Elachi spoke at the launch of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign at Kileleshwa Primary School in Nairobi.
Dagoretti North Member of Parliament (MP) Beatrice Elachi on Monday, November 25 termed the increasing cases of femicide across the country a moral issue, watering down President William Ruto’s allocation of Ksh100 million to the Safe Home, Safe Space Campaign led by women leaders in government institutions.
Elachi spoke at the launch of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign at Kileleshwa Primary School in Nairobi. The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) vice-chairperson instead called for sensitization of the matter starting with students in high schools and colleges.
“We’ve had very serious femicide in this country. I know the President has promised Ksh100 million, but let me tell you, this is a moral issue. We can have money and everything, but it is a moral value issue that we must deal with,” she addressed.
“How do you deal with it, we must go back to school to start talking to our young students in high schools and colleges and to tell them that we all went through college, we all went through dancing. We danced in all those clubs but one thing is we respected each other.”
Survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) at the launch of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign at Kileleshwa Primary School in Nairobi on November 25, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE
Recap
Ruto who spoke during a press briefing at State House on Wednesday, November 20 revealed that the leaders would raise awareness of the signs of Gender Based Violence (GBV) while informing the public of the safe spaces and avenues where they can get help.
The campaign will run for 16 days, amidst the 16 days of activism beginning November 25, 2024, to voice against GBV. Additionally, in support of the nationwide exercise, Ruto committed Ksh100 million in funding.
“Matters psychological support and safe spaces for women and children are a priority in my office. Through the women’s rights 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,” he remarked.
“Our communities need education on the signs and causes of abuse and resources available to victims,” he added.
At the launch, Elachi further emphasized that collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and the media is essential to ending these atrocities. “By addressing systemic challenges and ensuring accountability, we can create a safer environment for women and girls,” she added.
The lawmaker stressed the need for concerted efforts to combat the rise of digital and online abuse targeting women and children while promoting safety measures.
She also emphasized the importance of enforcing laws, raising awareness in communities that still practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and strengthening legal frameworks to hold perpetrators of femicide accountable.
“We must also create platforms for survivors and activists to share their stories and advocate for gender-responsive solutions,” she added.
KEWOPA is advocating for a multi-agency approach to eliminate femicide and violence against women and girls. The KEWOPA caucus comprises female parliamentarians from both the National Assembly and the Senate.
During the meeting, survivors shared their personal experiences and challenges, highlighting the urgent need for more safe houses and stronger support systems for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors.
What Is 16 Days Of Activism?
Every year, from November 25 to December 10, the world observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign that aims to raise awareness and mobilize action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
These dates were carefully selected to coincide with significant global milestones: November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10th is the Human Rights Day when, in 1948, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted.
In 2008, the United Nations Secretary-General launched the campaign UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism. The goal is to create a global platform that highlights the need for gender equality and the elimination of violence against women in all its forms, both at home and in the workplace. It serves as a powerful reminder that violence against women is not just a private issue, but a widespread social challenge that demands systemic change.
Incoming ‘End Femicide’ Protests
The conclusion date of the campaign, December 10 carries extra significance this year in Kenya, given that this will be on the same day nationwide protests are expected to be held against femicide dubbed #EndFemicideKE
On Monday, hundreds of activists held protests in Nairobi to usher in the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in the country. The activists, who were from the Justice Centre Working Groups first converged at the Jeevanjee Gardens in the city’s Central Business District but police dispersed them using teargas.
Thousands protest against increasing violence against women in Kenya on January 27, 2024. /AP