The Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, and Children Services Hanna Wendot Cheptumo has declared that Kenya will step up efforts to eliminate femicide and all forms of gender-based violence, as the country observed International Women’s Day (IWD) under the global theme "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”
Speaking during the IWD national celebrations held at the Nakuru Athletics Club in Nakuru County, the CS announced that the government had received a comprehensive report from the Presidential Technical Working Group on GBV, including Femicide, and is in the process of reviewing its recommendations to ensure practical and full implementation.
“These acts are barbaric. They violate not only the law but also the conscience of our society,” CS Cheptumo said. “As the CS for Gender, I ought to state unequivocally that this country shall adopt zero tolerance for femicide and all forms of gender-based violence. It is just a matter of time," she added.
The CS used the occasion to highlight the government’s progress in advancing gender equality through special programs aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion, reducing overreliance on harmful cultural practices that erode their dignity.
Through the Women Enterprise Fund, she said that the government is supporting women to access affordable credit, digital and financial literacy skills, mentorship, and market linkages to enable them to start and operate sustainable businesses. Similarly, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) is providing start-up capital for affirmative action groups to increase their household incomes.
CS Cheptumo noted that the ministry is utilizing the multi-agency approach involving government institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the community to eradicate harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, which continues to perpetuate violence against women and girls.
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted progress in the legislation of gender-related policies to streamline operations in the sector. She announced that the National Policy on Women's Economic Empowerment has been approved by Cabinet, while work is accelerating on the National Care Policy, which aims to recognize, value, and reward unpaid care work traditionally borne by women.
The CS was joined in the celebrations by the Principal Secretary for Gender Affairs Anne Wang’ombe, High Court Judge Millicent Odeny, UN Women country representative Antonia Ngabala, Chinese Deputy Ambassador Zhang Zhizhong, Nakuru County officials, development partners, and representatives of civil society, among other guests.