Female lawmakers lead "Komesha Dhuluma" campaign to tackle GBV, femicide

A new nationwide initiative to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya is set to launch, with female lawmakers taking the lead.

The campaign, dubbed Komesha Dhuluma, aims to address the growing crisis of violence against women and the rising cases of femicide across the country.

The initiative which received strong backing from President William Ruto, who allocated Sh 100 million to support the campaign, will be coordinated with the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action.

A total of 102 Members of Parliament, including 47 Woman Representatives, 28 constituency MPs, 6 nominated National Assembly Members, 3 elected Senators, and 18 nominated Senators, will lead community outreach and sensitization programmes in their respective constituencies.

These programmes will target both men and women and focus on addressing the root causes of GBV and femicide.

Leah Sankaire, Chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA), stressed the need to take the fight against violence to the grassroots level.

"This campaign is for our people at the grassroots level. Previous national campaigns have raised awareness, but we must now bring the message closer to the community," she said on Monday during a consultative meeting ahead of the campaign launch.

The initiative will also involve key stakeholders, including the Kenya Women Senators Association (KEWOSA), the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Center for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), the Community Advocacy and Awareness (CRAWN) Trust, and the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC).

These organisations will play a crucial role in mobilising communities and providing support services for victims of violence.

In a statement read on her behalf, the Presidential Advisor on Women's Rights Harriette Chiggai pointed out the importance of a diverse, localised approach.

"Counties with high rates of GBV may require more emergency response resources, while others might need programs focusing on education, prevention, and community engagement," the message noted.

She also underscored the need for the campaign to be tailored to local realities, ensuring that no region is left behind.

The Komesha Dhuluma campaign comes at a time of rising alarm over femicide in Kenya, with several high-profile cases sparking national outrage.

In 2024 alone, a series of brutal killings, including the deaths of three family members in Eastleigh and journalist Lillian Achieng' Aluko, have prompted calls from civil society organisations for femicide to be declared a national disaster.

Lilian Gogo, an advocate for justice, called for a stronger role from law enforcement and the judiciary in addressing GBV.

"We must work closely with the Inspector General of Police and the Judiciary to ensure perpetrators are held accountable," she said.

The Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action, Anne Wang'ombe, also emphasized the importance of engaging men and boys in the campaign.

"Gender-based violence is a societal issue. We need our men and boys to stand up and join us," she urged.

The campaign will run for two and a half months and culminate on International Women's Day in March 2025, with a major event to be held at the Parliament Buildings.