Women leaders to pursue legal reforms on femicide cases

Mueni Mutisya, gender, Anti-human trafficking, and child protection flanked by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, Women Rights Advisor in the Cabinet Harriet Chiggai, and Nominated senator Catherine Mumma(Right).[Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

A section of women leaders led by Presidential Advisor on Women's Rights, Harriet Chiggai have strongly condemned recent acts of violence meted against women in the country.

The leaders now say they will pursue all legal channels in Parliament to address the intimate partner violence cases.

Speaking on Friday, January 19 in Nairobi, Chiggai regretted the delay in addressing the worrying trend, promising to do everything within her power to see justice served.

"It is my commitment and that of the government to do all within our power first to nab the suspects but to also urge the judiciary to expedite cases of intimate partner violence," the presidential advisor said.

"I also commit to working with my sisters in Parliament to push for stiffer penalties as well as recognizing that intimate partner violence cases are acknowledged for their misogynistic nature".

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei reiterated her sentiments, vowing to also pursue legal reforms, to ensure incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are addressed at a national level.

The leaders also urged Kenyans against shaming and blaming victims and survivors.

Referring to social media comments, Chiggai disagreed with the public who think that the victims "deserved to be killed."

"I urge you to avoid victim blaming and shaming because no one deserves to be killed under any circumstance. By re-victimizing the dead we are akin to dancing on the graves of women who have fallen victim to people they trusted," she added.

The Presidential advisor has planned to embark on county visits to engage women and children aiming to come up with mitigative measures that the government can adopt to help them.