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UN Women Kenya Calls for Stronger Mechanisms and Investments to End Gender-Based Violence
Nairobi, Kenya – November 25, 2024 – Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread human rights violations globally. In Kenya, the statistics are stark. According to the KDHS 2022, 16% of women and 10% of men reported experiencing physical violence in the past 12 months, while 34% of women and 27% of men have faced physical violence since the age of 15. Globally, data reveals a harrowing reality: every 10 minutes, a woman is intentionally killed by a partner or family member in 2023.
The urgency of addressing gender-based violence (GBV) cannot be overstated. In alignment with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the UNiTE campaign highlights the alarming rise in violence under the theme: “Every 10 Minutes, a Woman is Killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence Against Women.”
“It is horrifying that women in the public eye, including politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, often face targeted violence both online and offline, with some attacks leading to fatal outcomes,” said Dan Bazira, Deputy Country Representative for UN Women Kenya.
This year’s campaign coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30), a framework that underscores Kenya’s and the global community’s commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls.
A Call to Action
“The UNiTE campaign calls on all duty bearers, especially states and private sector companies, to prioritize ending violence against women,” added Bazira. “Key actions include reviewing 30 years of the Beijing Platform for Action, ensuring accountability, allocating resources, and actively reporting progress. Addressing the most extreme form of violence, femicide, demands urgent and comprehensive strategies.”
UN Women’s Commitment in Kenya
In partnership with the Government of Kenya, civil society, and development partners, UN Women continues to champion measures to prevent and respond to GBV and femicide. Key commitments include:
- Policy and Legal Frameworks: Supporting the reform, implementation, and enforcement of laws and policies that protect women and girls, including National Action Plans aligned with international and regional conventions.
- Service Delivery: Strengthening survivor-centered services such as healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, and shelter, ensuring survivors receive holistic care and perpetrators face justice.
- Community Engagement: Mobilizing communities to challenge and transform harmful norms and behaviors that perpetuate violence.
- Economic Empowerment: Empowering women and girls economically to reduce vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
Ending Impunity
UN Women Kenya is advocating for robust laws and policies to hold perpetrators accountable and to end the impunity that enables gender-based violence to persist.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence serves as a rallying cry for individuals, governments, and organizations to unite in action, recommit resources, and push for the structural changes necessary to protect women and girls, ensure justice, and foster a safer, more equitable society.
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