FIDA Chairperson Josephine Mong'are Definition: Femicide is the killing of a woman or girl, in particular by a man and on account of her gender. The Federation of Women Lawyers of Kenya (FIDA) has released a statement condemning the killing of women in the country.
Just in one month, cases of lovers killing each other have been on the rise.
Though murder is murder and is wrong, no matter which gender is on the receiving end. We note that FIDA have concentrated on condemning killing of women because that's who they represent.
They should have condemned murder in love relationships as a whole.
Maendeleo ya Wanaume Organization (Kenyan Men Empowerment Network ) need also to come out and condemn the killing of men and ask Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate and ensure that men are safe.
We cant continue living in a society where men are expected to not be beaten by women or when they are beaten, they are laughed at.
Murder is murder. Full stop.
Below is their full statement in Text
15th April, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FIDA-KENYA CALLS FOR ACTION ON THE RISING CASES OF FEMICIDE IN THE COUNTRY. FIDA-Kenya condoles with the families and friends of the women who have been brutally murdered. Within this month Ivy Wangechi was attacked and killed at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, on Tuesday 9. April. Hardly had the nation recovered from the incident, than the news of the murder of a prison officer in Subukia, Caroline Jepchirchir emerged on Wednesday 10. April. Over the weekend, Nyeri based Penina Wangechi, and Pwani University student Naomi Chepkemoi, also fell victim to Gender Based Violence and are under medical care in Karatina, and Kilifi respectively.
FIDA-Kenya is horrified by the rate of femicide in the country. In the period between January and April 2019, over 50 femicide cases, have been reported in the media. This number does not reflect the unreported cases that may have escaped the media's attention. This is a wakeup call to the realization of the erosion of national values, and the status of the nation on the disregard of Human Rights.
It is worse that a section of the public discuss these incidences with insensitivity on social media laying blame on the victims. This reflects the disregard such Kenyans have for the female fraternity, which is attitude FIDA Kenya is appalled about. Women are human, and their loss of lives should matter. No woman deserves to die.
Kenyans should adopt a culture that seeks to identify, report, and testify against perpetrators of GBV. The sanctity of life must be upheld and respected, regardless of gender. As espoused both in the Kenyan constitution, and in the moral fiber of humanity, no reason whatsoever is justifiable to end the life of another.
The news of Ivy and Caroline's deaths, and the attack on Peninah and Naomi's lives, further puts into question the national structures in place to protect women and girls from harassment, abuse and violence. The Gender desks at Police stations and local administration offices were set up to cater to women and girls whose wellbeing is threatened. These desks need to be revived and well equipped. The public also needs to be sensitized on the usefulness of such mechanisms. FIDA-Kenya calls upon the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Security, Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Matiang'i to urgently intervene in the matter to enforce deliberate and actionable steps towards public participation, and national dialogue on the legal and social structures available for the protection of women in the country. We also call upon the Director of Public Prosecution to take swift action on the cases so as to ensure justice is served to the perpetrators and bring restitution to the families of the victims. Further, FIDA Kenya will rally Kenyans of good-will to peacefully demonstrate and express their disapproval of these Femicides.
FIDA Kenya will reach out to the affected families to provide legal aid and watch brief in the matters to ensure justice is served. FIDA demands for maximum sentences to be issued. Violence against women MUST stop.
Ms. Josephine Mong'are Chairperson - FIDA-Kenya.