As Kenya celebrates Jamhuri Day today, we are reminded of the ideals of resilience, freedom, and justice that this day symbolizes. However, for many activists—especially women advocating for an end to femicide and SGBV—those ideals feel far from reach. On the last day of #16DaysOfActivism, women across Kenya protested against femicide, yet their voices were met with tear gas and violence from those sworn to protect them. This echoes the same harassment faced earlier this year during the End Femicide protests. The right to peacefully demand justice was trampled, and the message was clear: we still have a long way to go. At The Femiscope Initiative, we mourn the continued marginalization, harassment, and silencing of women who dare to demand safety and equality. Jamhuri Day should be a celebration of freedom and justice for all, yet this year, it feels hollow. We stand in solidarity with all women and activists who continue to fight for a better Kenya.
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Justice for Rebecca Cheptegei: A Call to End Domestic Violence and Uphold Women's Dignity Across Africa The tragic loss of Rebecca Cheptegei, Uganda's national record holder in cross country, long-distance, and marathon running, has sent shockwaves through the continent and beyond. A powerful figure in sports, Rebecca’s life was senselessly cut short by domestic violence—a gross violation of human dignity and the fundamental right to live free from fear and harm. As we mourn her untimely death, we stand in solidarity with all those affected by gender-based violence and reaffirm that no one should suffer in silence. Rebecca’s murder underscores the pressing need to confront the pervasive issue of domestic violence across Africa and the world. Every woman has the inalienable right to live in safety and dignity, and this right must be upheld by all institutions, governments, and communities. We cannot allow this heinous crime to be met with silence or complacency. The fight against domestic violence is a fight for human rights, and Rebecca’s case reminds us that too many lives are being destroyed by this injustice. We call for swift and unequivocal justice for Rebecca Cheptegei and all victims of domestic violence. Her memory must galvanize us to take meaningful action, not only in Uganda but across the entire continent. We demand accountability from all parties involved, and we urge policymakers to prioritize the protection of women. Rebecca’s legacy will live on in our efforts to ensure that no other woman endures such a fate. #JusticeForRebecca #EndDomesticViolence #DignityForAll. Anton Mifsud-Bonnici Gianpaolo Casati CDD-Centro Para Democracia e Direitos Humanos AfricanDefenders (Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network) Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network Washington Katema RMDDH - Rede Moçambicana dos Defensores de Direitos Humanos African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders Hassan Shire TANZANIA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS COALITION (THRDC)
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FEMICIDE-AN END TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ;16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM As we commemorate the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the 16 days of activism campaign, It is our duty to call out the injustices women and girls face every day. Femicide cases in Kenya are in the hundreds and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is sleeping on the job. Investigations stall and no persons are arrested and brought to book. It is heartbreaking reading newspapers,watching news, and scrolling endless pages on social media of more and more killings. When will this end? All this butchery and brutality. Women led Non-governmental organizations are always at the forefront pointing all this out. The government of Kenya needs to take action. During these 16 days of activism, I urge all women and girls to continue campaigning and championing our rights. Let us protect each other. Take care of your sister, cousin, friend and colleague. Together, we are a formidable force that triumphs. The future is ours for the taking. #mbelepamoja #endfemicideke #16daysofactivism #endgenderbasedviolence
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Enough is Enough: End Femicide in Kenya We are currently in the midst of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a critical time to amplify our voices and take a stand against the rising cases of femicide in Kenya. Each story of a life cut short is a stark reminder that as a society, we must do better. This year’s global theme, “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Moving from Awareness to Accountability,” challenges us to go beyond conversations and demand real, lasting change. #WeAreNotSafe, and it’s time to hold systems, communities, and individuals accountable. The upcoming #TotalShutdownKE march on December 10 in Mombasa at Pembe Za Ndovu symbolizes our collective call to action. Femicide is not just a personal tragedy—it is a systemic failure. We need stronger policies, better enforcement of laws, and a cultural shift that values and protects women and girls. I stand in solidarity with survivors, advocates, and everyone fighting to ensure women and girls can live without fear. Let's continue pushing for a future where safety and dignity are the norm, not a privilege. Join the movement. Speak out. Take action. #EndFemicideKE #WeAreNotSafe #16DaysOfActivism #GenderEquality #HumanRights WeRise Africa Femicide Watch Platform Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development FIDA KENYA United Women's Council Grace Kathau Susan Lankisa Purity Jebor Ruth Dero, MPRSK, Moran ✨️Sylvester Saiti
