Shocked by horrific murders of women, activists in Africa are demanding change

A wave of gruesome killings of women in several African countries in recent weeks has sparked outrage and outrage, a wave of protests and calls for governments to take decisive action against gender-based violence.

Kenyans were shocked when 31 women were murdered in January after being beaten, strangled or beheaded, activists and police said. A pregnant woman in Somalia died this month after her husband allegedly died set her on fire. In the West African country Cameroon a powerful businessman used to be arrested in January on allegations, which he has denied, of assaulting dozens of women.

The increase in killings is part of a broader pattern that worsened during economic hard times and pandemic lockdowns, human rights activists say. In 2022, an estimated 20,000 gender-related murders of women were recorded in Africa. highest rate in the worldAccording to the UN, experts believe the actual figures are likely higher.

“The problem is the normalization of gender-based violence and the rhetoric that women are indeed disposable,” says Njeri wa Migwi, co-founder of Usikimye – Swahili for 'Don't be silent' – a Kenyan non-profit organization that works with victims of gender-based violence.

The feminist scholar Diana Russell has popularized the term femicide – the killing of women or girls because of their gender – to create a category that distinguishes this murder from other murders. This is evident from a report by the United Nationsthe murders are often committed by male partners or close family members and are preceded by physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Critics say many African leaders, as well as police, are ignoring or downplaying the problem blame the victims.

On a recent afternoon, Ms. Migwi, co-founder of the nonprofit, was leading a training session for girls and women when she was suddenly called to a nearby home in Kayole, a low-income, high-crime neighborhood east of Nairobi.

Inside the dimly lit house lay Jacinta Ayuma, a day laborer and mother of two, lifeless, bloody bruises visible on her face, neck and left arm. Police said she was killed by her partner. He fled and they have yet to arrest him. An autopsy revealed that she died of blunt force trauma that resulted in multiple organ injuries.

Wails of anguish filled the air as several officers carried the body into a police van with a thin duvet. Three neighbors said they heard someone screaming for help all night, until about 6 a.m. But they said they did not intervene or call the police because the sounds of abuse and fear were commonplace and they considered it a private matter.

Ms Migwi, back in her nearby office, said she had seen too many similar cases. “I'm in mourning,” she said, her head in her hands. “All this brings with it a sense of helplessness.”

On the occasion of Valentine's Day, women's rights activists in Kenya organized a vigil in the capital that they called 'Dark Valentine' to commemorate the murdered women. According to figures, at least 500 women have been victims of femicide in Kenya between 2016 and 2023. a recent report By the Africa Data Huba group of data organizations that work with journalists in several African countries and analyze cases reported in Kenyan news media.

About 300 people wearing black T-shirts waved red roses, lit red candles and observed a minute's silence.

“Why should we keep reminding people that women have to live,” said Zaha Indimuli, co-organizer of the event.

Among the women whose names were read out at the vigil was Grace Wangari Thuiya, a 24-year-old beautician who was murdered in Nairobi in January.

Two days before her death, Mrs. Thuiya her mother in Murang'a County, about 56 miles northeast of Nairobi. During the visit, her mother, Susan Wairimu Thuiya, said they had discussed one 20 year old student who was torn apart just days before and what seemed like an epidemic of violence against women.

Ms Thuiya warned her daughter, who she described as ambitious and jovial, to be careful with her dating choices.

“Fear gripped my heart that day,” Ms Thuiya said of their last meeting.

Two days later, police called Ms Thuiya to inform her that her daughter had died after her boyfriend attacked and stabbed her repeatedly. Ms Thuiya said her daughter had never revealed she was seeing anyone. Police said they arrested a man at the apartment where Grace Thuiya was killed.

“This is all a bad dream that I want to wake up from,” Ms Thuiya said.

The murder of Mrs. Thuiya, among other thingsled to large-scale protests across Kenya at the end of January. Protests against femicide had erupted in Kenya in recent years murder of female Olympic athletesand also in other African countries including South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda.

Activists say the demonstrations were among the largest non-political protests in Kenya's history, with at least 10,000 women and men crowding the streets in Nairobi alone, while thousands more joined in other cities.

At a time of rising anti-gay sentiments, the protests were also intended to draw attention the violence faced by non-binary peoplequeer and transgender women, says Marylize Biubwa, a Kenyan queer activist.

The movement has sparked a backlash, especially online, among men who claim that a woman's clothing or choices justify abuse. Such comments are spread with hashtags like #StopKillingMen and by social media influencers like Andrew Kibe, a men's rights champion and former radio host whose YouTube account was shut down last year for violating the company's terms of service.

“Shut up,” he said in a recent video, referring to those outraged by the killings of women. “You have no right to have an opinion.”

Activists say they don't see enough outrage from political, ethnic or religious leaders.

In Kenya, President William Ruto has been criticized for failing to personally tackle femicide. A spokesperson for his office did not respond to requests for comment. But after the protests, his government promised to expedite investigations and establish a toll-free number where the public can report perpetrators.

Yet campaigners in Kenya and across Africa say more investigators should be hired, judges should decide cases more quickly and legislatures should pass laws to punish perpetrators more severely.

Data collection and research into femicide need to be funded, says Patricia Andago, a researcher at the data company Odipo Dev.

For now, the murders continue to leave a trail of destruction.

On a recent afternoon, Ms. Thuiya, whose 24-year-old daughter was killed in January, sat hugging her two granddaughters, 5-year-old Keisha and 22-month-old Milan. She said Keisha believed her mother had ascended “to heaven” and asked if she could get a ladder to follow her.

“It was very painful,” Ms. Thuiya said of hearing her granddaughter's questions. “I just want justice for my daughter. And I want that justice now.”