Protesters in Kenya call for national crisis declaration over gender-based violence
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Hundreds of women took to the streets in Kenya’s capital on Monday to call on the government to urgently investigate rising cases. gender-based violence and femicide or the killing of women.
Women marched through the streets of Nairobi carrying banners with messages such as “Stop Killing Women” while also raising awareness about the disappearances and murders of children reported locally in recent weeks. Protesters carrying coffins were accompanied by police.
Women’s rights organizations have warned of rising cases of gender-based violence and called on the government to declare it a national crisis.
This happened after a local singer was doused with gasoline and set on fire, and later died from her injuries.
On May 23, police said they had established a special investigation unit bringing together crime intelligence analysts, forensic experts, homicide investigators and other experts.
Police said most cases of gender-based violence were linked to domestic disputes, intimate partner violence, sexual offences, assault and unresolved family conflicts.
According to the Federation of Women Lawyers of Kenya, the organization encounters about 70 cases of gender-based violence each week at its three offices in Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa and the lakeside city of Kisumu.
Lobby groups issued a 40-day ultimatum on May 21 for the government to take action or face nationwide protests. But they took action earlier.
