Women groups to hold demos against femicide Saturday

151 women organisations in Kenya as well as 23 individuals have endorsed a march against femicide which is to take place across the country. 

The march will take place at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi from 10 am, as well as other counties. 

Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity in standing in solidarity with the women's organisations said femicide ought to end. 

"We strongly condemn the rise in femicide cases in the country and we mourn with all victims of this scourge and their families," the lobby group said.

The 151 women groups and concerned individuals said they are united in the fight for gender equality, equity and justice.

"We strongly condemn the alarming rise in femicide cases plaguing our beloved nation. We stand in solidarity with all victims of femicide and their families, survivors of intimate partner violence and violence against women, as well as all aggrieved women in Kenya," they said jointly. 

These include Feminists, Human Rights Defenders, and People Living with Disabilities. Women survivors of Gender Based Violence, Torture & Human Trafficking and Women who work in the informal sector. 

The women's groups said they strongly condemn the femicide that is plaguing the country. 

"Femicide, the targeted and violent killing of women and girls, is a grave violation of human rights and a shameful reflection of Kenya's societal shortcomings that demand urgent attention," the women's groups said. 

They said femicide is a severe violation of human rights and ought to be declared a National emergency and be included in Kenya’s Penal Code as a distinct punishable crime.

"The recent cases of femicide, such as the brutal murder of Starlet Wahu Mwangi, the dismemberment of Rita Waeni, and the tragic death of Malkia, are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broader issue," they said. 

They said the cases highlight the widespread gender inequality, entrenched patriarchal norms, and the lack of effective measures to protect women and girls in their diversity.

According to Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, every Kenyan citizen, regardless of gender, age or background, has the right to freedom and security.

"Every life lost to femicide represents a profound failure of the state and our society to uphold the law as stipulated by our Constitution and International Human Rights instruments ratified by Kenya," they said. 

They called upon President William Ruto to declare femicide in Kenya a National Emergency and a threat to national security.

They also want Interior CS Kindiki Kithure and Gender CS Aisha Jumwa to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis.

"We demand a safer and more just society for all women in Kenya. It is time for decisive action to ensure that no woman or girl in Kenya lives in fear of losing her life simply because of her gender," they said. 

"We emphasize that femicide affects women in all their diversities, including cisgender, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and queer women, sex workers, women with disabilities, domestic workers, women in the informal sector, and women of all religious and ethnic backgrounds."