Kenyans have been urged to present their proposals on the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) including femicide starting tomorrow.
A team formed to assess, review, and recommend measures to strengthen the policy, legal and institutional response to GBV including femicide in the country is holding public engagement forums from May 12 to May, 28 in the counties in line with the constitutional requirements.
The Technical Working Group on GBV Including Femicide led by former Deputy Chief Justice Dr Nancy Baraza will hold the public hearings tomorrow in Taita/Taveta, Garissa, Marsabit, Embu, Samburu, Kisumu and Trans Nzoia Counties.
It will seek public views in Kirinyaga, Laikipia and Narok on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the team will be in Mombasa, Isiolo, Kitui, Nyandarua, Nyeri, West Pokot and Vihiga, while on Thursday, it will visit Meru, Nakuru, Murang’a and Bomet.
It will conclude the public participation forums for this week in Kwale, Makueni, Nandi, Kericho, Kakamega and Nyamira.
Dr Bazara said Kenyans’ views will add value to the proposals that the technical working group will present at the end of the exercise.
“We urge Kenyans to participate in this exercise. All views will be taken into account,” she said, while announcing that all meetings start at 9.00 am.
The team initially appointed by President Ruto on January 10, 2025 for three months had its term extended on April 25, 2025 for two months.
It was formed in response to the rising cases of GBV and killings of women and girls, generally referred to as Femicide, which violate the fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, human dignity, equality, freedom from discrimination, and security of the person.
The president noted that such egregious violations posed a threat to national security and social stability.
It is supposed to identify trends, hotspots, and causes contributing to GBV and femicide and analyze the adequacy of current legal and policy frameworks in addressing GBV and femicide.
It will also propose amendments to strengthen laws, improve enforcement, and close existing legislative gaps and evaluate resource allocation, training levels, and operational effectiveness in managing prevention, response, support and investigations related to cases on GBV and femicide.
The team will conduct community engagements to gather input on solutions to combat GBV and femicide and provide actionable recommendations on prevention, investigation, prosecution, and survivor support mechanisms in GBV and femicide cases.
Further, it will examine the role of social media coverage in GBV and femicide, including its influence on public perception, awareness, and policy-making and identify psychological issues related to the commission of crimes associated with GBV and femicide.
The team will establish socioeconomic challenges contributing and exacerbating to the commission of GBV and femicide and recommend proposals to strengthen family ties, foster harmonious co- existence among family members, and develop social structures that support resolution of domestic disputes.
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