Activists in Bungoma as they mark one year of fighting femicide|Photo courtesy| Jacky Opiyo|
Activists and NGOs gathered today at the Bungoma children’s hospital grounds in Bungoma to commemorate a year of relentless advocacy against femicide in Kenya. The event, held to reflect on the movement’s progress since its inception in 2024, highlighted both achievements and the challenges that persist in the fight against gender-based violence.
Globally, nearly one in three women have experienced violence, a statistic that continues to rise. In Kenya, Bungoma county has recorded alarming rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS). The report indicates that 62% of women aged 15-49 have faced physical violence, with 29% experiencing it within the last year. Additionally, 30% of women have suffered sexual violence, with 17% reporting incidents in the past 12 months. Intimate partner violence remains rampant, affecting 60% of women, with nearly half encountering abuse recently. These figures are significantly higher than national averages, where 34% of women report physical violence and 13% have endured sexual violence.
While specific femicide data for Bungoma County remains scarce, organizations like Femicide Count Kenya continue to document and analyze cases nationwide.
Addressing the press, anti-femicide activist Amina Subuka acknowledged the movement’s uphill battle.
“This journey has been challenging. We’ve worked tirelessly to understand the root causes of these killings and to educate communities at the grassroots level,” she stated.
Social justice activist Dorothy Adongo urged witnesses to speak out and ensure perpetrators face justice.
“When women are killed, the community suffers an irreplaceable loss. We need strict law enforcement to end this crisis,” she emphasized.
Despite progress in awareness creation, activists noted that much work remains.
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