Protesters Rally Against Violence Targeting Women in Kenya

Protests are happening in major cities in Kenya to denounce the increasing number of femicides and violence against women. Numerous individuals have gathered, displaying signs with the names of those who have been killed. Many participants have been chanting "Sisi ni watu sio wanyama" in Swahili, which translates to "stop killing us." Banners with messages such as "only weak men kill women" and "every time you blame the victim you affirm the murderer" are also being carried by protesters. These demonstrations have arisen due to a series of horrific murders of women, one of which involved a victim's dismembered remains discovered in a plastic bag within an Airbnb rental apartment. Femicide, defined as intentionally killing a woman or girl because of their gender, is a prevalent issue in Kenya. Amnesty International reports that there were over 500 cases of femicide documented in Kenya between 2016 and 2023, with many victims being killed by their intimate partners or acquaintances. Advocates are urging authorities to accelerate justice for recent victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, numerous local rights groups are demanding that the government declare femicide a national emergency and establish it as a distinct crime from murder. According to a government survey in 2022, at least one in three Kenyan women have experienced physical violence at some point in their lives.