Protests inTurkana over rising cases of femicide/FILEPresident William Ruto has gazetted 35 members of the Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence, including femicide.
The team will be chaired by Nancy Barasa and also includes a secretariat of three members and four joint secretaries.
In the notice, Ruto noted that increased cases of GBV and femicide continue to cause immense physical, emotional, and economic harm to individuals, families, and communities, exacerbating gender inequalities and impeding sustainable development.
He further noted there exist gaps in prevention, response, investigations, prosecution, data management, and survivor support systems in GBV and femicide cases, and that such egregious violations pose a threat to national security as well as strain the nation’s social fabric.
The team will identify trends, hotspots, and causes contributing to GBV and femicide.
It will also analyse the adequacy of current legal and policy frameworks in addressing GBV and femicide.
Ruto noted the team will “assess, review, and recommend measures to strengthen the institutional, legal, and policy response to GBV and femicide in the country.”
Members will also propose amendments to strengthen laws, improve enforcement, and close existing legislative gaps They will evaluate resource allocation, training levels, and operational effectiveness in managing prevention, response, support and investigations related to cases on GBV and femicide.
Members will further conduct community engagements to gather input on solutions to combat GBV and femicide and provide actionable recommendations on prevention, investigation, prosecution, and survivors support mechanisms in GBV and femicide cases.
All state entities are directed to afford the Technical Working Group all necessary support and cooperation. At its first meeting, the members shall select a vice chairperson from amongst the membership, the notice said.
The Technical Working Group is expected to develop a report and submit it to the appointing authority within a period of 90 days with effect from the date of the notice, or for such longer period as may, by notice in the Gazette, be extended.
The Technical Working Group shall report to the Deputy President, through the Principal Secretary for Gender, who will be the chairperson of a Principal Secretaries’ Oversight Committee comprising of Principal Secretaries of the State Departments of Internal Security and National Administration, Social Protection, Health, Diaspora Affairs, Tourism, Cabinet Affairs, Devolution, Higher Education and Research, Technical Vocational Education and Training, and the Solicitor-General.
The Secretariat of the Technical Working Group shall be at the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
The members of the team include Mohammed Washala Abdi, Ruth Aura Odhiambo (Dr.), Linah Kilimo, Edna Ngare Ngeno (Dr.), Linda Musumba (Dr.), Nobert Talam, Michael Kariuki, and Charles Ismael Otieno Otiende.
Others are Diana Christine Nanjala, Peter Mwangi Kamau, Anthony Nzioki, Surum Ipato Korema, Anne Ngetich, Wangu Kanja (Dr.), Franklin Wallah, James Nombi, Kizito Wangalwa, Harleen Kaur Jabbal, Bashir Isaak (Dr.) Valentine Chepkoech Simei, Shem Nyakutu, Janey Leakey, Beatrice Karwitha, Lucy Njeri Mwaniki, and Purity Ngina (Dr.).
Sam Thenya (Dr.), Susan Ndanyi, Antonia N'gabala Sodonon, Mercy Karanja (Dr.), Gloria Wawira, Faith Odhiambo, Ann Ireri, Seth Masese, and Mashetti Masinjila.
