Protecting Our Women, Preserving Our Future

By Karanja Jackson

The rising tide of femicide and targeted violence against women in Kenya is a crisis that demands immediate attention. With each passing day, stories of brutality and loss remind us of the fragility of safety for women in our society. 

These are not isolated incidents but the manifestation of deep-rooted cultural, social, and systemic issues that have been left unaddressed for far too long.

Femicide Count, a Kenyan organization that collects information on women and girls whose lives have been ended through violence, recorded 152 cases of femicide in 2023 based on media reports.

Investigative media house Africa Uncensored estimates that 500 women were killed in Kenya between 2017 and 2024. 

These harrowing cases are a grim reminder of the deeply entrenched societal challenges that threaten the safety, dignity, and equality of women. They highlight a collective failure that cannot be ignored, calling for urgent and unified action.

Femicide, the deliberate killing of women because they are women, is not just a personal tragedy. It is a societal issue that reflects the inequalities, misogyny, and culture of impunity that persist in our communities. 

Each life lost represents more than a statistic; it is a family shattered, children traumatized, and dreams extinguished. These acts of violence ripple through society, perpetuating cycles of fear, inequality, and economic disruption.

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.

At the heart of this crisis lies a complex interplay of factors. Deeply ingrained patriarchal norms foster the belief that men have dominance over women, while economic disparities render many women vulnerable and dependent. 

Weak enforcement of laws further emboldens perpetrators, while societal stigma often silences survivors and discourages them from seeking justice. Violence against women has been normalized to such an extent that it sometimes fails to provoke the outrage it warrants.

To address this issue, we must come together as a nation with a shared sense of purpose. The government has a critical role in ensuring that laws designed to protect women are not only robust but also effectively enforced. 

Perpetrators must face swift and severe consequences, while survivors should be supported with accessible legal, psychological, and medical resources.

Education must also play a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of violence. Campaigns that challenge harmful stereotypes, educate young people about equality, and promote respect and empathy can reshape attitudes over time. 

Communities and leaders must work together to dismantle norms that perpetuate abuse, creating spaces where women and girls feel valued and safe.

Economic empowerment is equally essential. Programs that provide women with opportunities for financial independence can help them escape abusive situations and build sustainable livelihoods. When women have control over their own lives, they are less vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

Men, too, must be part of this conversation. Addressing toxic masculinity and fostering positive models of masculinity can shift cultural dynamics and reduce gender-based violence. 

Engaging men as allies in this fight can help foster relationships built on respect and equality.

The media, as a powerful force for shaping societal attitudes, has a responsibility to cover these issues thoughtfully and constructively. 

Rather than sensationalizing violence, the media should focus on stories that inspire change, hold perpetrators accountable, and give survivors a voice.

This rise in violence against women is not just a crisis for women—it is a national emergency that threatens the fabric of our society. 

Protecting women is about more than ensuring their safety; it is about creating a society where every person can live with dignity, free from fear.

As a nation, we must rise above divisions and recognize that this is a collective fight. Together, we can foster a culture of respect, equality, and safety. The time to act is now. 

Let us come together to end this scourge of violence and build a future where every woman’s life is valued and protected.