Ruto sets up working group to combat gender-based violence, femicide

President William Ruto has appointed a technical working group to assess, review, and recommend measures to strengthen the institutional, legal, and policy response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide in the country within three months.

Former Deputy Chief Justice Dr Nancy Baraza has been appointed as the Chairperson of the working group also comprised of notable figures amongst them Citizen journalist Franklin Wallah, FIDA boss Anne Ireri and LSK President Faith Odhiambo.

According to a gazette notice released Friday, the working group follows increased cases of GBV and femicide cases in the country which, President William Ruto says continue to cause immense physical, emotional, and economic harm to individuals, families, and communities, exacerbating inequalities and impeding sustainable development.

The notice notes that there are existing gaps in prevention, response, investigations, prosecution, data management, and survivor support systems in GBV and Femicide cases and such egregious violations pose a threat to national security as well as strain the nation's social fabric.

"For those reasons therefore, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Head of State and Government by the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Kenya, do establish a Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Including Femicide, to assess, review, and recommend measures to strengthen the institutional, legal, and policy response to GBV and Femicide in the country," the gazette notice adds.

The group will be expected to amongst others propose amendments to strengthen laws and close existing legislative gaps that improve enforcement against GBV and femicides.

Conduct community engagements to gather input on solutions to combat GBV and Femicide and provide actionable recommendations on prevention, investigation, prosecution, and survivor support mechanisms in GBV and Femicide cases.

It is also expected to recommend proposals to strengthen family ties, foster harmonious co-existence among family members, and develop social structures that support the resolution of domestic disputes.

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