Kenyan Faith Leaders unite to end Femicide and all forms of GBV

On 5th February 2024, Faith actors gathered at the Desmond Tutu Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya for a round table dialogue on ending Femicide and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Convened by the All Africa Conference of Churches in partnership with Christian Aid, the dialogue engaged over 50 faith leaders in deep conversations, interrogating the reasons accounting for the persistence and rise of femicide in Kenya, and identifying means of amplifying faith-based advocacy against GBV. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), femicide is the intentional murder of women based on their gender. The prevalence of femicide in Kenya is alarming. Between January and October 2022, Femicide Count Kenya reported 58 femicide cases, 152 in 2023, and 14 in January 2024. 

During its 12th General Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria, last year, the AACC launched the Churches Campaign against GBV in Africa, urging its members to stay committed to ending all barriers to SDG 5 and the AU Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6.   In the dialogue, the faith leaders resolved to act against the many misleading theologies propagating GBV. 

Janet Ngumbalu, Country Director of Christian Aid Kenya narrated a heart-wrenching story on how her cousin was blamed all over social media after being murdered by the lover. 

The Most Rev Dr Joseph Ole Sapit, Archbishop of the Church of Anglican of Kenya condemned the culture of blaming victims of GBV and their families for sins perpetrated against them. 

The dialogue ended with the faith leaders issuing a public statement mobilizing all people for action against Femicide and other forms of GBV in Kenya and across the world.  Read by Sheikh Abi Hamza and Archbishop Ole Sabit, the statement urged African governments to enforce ratified treaties against GBV such as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Maputo Protocol, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

“At a time like this, Silence is violence," said Rev Dr Lydia Mwaniki, AACC Director, Gender and Women.

Read the faith leaders' Press Statement against Femicide and all forms of GBV 

Read about the launch of the Churches' Campaign against GBV in Africa 

[Photo Credit: Kevin Maina]