Almost two weeks ago, Kenyans, predominantly women, were on the streets protesting against Femicide. The nationwide match followed consecutive gruesome killings of women widely shared on social media.
Simply put, femicide is the intentional killing of women, a pervasive and alarming issue. It is a reflection of deep-rooted GBV and other systemic inequality and discrimination. Like any other social problem, it is a multifaceted issue that requires legal reforms, increased awareness, and even legal reforms.
In January alone, at least 10 murders of women were reported, and in 2023, 152 killings were reported. The most gruesome reported murder was that of a lady’s body parts dismembered and stuffed in a plastic bag, my gut is wrenching as I write this. According to the UN Women 2022 data, Africa is in the lead on the number of female intimate partner and family-related killings, with an estimated 20,000 victims.
My worry is that in a world with the highest number of killings, is how the marching and the shedding of light on the problem was received. Men were the first to blame the victims, and some even went on video saying, ‘We will kill you’. I understand I cannot rest my whole argument on this incident, but it is crazy how the reception was not on recognizing the situation, speaking up about it and you know, the normal, but the ‘it’s not my fight’, ‘women should be more careful’ etc, which just goes to show the existing negative patriarchal mindset.
It is a fact femicide isn’t right, but it is not what is seen on social media, the victim blaming and attempts to justify the killings are crazy. So many lives have been lost to gender-based violence, people should not have to wait until it is their mother/daughter/sister, etc become the next victim!
What are your thoughts on this issue, I’d like to know!
The Harrowing Reality of Femicide in Kenya
By
Anita Koske