Finding cause best bet in drive to end gender-based violence

The truism life is sacrosanct has never been in doubt, yet rising cases of femicide negate it. According to data from “Counting Dead Women Kenya”, at least 25 women were murdered between January 2, 2019 and February 25, 2019. The “Embrace Women Group”, comprising female parliamentarians, picking from documented cases highlighted by the media, points out that between January and May 2019, 40 women have been murdered. The sad reality is that these figures could be much higher. There are many cases within counties, away from media attention, that have not been reported.

There being no justification for taking another human being’s life, this trend must be reversed by whatever means possible. Indeed, saddened and alarmed by the rate of killings, women parliamentarians have launched the “Her life matters” campaign. Kenyans of goodwill should take the campaign seriously and drive it with a zeal that reflects our values for life as a God-fearing society. A sustained campaign against gender-based violence will complement other efforts by “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign that is held annually between November 25 and December 10.

Earlier this year, women in Malindi joined the “Worldwide One Billion Movement” campaign against gender-based violence and female genital mutilation. Combined, these campaigns demonstrate willingness to stop a vice that denigrates women at a time when we are moving towards an equal world for men and women; where no gender is subservient to the other.

The jury is still out there on what has caused the steep rise in violence against women, but psychologists agree that depression, societal pressure and frustrations occasioned by difficulties of life are among the causes. This is not to say, however, that every killing is tied down to depression, no.

Some of the cases could clearly be premeditated murder. But whatever the case, violence against women, even where outdated customs seem to encourage them, is abhorrent. It is incumbent upon men to protect women, for even the story of creation entrusted their care and safety to men. Women are to be loved and cherished, not to be battered and brutally murdered.

In all the reported cases of femicide, the constant factor has been love gone sour. Contrary to a long standing belief, men come out as the weaker sex for lacking that critical emotional intelligence to handle rejection when relationships don’t seem to work. In itself, this is a manifestation of the catch-22 situation the boy-child finds himself in after attention was diverted to the girl-child in efforts to empower women socially, politically and economically.

Religion does not sanction divorce, and some cultural mores frown upon women who attempt to leave abusive relationships. Some parents have been known to urge their daughters to persevere in abusive relationships only to regret when their daughters pay the ultimate price for it. On the other hand, there are women who, rather than seek help when they are abused, keep it to themselves, hoping things will work out somehow. In most cases, they don’t.

Campaigns for an end to gender-based violence should therefore not just be about street demonstrations by women leaders, they should seek to identify the causes and get them solved. Incorporating the Maendeleo ya Wanaume in the campaigns would be a big plus for them. Maendeleo ya Wanaume must demonstrate that it does not countenance violence against women even as it argues in different forums that gender-based violence is two-way. Men, too, are battered and sometimes killed by their lovers.

It behoves us all to build a society anchored on mutual respect for each other irrespective of gender. Neither of the genders can exist on its own; both play complementary roles. These roles are best played in a loving environment.  

While police officers to whom cases of violations are reported should act professionally, on its part, the Judiciary would do well to mete out stiffer penalties to offenders to act as a deterrent. Many times the police have been accused of releasing suspects in unclear circumstances while bungled investigations have seen others walk free or get light sentences. Terms for granting murder suspects bail should be reviewed.