The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has asked Kenyans to hold accountable leaders who perpetuate gender-insensitive talks.
According to AMWIK, aspirants seeking various political seats should be tasked with explaining how they would tackle gender-based violence.
The association further said that politicians who speak about women in a bad light at rallies or public spaces should be called out.
During a press conference at the Hilton Hotel on Wednesday to call for hastened access to justice for victims of gender-based violence, the association said that such actions should not be condoned.
Veteran journalist Njeri Rugene called on the media to also play its part and hold accountable leaders who orchestrate violence against women.
“Candidates who spew violence against women, verbally abuse women and use gender insensitive language, we must call them out,” she said.
She asked Kenyans to demand that candidates and aspirants talk about issues of gender-based violence as many shy away from them to be less controversial.
“This is the year the government pledged to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), so we must demand that those in leadership positions who come from FGM-prone areas they must talk against it,” she said.
Wairimu Munyinyi, Executive Director of the Coalition on Violence Against Women, said the August elections were a critical time for Kenya.
“We have an unfortunate culture of repeated cycles of violence in this country and worse still, victims of sexual gender-based violence during the elections hardly ever get justice,” she said.
She called on the government and political parties to shun aspirants who condone or entertain violence.
