Kenya Women Members of Parliament have today held a pre-launch presser to launch the campaign to tackle Gender-Based Violence in Kenya.
Dubbed 'Komesha Dhuluma' under the Umbrella Body of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, the campaign seeks to fight increased cases of femicide in the country.
KEWOPA chair Leah Sankaire said that the campaign will focus on strategic advocacy through community engagement and sensitization of the community at the constituency level.
"The campaign is designed to raise awareness by amplifying survivors' voices, as we seek to Influence policy change beside fostering a culture of respect and equality through changing of the social and cultural norm,'' she said.
The 102 women legislators from both houses seek to engage over 100,000 women and men, youths and persons with disabilities as well as like-minded organizations to tackle the menace.
"The Komesha Dhuluma Campaign is not limited to women parliamentarians only. We are open to partnering with other associations among them Media and NGOs to spearhead the campaign directly to the community," she explained.
Speaking at the pre-launch press conference at Parliament, Likoni member Of Parliament Mishi Mboko lauded President William Ruto's move to support women legislators to spearhead the campaign.
"Through President Ruto's support, we will be able to work hand in with all leaders to engage our men in the villages as the financial support will help us localize the initiative through community sensitization and barazas," she explained.
The legislator also said that the campaign will advocate for a stronger law system to protect survivors as well as hold the perpetrators to account.
"GBV is not a woman issue. It cuts across all genders including young boys who fall victim to sodomy. We call all Kenyans to join the End Femicide campaign," she said.
President William Ruto met women leaders at State House last year with the president pledging Sh100 million to help fund Komesha Dhuluma Initiative.
According to reports, atleast 97 cases of Femicide have been reported in Kenya in the past three months.
A report by the Center for Rights Education and Awareness 2024 (CREAW) reveals that 2985 women have been victims of GBV.
