We, the young women of the Agnes Kagure Foundation, stand together today to express our deepest outrage and concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in our country.
The alarming increase in incidents targeting women and girls is a matter of national urgency that can no longer be met with silence or inaction.
Every day, women in Kenya face the threat of violence, abuse, and even death at the hands of those who should protect them.
Young women after attending a meeting organized by Agnes Kagure on October 24.
We are losing sisters, mothers, and friends to senseless acts of brutality that have no place in a just and compassionate society. We are appalled by the normalization of violence against women and girls, and we refuse to accept it as a norm.
As young women striving to empower ourselves and our communities through the programs and support offered by the Agnes Kagure Foundation, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of education, mentorship, and economic empowerment.
However, the persistent rise in gender-based violence and femicide threatens to undo all the progress we are making. It disrupts our efforts to uplift women and denies us the opportunity to reach our full potential.
Young women after attending a meeting organized by Agnes Kagure on October 24.
The fear and trauma caused by these acts of violence create barriers that keep women from participating fully in economic and social opportunities. GBV and femicide not only end lives but also shatter the confidence and courage of survivors, hindering their ability to thrive and benefit from our empowerment programs.
The work of empowering women becomes an uphill battle when their safety and dignity are under constant threat.
We call upon our leaders, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the community at large to take decisive action to end this crisis. Justice must be served to the victims, and accountability must be demanded of the perpetrators. We demand:
- Stricter enforcement of laws and regulations: It is time to strengthen our legal frameworks to ensure that perpetrators of GBV and femicide face swift and severe consequences for their No woman should ever feel that her pain and suffering will go unanswered.
Businesswoman Agnes Kagure during a past event in Nairobi. Photo: Agnes Kagure Source: Facebook
- Increased support for survivors: We urge the government to establish more shelters and support centers for survivors of GBV, ensuring that women and girls have access to medical care, counselling, and legal aid without discrimination or delay.
- A national awareness campaign: We call for a comprehensive campaign to educate and sensitize communities about the dangers of GBV and femicide. Ending this crisis requires a cultural shift in how we perceive and treat women and girls in society.
- Investment in women’s empowerment programs: Violence against women thrives where there is a lack of empowerment and We implore stakeholders to increase investment in programs that uplift women economically and socially, allowing them to break free from cycles of dependency and abuse.
Businesswoman Agnes Kagure. Source: Agnes Kagure/Facebook
We, the young women under the Agnes Kagure Foundation, will not stay silent in the face of this crisis. We will continue to raise our voices, advocate for justice, and work tirelessly to uplift and protect our fellow women. We urge every Kenyan to join us in saying “Enough is enough!” Violence against women must stop, and it must stop now.
To every woman and girl suffering in silence, we want you to know that you are not alone. We stand with you, we believe you, and we are committed to fighting for a safer and more just future for all.
Signed,
Young Women’s Chapter, Agnes Kagure Foundation
