The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare Gender-Based Violence (GBV) a national disaster.
In a statement, FIDA chairperson, Nancy Ikinu, made the request following the gruesome murder of Olympian Agnes Tirop, whose lifeless body was found inside her Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet home on Wednesday, October 13. Tirop is suspected to have been killed by her lover.
Ikinu termed the incident as a case of femicide orchestrated against women by their spouses, saying that such actions presented a total disregard of the rights of women and human rights in general.
“In view of this and other cases of femicide and gender-based violence in Kenya, we call upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare femicide and gender-based violence in Kenya a national disaster and make commitments to action,” she stated.
The FIDA chairperson further noted that the federation will not keep quiet while the dignity of women was being compromised by the ever-rising cases of GBV.
“We have expressed horror at the rising rate of femicide in the country. The numbers are worrying and FIDA-Kenya is concerned over the safety and security of women and girls. We appeal to the government to uphold its constitutional mandate in protecting girls and women from these wanton killings.”
The federation’s chair also urged the law enforcement agencies to come out and explain to the public steps it was taking to address the rising incidents of violence against women in various parts of the country.
Cases of domestic violence have been on the rise in the country recently, with the government being blamed over its inaction and failure to ensure robust mitigation measures are put in place.
