute to forced marriage’s complexity as well as the necessity for context-specific laws and policies.
Public Response
Thousands of women and men protested in January in Nairobi and other major Kenyan cities, demanding an end to VAW and femicide in reaction to the increase in homicides. This demonstration emphasizes the necessity for action as well as the public’s growing concern about the problem. Due to the latest murder, which caused anger on social media, protestors held placards with signs like #We are human beings #speak their names #and stop Killing us #and #end femicide KE #. But the incidents also sparked discussions about the safety of short-term rentals where the ladies died, victim blaming, and recommendations for women to take more safety measures to prevent attacks.
Calls for Legislation:
The incidents have led to calls for a law specifically addressing femicide. This reflects the urgent need for legislative measures that can provide better protection for women and girls and hold perpetrators accountable.
Impact on Society:
A general atmosphere of fear and insecurity as well as the victims and their families have been negatively impacted by the surge in femicide instances. It has also prompted debate over the need of stronger measures to discourage similar violence and the efficacy of current legal frameworks.
These recent occurrences highlight how serious the issue is and how urgently gender-based violence in Kenya has to be addressed. This entails putting stronger legal frameworks into place, raising public awareness, and giving victims and survivors support and resources.
Similarities:
All these cases are driven by harmful beliefs and attitudes about women and girls, reflecting the broader issue of gender inequality in Kenya.
Many cases likely go unreported due to stigma, fear of reprisal, lack of trust in authorities, or limited access to reporting mechanisms. The police always ignore when the cases have been reported and sometimes, they take longer periods before they address them fully i.e. in the case of Muuru they ignored cases when it comes to women and girls abuse and murders.”
All forms of GBV cause physical, emotional, and psychological harm, hindering individual well-being and limiting opportunities.
Differences:
Recent cases included femicide (murder of women due to their gender), domestic violence, and harmful cultural practices like FGM. Each type has specific dynamics and consequences.
Recent cases involved intimate partners, strangers, and community members, highlighting the diverse contexts and perpetrators of GBV.
While all GBV is unacceptable, some cases involve extreme brutality and life-altering consequences for victims and their families, psychological trauma,
Some cases receive significant media attention due to specific circumstances, while others remain largely unknown, highlighting the challenge of raising awareness for all GBV experiences.
GBV is a widespread issue affecting women and girls of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and regions in Kenya.
Tackling GBV requires addressing root causes like gender inequality, harmful cultural norms, and weak legal frameworks.
The Society
The recent murders triggered widespread protests demanding decisive action from the government. Civil society organizations and activists advocate for legislative reforms, improved law enforcement, and comprehensive support services for survivors. The campaign is mainly used to educate the public about the prevalence and consequences of femicide and promote a culture that rejects violence against women and challenges harmful gender norms.
The creation of awareness against femicide is not just a matter of choice but it’s a moral obligation. the society and community decided to hold campaigns because they were tired of seeing how these cases were escalating. The community members need to be engaged in conversation about gender-based violence, harmful cultural practices, intimate partner violence, and femicide where they need to take a stand against violence and be role models for positive behaviour in society
Government Initiatives:
To solve the femicide epidemic, the Kenyan government has taken action, including the commissioning of 12 sexual and gender-based violence courthouses in 2023. However, activists and supporters contend that these steps are insufficient, pointing to the excessive backlog in these courts as well as the dearth of trauma-informed and gender-sensitive strategies that may provide survivors with better support.
The National Policy on GBV and the Sexual Offenses Act are two examples of actions that the Kenyan government has put into action, although there are still issues with execution and budget allocation.
UN Women has spearheaded many efforts to stop GBV and femicide in Kenya, such as giving police officers specific training. where they receive training on identifying potential femicide indicators and the particular difficulties faced by women while advocating for law enforcement personnel to prioritize victim care while identifying warning indicators of possible femicide and the particular difficulties faced by women. The government should ask the court the court to expedite the hearing of domestic abuse cases and reconsider the granting of cash bail to provide victims with prompt justice.
To handle incidents of violence against women with tact and competence, law enforcement personnel ought to possess adequate training. They must guarantee that those who commit offenses face consequences via just and effective legal channels.
Education on healthy relationships and consent should be incorporated into school curricula, and the government should make sure that schools run programs that challenge prejudices and advance gender equality from a young age.
Under its global co-leadership of Generation Equality’s action coalition, the Kenyan government pledged to eradicate gender-based violence by 2026. Kenya also has a strong legislative framework with numerous legislations about GBV.
In conclusion, it is imperative that we all take care to prevent the normalizing of VAW and girls and that we work together as a country to create an atmosphere that values and protects women and girls. To rectify this human rights violation, urgent full action is required. GBV is a severe and urgent problem in Kenya that needs to be addressed right away, along with femicide, through coordinated efforts. The survivors need access to comprehensive support services, including counselling, medical care, legal aid, and safe spaces. Violence is a serious public health issue that is difficult to understand but it is crucial that public health professionals comprehend the wide range of violence and can be able to pinpoint the key areas for effective violence prevention and its negative effects on society and health.
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