By Rose Maina
When we were recording some interviews for our documentary, Unveiling Shadows, I remember we asked one man what was his view on femicide and he proceeded to say that "madem wacheni tamaa ya doh" which is slang in Kenya meaning women should stop being Money-hungry.
Some people say modern women only want rich men. They call these women "gold diggers." But can wanting a partner with money lead to the killing of women? In Kenya, there have been many cases of femicide - where men murder women.
Kenyan newspapers report tragic stories of women killed by boyfriends or husbands. Often money fights are the cause. A woman asks for financial help and the man refuses. An argument happens and the woman is beaten to death.
In Kenya's cities, some young beauties openly admit they are "gold diggers." They pursue rich older men to pay their bills. The older men expect romance in return for money. When the women leave for someone richer, violence can erupt.
However, most Kenyan women are not gold diggers. They work hard jobs and seek men as partners, not human ATMs. Mary Kamau, a hair stylist says, "We need love and respect, not just money."
Poverty is a bigger issue making Kenyan women vulnerable. With few jobs, some feel they must depend on men's income. This power imbalance breeds control and abuse by men who feel entitled.
Janet Married, who counsels abused women says, "The root problem is patriarchy - the idea that men should dominate women." When women defy this mindset by demanding equality or independence, some men lash out with murderous violence to re-assert their perceived superiority.
In the end, greed affects both genders. Calling women "gold diggers" doesn't justify femicide. As a society, promoting equality, stable jobs and healthy relationships for women is crucial to stop these brutal killings.
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