The National Gender-based Violence (GBV) Working Group has finalised the Memorandum on GBV including Femicide for submission to the Technical Working Group that was recently gazetted by President William Ruto.

The working group has provided the next steps for ratifying the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG).

The Memorandum will shape Kenya’s policy and legal frameworks for prevention, response and curbing gender-based violence including femicide.

“The recommendations by the National Gender-based Violence Working Group include stronger coordination of gender-based violence prevention and response; legal reforms and policy implementation; survivor-centred responses to ensure justice and protection for all; and increased resource allocation,” said

Alberta Wambua, co-chairperson of the National GBV Working Group.

The Technical Working Group on GBV serves as a critical platform for fostering collaboration among government, development partners, and the civil society organisations to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment a.

“The rising cases of gender-based violence, with increased cases of killings of women and girls require strong whole-of-society approaches to safeguard their safety, justice, and protection. The recommendations to the Technical Working Group will create momentum for assessing, reviewing, and recommending measures to strengthen policy response to GBV and femicide,” said Mary Wanjiru, team lead, Ending Violence against Women and Girls – UN Women Kenya.