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A New Dawn in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Kenya

In a landmark move towards addressing the persistent issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide in Kenya, the High Court recently conducted the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide. The event, which marks a significant step forward in the nation's efforts to tackle these grave injustices, chaired by the esteemed Lady Justice Nancy Baraza, with key members including Dr. Purity Ngina, the Chief Secretary and CEO of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), among others.

Commissioned by His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto, the formation of this technical working group signifies Kenya's steadfast commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all its citizens, particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected by GBV and Femicide.

The technical working group, which operates under a joint secretariat, will review Kenya's existing legal frameworks and identify critical gaps. One of its key objectives is to propose practical measures to strengthen prevention, response, and accountability mechanisms within the legal system, ensuring that perpetrators of GBV and Femicide are held fully accountable.

With its ambitious mandate and strong leadership, the Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide promises to be a transformative force in Kenya’s battle against gender-based violence. This initiative, coupled with the ongoing efforts of organizations like NGEC, signals a clear message: violence against women and girls will not be tolerated.

The formation of this group comes at a time when the national conversation surrounding gender-based violence and femicide is gaining momentum. While strides have been made, femicide remains an alarming reality, with countless lives lost and families shattered by senseless violence. The Technical Working Group’s efforts are thus seen as essential in closing the gaps in the current system and ensuring comprehensive support for victims.

The initiative has already garnered the support of numerous stakeholders, including civil society organizations, international partners, and local leaders, all of whom are committed to creating a safe and just society for all Kenyans.

As part of this initiative, the group will focus on two primary areas:

🔹 Strengthening GBV Policies and Laws: A review of current laws is essential to ensure they are robust enough to prevent GBV and Femicide while holding perpetrators accountable.

🔹 Community Engagement for Actionable Solutions: Understanding that true change must come from the grassroots, the group will engage communities across Kenya, identifying culturally relevant and sustainable solutions to prevent violence and support survivors.

The Technical Working Group’s swearing-in signifies a collective commitment to shaping the future—a future where GBV and Femicide are not just crimes but societal scars that can be healed with the right laws, policies, and a united community response.

This powerful initiative stands as a reminder that addressing the pain caused by GBV and Femicide is not merely a legal obligation but a moral one.

The task ahead is enormous, but with unwavering leadership and a clear mandate, change is on the horizon.

 


The Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide poses for a group photo following their swearing-in ceremony at KICC

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