A woman a day: War against gender violence 'epidemic' needs all hands on deck

The harrowing reality of femicide incidence in Kenya has reached a crisis point.

Every day, a woman loses her life at the hands of a perpetrator, often someone she knows. Indeed, the government has admitted that the crisis is now epidemical.

Figures released by the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on December 19, 2024, reveal a grim reality. More than 100 women were killed between August and October this year: 100 deaths in 92 days. And some cases have not been reported.

This is not all. A total of 7,107 cases of sexual and gender-based violence have been recorded since September last year. This epidemic is a stain on our national conscience and a blatant violation of human rights. The urgency to address this issue cannot be overstated.

This years 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, which ended last month, held greater significance, coming at time when even the government had acknowledged the grim reality of rising violence against women.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics estimates that over 45 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 have encountered physical or sexual violence. Femicide, the most extreme manifestation of GBV, has claimed the lives of countless women.

This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism, “Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, reminded us who bears the brunt of violence. Yet the war against GBV must acknowledge that men and boys are also victims. There are increasing reports of men being abused, including killing incidents. These cases, never mind the gender, underscore the urgency for a balanced yet focused approach to mitigating GBV by the public, the State and non-state actors.

President William Ruto last month condemned the rising number of femicide cases and committed to strengthening the police force to tackle the vice. Resources have been allocated to the “Safe Home, Safe Space” campaign.

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But more is needed. Community-driven initiatives that empower women and girls while engaging men and boys as allies have been effective. So are initiatives that focus on

strengthening community health systems to detect, respond to, and prevent violence. Amref Health Africa’s flagship project on sexual and reproductive health has equipped healthcare workers to provide survivor-centred care, ensuring that victims — men or women —receive the medical and psychological support they need.

Partnering with policymakers to enact laws that protect all individuals from violence, including the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, Amref has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts.

To win the war, we need all hands on deck. By engaging the Church and local leaders, World Relief is helping challenge harmful cultural norms and create safe spaces for survivors. 

One of the organisation’s notable programmes, “Families for Life”, empowers couples to build healthy relationships through communication, joint decision-making, trust as well as addressing power, status and gender norms. A similar initiative, “Deciding Together”, addresses harmful gender norms by training couples how to make financial decisions together.

Through the “Transforming Masculinities” approach, World Relief engages men and boys in promoting positive masculinities and gender equality as a complementary intervention.

To emphasise the need for collaboration between the national and county governments, the civil society, faith-based organisations and communities, Amref and World Relief are have embraced all especially in their grassroots programmes.

Beyond the 16 days observed worldwide, we must expand synergies. This means increasing funding for prevention projects, leveraging technology to track and report violations, ensuring access to justice for all survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable.

It also requires addressing the root causes of violence, such as harmful gender norms and poverty. Ultimately, we need a cultural shift that places the dignity and safety of all individuals at the heart of our national consciousness.

The lives lost to GBV are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons,

sisters, and brothers whose potential has been tragically cut short. We must not only mourn their loss but also commit to ensuring a future where everyone can live free from fear and violence.

- Asiko is the Head of Communications at Amref Health Africa in Kenya while Onyango is the Business Development Director at World Relief