Gender based violence in Kenya has been on an upward calibration in recent times. The women in the society being the highly affected group.
Although Kenya has attempted to address rising incidents of violence against women by enacting specific laws and policies, huge challenges have limited the success of these laws and policies.
Outspoken and not one to be a wallflower, Gladys Wanga has proposed new harsh measures to teach those who take advantage of the women to violate their rights.
Hon Gladys Wanga, Homabay Woman Representative, has stated that those who violate the rights of the women should not be given bails by the court.
ODM legislature has since asked the Judiciary to consider the plea of the women by protecting their rights:
“Mahakama inafaa kutusaidia, ukipelekwa kortini usipewe dhamana ndio ujue kwamba kudhulumu mwanamke ni makosa,”( The court should help us,if taken to court one should not be granted bail for one to know that women violence is wrong).
Mahakama inafaa kutusaidia, ukipelekwa kortini usipewe dhamana ndio ujue kwamba kudhulumu mwanamke ni makosa – Gladys Wanga. #NTVSasa @janengoiri @SalimSwaleh001 pic.twitter.com/IvSiSEsVcm
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 17, 2019
The whole debate of protecting the rights of women has emanated from the recent attack on Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi who was assaulted by Wajir East MP Rashid Kassim.
Gedi was left with a bloody mouth after the morning incident in Parliament precincts in a reportedly unprovoked attack by Kassim.
MP Kassim was since charged in court by he denied the charges and he was granted bail.
The on-going exchange between Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Women Rep Esther Passaris has also ignited the debate on violence against women.
Mike Sonko shamed Esther Passaris portraying her as a parasite depending on him for financial support.
Mike Sonko again has made headlines after a camera caught him assulting a man in Eastleigh.
Sonko had visited Madiwa area in Eastleigh where a private developer is alleged to have illegally demolished some buildings.
Governor #Mike_sonko media guy mistakenly caught him on camera slapping a guy who told him to respect Esther Passaris and stop insulting women. Now he is nursing injuries at Kenyatta Hospital. pic.twitter.com/skavhJzdWj
— Rono Rir KE 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪 (@RonoRir_KE) June 16, 2019
Former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero also assaulted Rachel Shebesh during their tenure where he was caught on camera slapping her.
The men are not exempted in the numerous assaults in the society. Most of them who have fall a victim of abuse have resolved to keep calm.
But the rising awareness and campaigns are aimed at ending gender based violence be it to men or women.