The scourge of Gender-based violence in Kenya

The stripping and sexual abuse of a woman by matatu conductors in Kenya has sparked outrage and demonstrated that gender inequality is still a serious issue in Kenya.  The incident was captured on camera by a bystander and showed a group of three men publicly stripping a woman naked because of the way she was dressed. As the woman begged and pleaded, the men and onlookers did not help, but watched as the men continued taunting and humiliating her.

This is not the first such occurrence in Kenya as other similar cases have been reported and even recorded. It is not uncommon for women to be flogged, verbally and physically abused and humiliated because of their attire and this not only happens in Kenya but in other African countries as well. These incidences not only demonstrate a brazen disrespect for women, but how far many countries, especially Kenya, are from achieving anything resembling gender equity let alone equality.

It is, however, encouraging to witness that this attack has not been taken lightly. The video has prompted anger, igniting debate on social media under the hashtag #mydressmychoice.  In addition, it is heartening that men and women are equally disgusted by the attack and have demonstrated in large numbers.

Even better, the 'Anti-Stripping Squad,' a special squad tasked with tracking down men who are stripping women has been assembled, showing that for once the police force will not bury its head in the sand. Most importantly though is that Kenya's bar association is calling for the prosecution of the men guilty of stripping women because of their dresscode. However, despite all these positive steps, the incident is a reminder that gender based violence is still prominent and highly disregarded across Kenya. If there had not been a video, I doubt the incidence would have received as much attention or even made it to court.

The 16 days international campaign against gender violence could not have come at a better time. The campaign starts on November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and ends on December the 10th (Human Rights Day). Its main objective is to raise awareness and action against gender based violence. Thus with the rage circulating among many women and men across Kenya and Africa, the campaign could tap into this re-awakened awareness to promote a long lasting commitment to change.

The issue with society is that human beings are forgetful. Potentially, this incident will be forgotten and an MP will do something idiotic enough to replace the issue. Thus, once again gender based violence will continue to soak deeper into our fabric of society until another horrific incidence is committed and Kenyans will be awakened again.

As a global community, we cannot afford to forget that around 500,000 women were raped during the Rwandan genocide, or that South Africa is seriously afflicted with issues gender based violence or that in the Democratic Republic of Congo women are raped hourly or that gender violence perpetrators do not discriminate between children and adults, as witnessed in India.

Gender based violence is not just towards women but men too. This is an issue that cripples society today and there are no signs of it vanishing. There needs to be constant and unrelenting fight against gender based violence, even when things seem peaceful. Society can’t just spring into action when a sickening video goes viral.  Gender based violence existed long before the stripping video and will continue to exist long after most of us have forgotten. We must strive to always remember and combat against gender based violence.