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The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that begins on November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and ends on December 10th (International Human Rights Day). The campaign aims to raise awareness and mobilize action to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. This year's theme is "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!" with a focus on funding initiatives that prevent and respond to gender-based violence, responding to the needs of survivors, preventing gender-based violence from occurring, and collecting data to inform policy and decision-making. In Zambia, you can get involved in the 16 Days of Activism by: 1. Wearing orange to show your support 2. Sharing information and resources on social media using hashtags like #16Days and #OrangeTheWorld 3. Participating in local events and activities, such as marches, rallies, and workshops 4. Supporting organizations that work to prevent and respond to gender-based violence 5. Reporting incidents of gender-based violence to the authorities Remember, everyone has a role to play in preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Let's work together to create a safer and more equitable world for all! #16Days #OrangeTheWorld #StopVBV
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The march for justice and intervention in the rising femicide cases by protestors represents the lives lost, the families affected and devastation caused, the trauma and psychological impact and the need for protective measures. Yet the brutal, excessive and disproportionate use of force by the police on demonstrators against femicide in Kenya, on International Human Rights Day is a stark reality of the deep rooted challenges that persist in the fight for women’s rights and safety. This highlights a broader societal issue where women’s voices even when raised in protest against atrocity are met with force rather than the empathy and the support they deserve. As I pen this down, this is a passionate call for change for every individual, from the grassroots to the international level to reconsider our commitment to human rights and the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women. #HumanRights #WomenPeaceSecurity #EndFemicideKE #PeaceBuilding #Peace #InternationalHumanRightsDay #UNSCR1325 Amnesty International Inclusive Peace UN Women Women's Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Life & Peace Institute CMI — Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation
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We affirm our solidarity with all the women and girls in Kenya and everywhere in the world against femicide. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 “Our commitment to justice must remain unwavering. We are called to hold our leaders accountable, demand action, and refuse complicity in perpetuating violence. Only through our collective efforts can we envision a world free of femicide, rather than a haunting headline.” Read the blog, Demanding Justice for Victims of Femicide in Kenya: A Call to Action to learn more about feminists fighting against femicide in Kenya. https://lnkd.in/gCU3wVvU
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🌍 Human Rights Day: End Femicide in Kenya 💔 Today, on Human Rights Day, we conclude the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with an urgent call to action: End Femicide in Kenya. Femicide—the intentional killing of women because of their gender—is a violation of the most fundamental human rights: the right to life, dignity, and security. In Kenya, the rising cases of femicide are not isolated; they are a reflection of deeply rooted inequalities and societal failures. 💡 The Reality: Many women face violence in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Harmful norms and inadequate enforcement of laws perpetuate this cycle. 🌟 What Needs to Change? ✔️ Justice: Enforce stronger laws and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. ✔️ Empowerment: Invest in programs that economically and socially uplift women. ✔️ Cultural Shift: Challenge harmful norms and stereotypes that normalize violence. ✔️ Support Systems: Create safe spaces and comprehensive services for survivors. As we conclude this year’s #16DaysofActivism, let us reflect on the collective action required to end femicide and GBV in all forms. Protecting women’s rights is a cornerstone of human rights and essential for building a just and equitable society. 💬 Call to Action: ➡️ Amplify this message by sharing this post. ➡️ Join us and our partners at #TimeToCare partners in advocating for an end to GBV. ➡️ Commit to challenging violence and fostering equality in your sphere of influence. This campaign might end today, but the fight for justice, safety, and equality continues. Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl lives free from violence. #HumanRightsDay #EndFemicide #16DaysOfActivism #ProtectHerRights #EndGBV #GenderEquality #TimeToCare
