Government forms special committee to tackle rising violence against women

Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police. [File, Standard]

The government has formed a special parliamentary committee to spearhead a comprehensive response to confront the alarming surge in gender-based violence and femicide cases plaguing the nation.

This development comes amidst recent data revealing a staggering statistic: 97 women were murdered over a span of just 90 days.

The government has labeled this crisis a societal problem that demands urgent attention. Speaking at a multi-sectoral engagement meeting on femicide in Nairobi, Anne Wang'ombe, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action, emphasized the need for a coordinated, cross-cutting approach to address this pressing issue.

"It is not a problem for any single entity—it is societal; it is not a problem for the police alone. We need to dedicate concerted time and effort towards addressing GBV," Wang'ombe said.

"It is not enough to just hold conferences or make statements; we want to see perpetrators brought to justice, and a holistic approach to tackling this challenge. This is not just about women or girls - it is a societal problem that we all need to come together and address."

Eliud Lagat, the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police, echoed the sentiment, stating, "As we have agreed, this is purely a matter of murder and criminal cases that will not be tolerated in our community. Crime is a crime, and from where we sit, the many cases that have been reported are actively under investigation."

The alarming trend of femicide in Kenya has been building for years. Recent data from the Femicide Count reveals that since January 2017, over 500 women have been killed in the country.

In 2023 alone, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reported a nearly 30 per cent increase in gender-based violence, with femicide rates rising.

These cases have become increasingly visible, with the public outrage reaching a crescendo in January 2024 when a coalition of organizations across Kenya organized multi-city marches against femicide. The protests were spurred in part by the gruesome murders of two young women barely a week apart in accommodation designed for short rentals.

The government's formation of the special parliamentary committee marks a significant step in recognising the gravity of the femicide crisis and the urgent need for a coordinated, multipronged response.

The committee, comprising lawmakers and representatives from key organizations, will be tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of gender-based violence, strengthen law enforcement, and provide comprehensive support for victims and their families.

President William Ruto has pledged that the government will allocate the necessary resources to the police to confront this crime effectively.

"Our girls are being killed. People who we should be showing love, people who we should be loving are being killed. How can it be that our girls, the Kenyan women who expect us to love them are dying in the hands of men," Ruto said during a church service.

The President emphasised that the nation is grappling with both a criminal and a moral crisis, requiring a multi-faceted approach that addresses the societal norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.

This includes investing in education, awareness campaigns, and community-based interventions to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote respect for women's rights.

The government's commitment to tackling femicide extends beyond the formation of the special committee. Authorities have vowed to conduct a thorough review of existing laws and policies related to gender-based violence, to strengthen legal protections and enhance the responsiveness of the criminal justice system.

Additionally, the government has pledged to work closely with civil society organisations, women's rights groups, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive support system for survivors of gender-based violence.

This includes improving access to counseling, legal aid, and economic empowerment programs to help victims rebuild their lives and achieve long-term security.