Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-27 18:03:19
Protests erupted in Kenya, led by activists like Catherine Syokau, a woman with a disability, who called for an end to femicide and equal rights for all women, especially those who are more vulnerable due to their disabilities.
Esther Passaris, a parliamentary representative for women, pushed for non-bailable sexual gender-based offence charges and urged for the establishment of local standards to address these crimes.
Eric Theuri, President of the Law Society of Kenya, stressed the importance of the country’s legal system in protecting the weak and vulnerable, underscoring the need for legal safeguards for women.
The demonstrations, sparked by the recent murders of over a dozen women, marked the largest anti-femicide protests in Kenya. Protesters wore T-shirts bearing the names of the victims to honor their memories.
In Nairobi, the protests brought traffic to a standstill as demonstrators called for an immediate end to violence against women. Some protesters expressed frustration towards Passaris, believing she had not taken enough action on the issue.
The president of the Law Society of Kenya pointed out that the slow judicial process contributes to the prevalence of gender-based violence, citing a shortage of judges and resources.
Reports have indicated at least 14 women killed this year, with femicide cases reaching 500 from 2016 to 2023. Many incidents of gender-based violence go unreported. Particularly alarming were cases of women being killed at Airbnb accommodations, prompting urgent calls for action against gender-based violence.