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We at the Cosmopolitan Affirming Community (CAC) join the global community in commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day holds profound significance in that; It is a point in time where the global community unites their voices and speaks out against the violence perpetuated on girls and women. This action lends strength to the small, scattered voices of victims, survivors, and advocates and creates visibility for the global call to end the systemic violence faced by women and girls. Second it marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign focused on raising awareness and taking action to combat violence across all genders. This period underscores the critical need to address the cultural and systemic roots of gender-based violence. At CAC, we remain committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces, promoting affirming faith practices, and addressing gender-based violence in Kenya, while ensuring our work resonates globally. Guided by our Holistic Advocacy Framework, CAC draws from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly its principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” We challenge harmful doctrines, engage communities, and design programs informed by the lived experiences of survivors as a way to provide meaningful support. We integrate Kenya’s cultural heritage with universal human rights principles, as a way to create solutions that are impactful and culturally relevant. While our efforts primarily address Kenya’s gender-based violence crisis, our advocacy aligns with the global movement for equality, justice, and peace. During these 16 Days of Activism, we invite everyone to join this critical cause through education, dialogue, and meaningful action to build a world free from violence. Engage with our content to stay informed, spark conversations, and amplify the call for equality and justice. Together, we can transform commemoration into lasting change. #EliminationOfViolenceAgainstWomen #AriseYouQueers #ResilienceInAction
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Human Rights Day: Driving Action Through Research to End Femicide On this Human Rights Day, as we conclude the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we confront a sobering truth: 97 cases of femicide have been reported in Kenya over the last three months, as disclosed by Mr. Lagat. These figures are more than numbers—they’re a call to action. At GVS Research, we believe in the power of data to drive change. Our research provides critical insights to inform policies, interventions, and community action aimed at ending femicide. With our expertise, stakeholders can: Identify the drivers of gender-based violence. Develop targeted, evidence-based solutions. Monitor and evaluate intervention programs for meaningful impact. We proudly partner with organizations working on the ground to create a safer Kenya for all. This Human Rights Day, let’s join hands to make femicide a thing of the past. Participate in the Walk to End Femicide and advocate for the fundamental rights of women and girls. Together, we can transform research into actionable solutions. Skiza Mwanadada Initiative ActionAid Equality Now #HumanRightsDay #16DaysOfActivism #EndFemicide #DataForChange #SocialJustice #Kenya
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Today marks the final day in #16Days of Activism, and concurrently, World Human Rights Day, with 2024's observance focusing specifically on the theme Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. The Empowering Tea Communities programme strives to ensure tea pickers know their rights and understand how they can be exercised, for the benefit of themselves and their families. Stories such as Agnes' show how great a difference this can make, with a community equipped to support each other producing real change. Here, she describes the before, the after, and the future - the work that's been done but also what needs to grow from it in order to ensure progress isn't lost, only strengthened: https://bit.ly/4ivQTU4 "It’s not like before. The situation is better because now we can speak out as a group." - Agnes' words provide a valuable reminder of why days like #WorldHumanRightsDay bringing us together to re-align on our purpose are so vital, and serve such inspiration to continue collectively pushing towards a thriving, socially just, and environmentally sustainable tea sector.
On day 16 of #16Days of Activism we mark World Human Rights Day. Freedom from gender-based violence is a fundamental human right. However 39% of women in Kenya are survivors of gender-based violence. Agnes, 46 is a single mother who lives in Nakuru County, Kenya. She works as a tea picker and is the sole provider for her family. 🍃 “It is very difficult for perpetrators to get away with domestic violence because we are now aware of our rights as women. Cases of sexual and gender-based violence have significantly reduced because people are now confident enough to report them, and the perpetrators know that they can face legal action if they commit assault.” Supported by the Empowering Tea Communities Project, ActionAid in partnership with ETP, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, lavazzapro and the KTDA Foundation, Agnes has seen significant progress in tackling violence in her community. Find out more about our work in the tea sector in Kenya here: https://bit.ly/49xpYTK #BizHumanRights #SupplyChains
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