The Chairperson of the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence, Anne Ireri, has called on victims of gender-based violence (GBV) to speak out and report abuse to authorities, amid a worrying rise in cases of femicide and violence against women across the country.
Speaking during a public hearing convened in Mombasa, Ireri emphasized the need for survivors to come forward and seek help, saying this would enable authorities to take prompt action and ensure justice is served.“We urge all those experiencing violence to report these cases without fear.
Only through reporting can perpetrators be held accountable and justice achieved,” she said.Her appeal comes in the wake of a gruesome femicide case currently under investigation in Likoni Sub-County, where a woman’s headless body was found stuffed in a gunny bag and dumped at a local dumpsite.
The suspects in the case have already been arraigned at the Mombasa Law Courts.In response to the growing threat, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Nur announced new measures targeting short-term rental operators. “We have issued firm instructions to all Airbnb owners to strictly register the identification details of all guests to help in tracking and investigations,” he said.
The call to action extended to the judiciary, with stakeholders urging courts to expedite GBV cases and issue harsh penalties to offenders to serve as a deterrent.
The Presidential Technical Working Group continues to hold public hearings across the country to collect views and enhance the national response to gender-based violence.
