Nguvu Change Kenya leaders led by Josephine Mwende, Stacy Olendo, Valerie Aura, and Harriet Afandi have demanded for a robust plan from the government to eradicate femicide in the country.
The organization has lamented that they cannot comprehend why the Kenyan government has given a deaf ear to femicide in the country despite repeated incidences.
The group has launched an online campaign to see the amendment of the criminal law to ensure that femicide is classified as a distinct and specific crime and not murder.
Acknowledging that the government has shown a reluctance to act with speed in dealing with femicide cases, the group has stated that if a good plan is rolled out, gender-based violence would be combated.
“Kenyan women are confronted with a myriad of gender-based violence(GBV) forms, encompassing physical, psychological, sexual, socio-economic, domestic, obstetrics and intimate partner violence, ” Nguvu Change leaders said in a statement.
The leaders observed that following the gruesome murders of women, there is a need for collective measures to protect women from femicide.
“The recent incidents underscore the pressing need for corrective measures to avert more women falling victim to such violence. Our colleective commitment has strengthened; united, and unwavering in our stand against the multifaceted gender-based violence targeting women from all backgrounds,” they added.
The group leaders are victims of gender-based violence and have stated that the measures they are pushing for are not only triggered by recent murders of women but also the fact that they are a living testimony of violence against women.
Valerie Aura is advocating for tranquil premises where victims of GBV can stay and be supported to rebuild their lives through an online petition.
Josephine Mwende has initiated an online petition for public hospitals to stop obstetric violence against expecting women with disabilities.
Stacy Olendo through her online petition is pushing for the need to have specialised sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) police units dedicated to addressing crimes against women and children.
An advocate for women’s rights, Harriet Afandi, has set in motion an online petition, urging legislators to pass an OBV bill to protect expectant mothers and ensure their rights during childbirth.
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