President Ruto urges moral upbringing of boys to combat GBV and femicide

President William Ruto has called for a societal shift in how boys are raised, emphasising the need to cultivate morally upright men who respect women and do not feel the need to assert their masculinity through violence.

His remarks come in the wake of a disturbing rise in gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, which has left many women in Kenya feeling unsafe, even in their own homes.

In his State of the Nation Address speech, President Ruto acknowledged the growing concern over gender-based violence, noting that many women's rights organisations and citizens have expressed alarm over the increasing number of women killed by men, driven by deep-seated and dangerous notions of gender superiority and impunity.

"Left unaddressed, these incidents will cause the women of our nation to feel increasingly unsafe, even in their own homes. This is both tragic and unacceptable," Ruto said.

The President noted that such violence complicates the struggle for Kenyan women's inclusion, equality, dignity, and social justice, especially as a historically marginalised group.

"It also complicates, in disturbing ways, the struggle by Kenyan women for inclusion, equality, dignity, social justice, human rights, equity and protection," Ruto said.

In response to this alarming crisis, the President reassured the public that most of the cases of femicide and murder of women by men have been investigated and prosecuted.

He expressed hope that those found responsible will face the full force of the law.

"I am aware that most of the cases of murder of women by men have been investigated and prosecuted, and I hope that, in due course, those found culpable will face the full force of the law," Ruto said.

The President then turned his focus to societal responsibility, urging political leaders, public officers, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and families to play their part in shaping boys into men who respect women and contribute to a safer, more inclusive society.

"It is time for each of us political leaders, public officers, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and family members to do our part in raising boys into morally upright men who will never need to affirm their masculinity at the expense of women but instead contribute to making our society just, safe, equal and inclusive," Ruto said.

The President also revealed his commitment to addressing the issue by facilitating collaboration across sectors. He revealed that he had discussed the matter with other leaders in government and tasked his deputy Kindiki Kithure with leading broad-based, multi-sectoral discussions.

"I have held discussions with other government leaders and tasked the Deputy President to reach out and facilitate collaborative, broad-based and multi-sectoral deliberations and recommend effective and radically affirmative actions within 6 months," he said.

This announcement comes against the backdrop of disturbing statistics. Since August, Kenya has reported 97 cases of femicide, signalling a sharp increase in GBV incidents.

To tackle this crisis, Ruto on Thursday allocated Sh100 million to support a 16-day campaign against femicide, which will be spearheaded by women leaders.

"Through the Women's Rights Advisor, we have launched the Safe Home, Safe Space campaign as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, set to commence on November 25," he said.

The President also raised concerns over the exploitation of social media platforms to lure women, calling for stronger regulation to protect women from online predators.