Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i joined elected women leaders and members of civil societies at a vigil at the University of Nairobi grounds on Friday organised to commemorate Kenyan women who have suffered from gender-based violence, GBV.
This is following the recent femicide cases among lovers in the Country.
Women MPs joined forces with women-based organisations under the umbrella of Embrace Initiative to launch a campaign against the rising cases of femicide and violence against young Kenyan women.
— Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) May 30, 2019
The vigil which all attendees dressed in white was graced by Nairobi Women Representative Hon Esther Passaris, Gov Anne Waiguru, Ida Odinga, CS Margaret Kobia Rachel, Shebesh among others.
Femicide is the killing of women caught up in love triangles, marriages gone sour, relationship gone bad.
During the commemorating vigil, the victims and their families were honoured.
The platform also served to seek justice for the casualties of femicide and homicide, a call for an end to GBV as well as bring national focus on femicide and homicide in Kenya.
White candles were lit at the evening event in honour of the victims of crimes of passion.
The Friday event was preceded by a walk in the city’s Central Business District (CBD) to call attention and seek the opinion of men on the matter.
Lighting candles in honour of victims of femicide #HerLifeMatters #EndFemicideNow pic.twitter.com/XqA0goGcRK
— University of Nairobi (@uonbi) May 30, 2019
Since January 2019, more than 40 young women have lost their lives as a result of GBV most of them by their romantic partners.
The victims include Fiona Kasayu-Eldoret, Beryl Adhiambo Ouma-Nairobi, Damaris Njeri-Kirinyaga, Ivy Wangechi-Eldoret, among others.
Kenya recognises the human rights of women free from violence including their right to life.
Key speakers at the event including Dr. Fred Matiangi, Prof Margaret Kobia, Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai, Lady Justice Njoki Ndungu and DCI George Kinoti pointed out solutions to end femicide in Kenya as below:
1. All arms of government must make a commitment to provide comprehensive legislations and access to justice for victims of femicide and their families in order to end impunity.
2. Protecting young women and girls from early exposure to incidences of violence is critical to reducing the naturalisation of violence and its multiple consequences such as femicide.
3. Participation of conventional and non-conventional actors including men and boys in the action to prevent violence againsts women and girls is key to transforming existing gender norms and stereotypes.
4. Coordinated and comprehensive support programs place victims at the centre of government response and assists in the process of putting an end to violence.
The killing of Ivy Wangeci who was brutally murdered by her lover earlier this year is still biting her parents who spoke to BBC News and revealed that no other girl should die.
“I wish Ivy’s death could be just a sacrifice so that no other girls die,” claimed the victims’ mother.
"I wish Ivy's death could be just a sacrifice so that no other girls die."
Ivy Wangechi's mother Winfred is one of many mothers mourning their daughters this year in Kenya, where femicide – is said to be on the rise.#HerLifeMatters l #Factfinder pic.twitter.com/WPSx3PeyHz
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 30, 2019