KEWOPA Advocates for Multi-Agency Approach to Combat Femicide and Gender-Based Violence

Nairobi, 

Monday, 25 Monday, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has called for a collaborative, multi-agency approach to address the growing issue of femicide and violence against women and girls in the country. 

Speaking at the launch of this year's 16 Days of Activism campaign at Kileleshwa Primary School in Nairobi, KEWOPA Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), emphasized the importance of coordination between government institutions, civil society, and the media to eradicate these atrocities.

"By addressing systemic challenges and ensuring accountability, we can create a safer environment for women and girls," Hon. Elachi stated, highlighting the urgent need for combined efforts to tackle the problem. KEWOPA, which consists of female parliamentarians from both the National Assembly and the Senate, has been at the forefront of advocating for women's rights and protection.

A key concern raised by Hon. Elachi was the rise of digital and online abuse, which disproportionately targets women and children. She underscored the importance of promoting safety measures in both the digital and physical spaces to safeguard women and girls. 

Additionally, she called for stronger enforcement of laws, especially those aimed at curbing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and holding perpetrators of femicide accountable.

The lawmaker also advocated for the creation of platforms where survivors and activists could share their experiences and push for gender-responsive solutions to the issues they face. 

During the launch event, several survivors shared their harrowing stories, shedding light on the challenges they continue to face and the critical need for more safe houses and robust support systems for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors.

In a show of support for the ongoing efforts to end GBV, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, urged legislators to advance legislative proposals aimed at curbing GBV. 

Speaking at a breakfast meeting in Parliament ahead of the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games, CS Murkomen pledged to implement recommendations addressing GBV in the sports sector, including measures to combat sexual abuse against women.

The calls for urgent action, from both KEWOPA and government officials, underline the need for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to end violence against women and girls in Kenya, with a particular focus on prevention, support for survivors, and accountability for perpetrators.