When one woman is unsafe, all are unsafe: Female governors speak out
From left: Governors Kawira Mwangaza (Meru), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and Susan Kihika (Nakuru) during the launch of the G7 women governors Strategy at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi on March 7, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Seven female governors in Kenya, forming the G7 Women Governors' Caucus, have united to condemn the alarming rise in femicide cases during the commemoration of 16 days of activism against GBV.
- Their stand coincides with President William Ruto's commitment of Sh100 million towards the "Safe Home, Safe Space Campaign," amid street protests calling for femicide to be declared a national disaster.
The G7 Women Governors' Caucus has joined Kenyans in commemorating 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, marking a significant stand against the rising tide of violence targeting women in the country.
As Kenya observes the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the seven female governors expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in violence against women, particularly the surge in femicide cases. These seven leaders - Kirinyaga's Anne Waiguru, Embu's CecilyMbarire, Meru's Kawira Mwangaza, Nakuru's Susan Kihika, Machakos's Wavinya Ndeti, Homa Bay's Gladys Wanga, and Kwale's Fatuma Achani - represent a powerful voice among Kenya's 47 governors.
"We remind Kenyans that when one woman is unsafe, all of us are unsafe," the caucus declared in a unified statement. They emphasised that despite decades of advocacy and progress, the persistent occurrence of femicide continues to claim the lives of mothers, daughters, and grandmothers prematurely.
"It is unacceptable that women and girls still face unimaginable violence with lives cut too short through acts of violence," the governors stated. This year has been particularly devastating, with numerous reports of women and girls found dead, bearing marks of violence.
The caucus emphasised the human aspect behind the statistics: "These are not just numbers adding to the national statistics; they were people whose lives were brutally cut short, and whose potential and dreams were never fulfilled."
Public transport
Expressing grave concern over Kenya's increasingly unsafe environment for women and girls, the governors stressed that such violence should never become normalised.
"Women and girls must be safe when using public transportation, walking on the streets, when in their homes with family, when going about their business, when they vie for political office, and in all aspects of their lives."
The group solidified their commitment with a powerful pledge: "We pledge to use our voices, influence, and resources to end the violence against women and girls." They called upon their fellow governors nationwide to join in making Kenya safer for all and to condemn acts of violence.
This commemoration coincides with President William Ruto's recent commitment of Sh100 million towards the "Safe Home, Safe Space Campaign." During a meeting with women leaders at State House, Ruto emphasised his administration's priorities: "Matters psychological support and safe spaces for women and children are a priority in my office. Through the women's right advisor, we are launching a safe home safe space campaign during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence that will start on November 25, 2024."
Media exploitation
The President also highlighted the dangers of social media exploitation, urging youth to exercise caution with online strangers. "Parents, schools, churches and community organisations must step up to provide large skills and guidance to our young people," he stated.
Meanwhile, activists in Nairobi took to the streets on Monday, demanding that President Ruto declare femicide a national disaster as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
