A Kericho Human Rights Defender has described strict laws targeting perpetrators of femicide as crucial in ending the escalating cases of violence against women in the country.
In an interview with KNA, the Kericho Centre for Human Rights (KCHR) Executive Officer Robert Ngeno said strict laws targeting the offenders and effective implementation of the rulings would discourage potential offenders and signal the government’s commitment to protecting women.
“It is true that everybody knows these cases are rising, and there could be an indicator to this. There could be a problem with the law itself, and the National Assembly should work on this urgently and effectively. Where there are loopholes, these loopholes can be sealed. We also require the input of the Director of Public Prosecutions. We need to give more powers to the Director of Public Prosecutions so as to deal with femicide cases firmly. Femicide should not be treated as any other criminal offence but should be treated differently, and the courts should give it more attention by expediting the cases so that justice can prevail for the victims. We also ought to look at the bond terms of the suspects, which will have a deterrent penalty to dissuade potential perpetrators,” said Ngeno.
He said the war against femicide could be tackled through sensitisation programmes in institutions of learning at an early age to promote gender equality, raise awareness on women’s rights, and challenge harmful gender norms in society.
“If we allow femicide to continue, it will reach a point where it cannot be controlled, and when it gets to this point, we will be on the wrong side of history. Violence against women and girls is a devastating human rights violation, and the Ministry of Education must plan to have it across all learning institutions as a subject as early as in Grade 4, where teachings are given to both genders on healthy masculinity as well as inculcating respect for women,” noted Ngeno.
The Human Rights Defender urged communities and religious institutions to partner and work towards changing attitudes and perceptions about women, as this would go towards the creation of a safe environment for them to fulfil their potentials as individuals as well as contributors to their homes, work, and communities.
According to police records, at least 97 women across Kenya were killed last year.
Last month, the government established a 42-member task force dedicated to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.
By Sarah Njagi