Listen to this article
Download AudioKenya’s Task Force Tackles the Rise of Femicide and GBV Effectively
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.
| KEY TAKEAWAYS |
|---|
| President Ruto’s formation of a 42-member task force aims to address GBV and femicide. |
| The task force will conduct public hearings to gather community insights on addressing GBV. |
| Current legal frameworks in Kenya lack a definition for femicide, complicating targeted interventions. |
| Reports indicate a significant rise in femicide cases, with over 4,000 GBV incidents monthly. |
| The Kenyan government has allocated 100 million shillings to combat GBV and femicide. |
| International treaties guide Kenya’s efforts towards preventing violence against women. |
Kenya’s Fight Against Femicide: A Close Look at Government Response
The Kenyan government’s creation of a 42-member task force is a key step in addressing the femicide crisis in the country. Led by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, the group aims to confront the worrying rise in gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. This initiative began after 97 femicide cases were confirmed between August and November 2024, with an estimated 4,000 GBV incidents occurring monthly (Capital News).
Kenya’s legal system currently lacks a clear definition of femicide, but the task force aims to correct this issue. Without proper classification, many femicide cases are treated as general homicides, making focused efforts difficult. The government has dedicated 100 million shillings to address this crisis, though structural problems still exist (CIVICUS Lens).
Community Involvement and Reaction
The task force’s role includes hosting public hearings and community engagements throughout Kenya. Civil society groups have been crucial in advocating for femicide recognition, even though their peaceful protests sometimes face violent police backlash. This conflict reveals deeper challenges in ensuring women’s safety (Kenya Gazette).
Kenya’s struggle is part of a larger global crisis. In 2023, about 85,000 women and girls were killed on purpose worldwide, with Africa having some of the worst rates. Kenya’s commitment to international agreements like CEDAW requires more concrete actions than mere verbal condemnations (Missing Perspectives).
Understanding Femicide and Gender-Based Violence
Femicide means the killing of women and girls because they are female. It is a severe form of violence rooted in discrimination and societal norms that undervalue females. This issue often arises in contexts like intimate partner violence and honor killings (Inter-American Model Law).
What is Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?
Gender-Based Violence: Any form of harm directed at an individual because of their gender. This includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and it stems from power imbalances and societal norms (European Institute for Gender Equality).
Legal Obligations under International Conventions
Kenya has ratified international treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). This commits the country to eliminate discrimination and protect women’s rights. However, putting these commitments into action remains challenging (United Nations CEDAW).
Therefore, updating legal definitions, like including femicide in the criminal code, is essential. It will help prosecute offenders appropriately and provide victims justice (Inter-American Model Law).
Challenges in Addressing Femicide
Despite efforts, Kenya faces many obstacles in combating femicide. Structural barriers like inadequate legal frameworks hinder progress. Additionally, societal attitudes that accept violence against women make change difficult (Femicide: narratives of gender crimes).
Moreover, violent responses by police to peaceful protests undermine trust in law enforcement. This situation shows the need for police reform and accountability (CIVICUS Lens).
The Importance of Societal Attitudes
Changing societal attitudes is vital in reducing femicide and GBV. Deeply ingrained norms often justify violence against women. Furthermore, education and awareness campaigns can help shift these perceptions (Femicide: narratives of gender crimes).
Additionally, community engagement plays a key role. Involving local leaders and groups helps the government address the causes of violence and promote gender equality (The Kenya Gazette).
Efforts in Systemic Reforms
The task force includes professionals from various fields, studying how institutions and policies handle femicide and GBV. They aim to identify GBV hotspots and suggest stronger enforcement methods. The group must offer their findings and suggestions for change within 90 days (Capital News).
Kenya faces a critical moment in dealing with gender-based violence. Although forming the task force is progress, significant obstacles remain. Success relies on putting reforms into action, strengthening enforcement, and challenging societal norms that perpetuate violence against women (CIVICUS Lens).
FAQ
Q: What is the main purpose of the task force established by the Kenyan government?
A: The task force, led by former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, aims to address the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya by creating targeted interventions and improving the legal framework.
Q: How many femicide cases were reported recently in Kenya?
A: There were 97 femicide cases confirmed between August and November 2024, alongside an estimated 4,000 monthly GBV incidents.
Q: What challenges does the current legal framework in Kenya face regarding femicide?
A: The Kenyan legal system lacks a specific definition for femicide, leading to many cases being misclassified as general homicides, which hinders effective intervention.
Q: What role do civil society organizations play in addressing femicide?
A: Civil society organizations advocate for the legal recognition of femicide and have organized peaceful protests, although they sometimes face violent responses from police.
Q: How does Kenya’s femicide crisis relate to global trends?
A: Kenya’s situation reflects a wider global crisis, with approximately 85,000 women and girls being killed intentionally in 2023, highlighting the need for robust action against femicide.
Q: What outcomes are expected from the task force’s findings?
A: The task force is expected to propose systemic reforms and stronger enforcement mechanisms to combat GBV and femicide within 90 days of conducting their analysis.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
