Let's address gender-based violence and women's mental health as well

The rising cases of femicide continue to negatively impact the gains made in combating gender-based violence. In recent years, Kenya has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of women killed often by close family friends, husbands, former lovers or even people very well known to them within the community. These brutal murders point to a deeper societal crisis emanating from male dominated norms, society's failure to call out such issues and normalising violence against women.

Femicide, the killing of women and girls, often based on reasons or because of their gender, has reached alarming rates. According to Africa Data Hub, there were over 930 cases reported between 2016 and 2024. Last year alone, Kenya recorded 172 femicide cases, an increase from 152 cases in 2023. Even more disturbing, 97 cases were reported between January and March this year. The murder of a university student, whose body was discovered in a water storage tank recently, is only one of many cases that reflect the magnitude of the crisis. All these cases are a clear indication that no woman is truly safe.

While social media is often awash with femicide cases, many of them remain unreported due to stigma, fear and societal attitudes on what people will think and feel. Despite public outcry, responses from the institutions that should be protecting women and taking action remain painfully inadequate.

Though femicide represents an extreme form of gender-based violence (GBV), it is one among many forms of violence meted on women. Millions of women across Kenya live under constant fear, enduring a myriad of abuses from catcalling, workplace harassment, domestic violence, and intimate partner mistreatment. The psychological torture often takes a toll on their mental wellbeing. Consistent stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders are common outcomes for women living in an environment where their safety is not guaranteed.

The sad reality is that Kenya lacks the necessary resources to cater for mental health which would help to respond and support women with mental health issues. The health systems are under-funded and under resourced and cannot address cases of survivors of gender-based violence cases. The existing stigmatisation around mental illness leaves many women to silently suffer and live in isolation. If such cases go unattended, they often undermine women’s ability to heal and contribute positively to society and their families.

Ignoring femicide and mental health often carries long-term consequences as it interferes with the ability of the women to face demanding situations at work, handle their relationships and to care of their children. GBV leads to low productivity and increase in the cost of health.

While Kenya has made substantial progress in legislation and promoting gender equality, implementation has remained a weak link. As a country, we can draw best practice and inspiration from countries such as Spain where an integrated approach featuring GBV courts, survivor support services, and legal protection has led to a significant drop in femicide cases.

The government must invest in comprehensive, survivor-centred mental health care and offer support to survivors of Femicide and GBV. This would include access to counselling, trauma, therapy support services. Learning institutions, companies, religious institutions, and the media need to play a role in shaping societal attitudes and calling out issues of GBV that come to their attention. Conversations on behaviours rooted in traditional male roles, relationships, gender equity and equality need to be brought to the fore.

It is important to empower women economically to ensure they do not remain closed in abusive relationships or environments due to lack of financial independence. Equipping women with financial literacy skill, training them on how to be financially independent and offering entrepreneurial skills will give women the necessary tools to claim their positions in the communities and leave peacefully.