Activists stage city protests, demand Ruto to declare femicide a national disaster

Hundreds of activists on Monday held protests in Nairobi to usher in the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in the country.

The activists, who are from the Justice Centre Working Groups first converged at the Jeevanjee Gardens in the city's Central Business District before police dispersed them using teargas.

Led by the national convener of the Social Justice Centres Working Group Wilfred Olal, the activists staged demonstrations along major streets and roads in the city, demanding that President William Ruto declare the increased killing of women a national disaster.

"We are here to urge the president to declare the killing of women a national disaster. It is clear that we have lacked a solution for this problem," said Olal.

The group, who condemned police for lobbing teargas at them wondered why the government is unable to stop the killings that are continuing to claim the lives of women in the country.

Police lobbed teargas at anti-femicide protesters in Nairobi's Jeevanjee Gardens on November 25, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

"Instead of the government prioritising on ending femicide, they send police to disperse us using teargas," said Olal.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls (VAWG). It runs from November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until December 10, Human Rights Day.

Worrying statistics

At least 500 women and girls have been murdered in Kenya since 2016, despite the country's efforts to prevent gender-based violence, according to the Africa Data Hub, a regional network of data organisations that traces such killings based on newspaper reports.

The national convener of Social Justice Centres Working Group Nairobi joined other protesters in the marking of the beginning of the #16DaysOfActivism against GBV.

Wilfred Olal: Our women are dying in the streets, universities and even in the slums. This can't be a normal day,… pic.twitter.com/jpVYXjqVim

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) November 25, 2024

The organisation wrote that its data is likely not inclusive of all the femicides during that period, and said, “The cases are not isolated; instead, they reveal recurring patterns, indicating a deeper and more systemic issue.”

According to a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Women, current and former intimate partners are the most likely perpetrators of femicide, accounting for an average of 55 per cent of all intimate partner and family-related killings.

“The shocking reality that at least 10 women have been killed in the first month of 2024 alone intensifies an already troubling trend”, said Mary Njeri, a gender-based violence analyst at UN Women.

President William Ruto last week committed Sh100 million towards the Safe Home, Safe Space Campaign that seeks to end femicide cases across the country.

Activists from the Justice Centre Working Groups during their protest march in the Nairobi Central Business District on November 25, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Speaking at State House after engaging in a meeting with women leaders, the president said that the campaign would entail 16 days of activism beginning today, to voice against gender-based violence.

He reiterated the government's commitment to supporting policies that will put an end to the vice, which has resurfaced in recent months.

Recent femicides have made headlines, with female bodies discovered in body bags at dump sites. Other cases involve matrimonial disputes that have turned fatal.

"Matters psychological support and safe spaces for women and children are a priority in my office. Through the women's rights advisor, we are launching a safe home safe space campaign during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence that will start on November 25, 2024," he remarked.

"Our communities need education on the signs and causes of abuse and resources available to victims."