FEMICIDE IS MURDER; AN EXTREME FORM OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST RUSH TO BRING IT TO A STOP

Violence against women occurs both within and outside the family setup, at workplace, at social joints, in the Matatus and Ubers and even in some isolated cases at the place of worship and could take various forms. It could comprise physical violation of the woman’s body through acts like punching or slapping, and may result in minor bruising or death! It may also constitute sexual violence such as rape or psychological tormenting through verbal abuse, harassment, deprivation of resources or denial of access to various facilities.

According to International Environmental Law Research Center, Violence is part of a historical process. It is not natural or born of biological determinism. Male dominance over women has historical roots and its functions and manifestations change over time. Oppression of women is therefore political, and an analysis of the state’s institutions and society, the conditioning and socialization of individuals and the nature of economic and social exploitation is required in any analysis of the phenomenon of violence against women.

Femicide is an intentional killing of women with a gender-related motivation, femicide may be driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls, unequal power relations between women and men, or harmful social norms.

Barely two month into the year and we have already lost an alarming number of women that we can’t tolerate as a country

State inaction in situations of violence against women is one of the major factors that allow violence to continue. The state is an arena of conflict, on the one hand it acts according to legislation and practices which are against women’s interests. On the other hand, it emerges as the major instrument in transforming certain legislative, administrative and judicial practices which empower women to vindicate their rights. Therefore, the state’s negligence may be another cause of increased violence against women and its active intervention may be the catalyst for reforming power relations within society. For instance, the doctrine of privacy especially in the home is usually invoked by the state in its refusal to act unless the violence in the home becomes a public nuisance. Secondly, the sanctioning of institutions of conflict resolution within societies which involve using violent means are likely to entertain violence against women than against their male counterparts.

It would be prudent if the state adopted the following suggestions

The government should strongly come forward and strongly condemn the femicide

Formation of a security task force comprising of multi-state agencies that periodically sits and reviews the state of the security in the country with a special focus on curbing and stopping femicide.

Empowering NGEC alongside other women organization with adequate information and resources especially on matters security and safety.

Combat and stop the backward stereotypes that reinforce violence on women

The state should create avenues for women leadership of this country to meet and share with them on emerging issues around safety and security.