Increase in murders of women sparks debate in Kenya | DW News

Kenya has been experiencing a surge in the number of femicide cases. Human rights and women led organizations want the government to take the matter seriously. Over 10 cases have so far been reported in January alone.  The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics places the rate of women who have experienced gender-based violence at one point or the other in their lifetime within the country at 40%. UN Women says gender stereotypes, discrimination toward women and girls and harmful social norms are to blame for the rise in the cases.  There is no official government data on the cases, which also acts as an enabling factor to the perpetrators. Recently civil organizations, women led organizations and actors from different sectors came together in a protest march calling for an end to the killing of women and girls. Some men are playing a leading role in ensuring gender-based violence and femicide become a thing of the past.