Escalating violence against women and girls in Kenya is a societal emergency demanding accountability at all levels

January XX, 2025: Representative organisations of Nurses and Midwives and human rights advocates from across Africa * stand together in expressing deepest concern and condemnation over the alarming rise in femicide in Kenya. The more than 100 documented, brutal murdersⁱ of women and girls, as reported by the police and human rights groups, is a crisis of unspeakable horror.ⁱⁱ Disturbingly, these figures likely represent a fraction of the true extent of this violence, as widespread underreporting, systemic barriers, and gaps in data collection obscure the full scope of the issue.

This crisis is deeply rooted in structural inequalities, entrenched gender norms, and societal tolerance of violence against women and girls in all their diversity. It is a gross violation of human rights and dignity, with devastating consequences for families, communities, and the nation. Beyond Kenya, such violence underscores a global epidemic that demands urgent attention and action. We call upon all stakeholders—government agencies, law enforcement, civil society, and the international community—to treat this as a national emergency and act with urgency and resolve. The time for coordinated and sustained action is now; the lives and futures of countless women and girls depend on it.

Our Position and Call to Action

Public Condemnation of Femicide

We condemn the heinous violence against women and girls in Kenya. We urge immediate, high-level public recognition of this crisis and a commitment to eradicating it. Silence or inaction perpetuates impunity, sending a message that the lives of women and girls are dispensable.

Advocacy and Collaboration

We commit to work together with human rights groups, community organizations, and other stakeholders to amplify awareness of this travesty to address the root causes of gender-based violence, including entrenched patriarchy, cultural norms, and systemic failures in law enforcement and judicial systems.

Engagement with Local Authorities

We demand immediate and decisive action from the police and relevant government agencies to investigate and prosecute femicide cases effectively. This includes:

• Establishing a specialized task force to address femicide.
• Enhancing data collection and transparency in reporting cases.
• Training law enforcement officers on gender-sensitive approaches to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

Support for Affected Families

Behind every statistic is a family grappling with unimaginable loss and trauma. We commit to working with partners to provide psychosocial and economic support to survivors and families of victims. This includes:

• We advocate for the establishment of a dedicated fund to provide crucial assistance to families grappling with the devastating aftermath of femicide.
• Ensuring counselling andⁱⁱⁱ trauma support for survivors through the Nena Na Binti Call Center^iv, providing vital reporting mechanisms and trauma care for victims of violence.

A Call for Accountability and Justice

Escalating violence against women and girls in Kenya is a societal emergency demanding accountability at all levels. We call upon the Kenyan government to:

• Prioritize the protection of women and girls through strengthened policies, legal frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms.
• Enact a Femicide Prevention and Response Act to ensure robust legal protections, thorough investigations, and harsher penalties for perpetrators.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in investigations and prosecutions.
• Commit resources to preventive measures, including community education and awareness campaigns.
• We urge every Kenyan and the international community to join us in standing against femicide. Together, we can build a future where women and girls live free from fear and violence.

Signed and strongly supported by,

• Africa Action Network of Nurses and Midwives; Faith Mbehero, Africa Regional Office-Planned Parenthood Global; Dr Elvis Safary; Elizabeth Oywer, Africa Institute For Regulatory Affairs (AIFRA); Dennis N. Mbithi, National Nurses Association of Kenya; Elphas Muricho, Kenya Students and Novice Nurses; Nelly Munyasia, Reproductive Health Network Kenya; Hisonga Kalifan and Pearson Twinomugisha, Uganda National Association of Student Nurses and Midwives; Theopista Kabaliisa, EPI Uganda; Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union; UPLIFT West Nile, Uganda; Friends of UPLIFT, Norway.

i https://femicidecount.org/counted-cases/

ii https://www.africadatahub.org/femicide-kenya

iii Nena Na Binti Call Center – 0800 211 227 (Toll Free) 0775533117 (Text/WhasApp) · hello@nenanabinti.org