Breaking the Silence: Can Kenya fulfil its promise to protect women?

As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign commences, the growing crisis of violence against women and girls in Kenya raises an urgent question: What more must be done to uphold the safety and dignity of women and girls? Despite global and local efforts, many still face unfulfilled promises of protection, leaving them vulnerable to escalating threats like femicide. The National Police Service recently reported 339 femicide cases between August and October 2024. These numbers are not just statistics; they are broken families, shattered communities, and lives lost to a preventable epidemic. The alarming statistic emphasizes the urgent need for action to protect survivors and prevent further occurrences.