by Jessica Akinyi
The worst thing about experiencing a tragic event is that it takes you through a roller coaster of emotions like the 5 stages of grief; first, you experience shock, then denial followed by anger, bargaining and depression before accepting the tragedy as reality.
Advocating against the widespread issue of femicide begins by showing sympathy to the victims and survivors. We should recognize the immense grief and suffering that these girls, women and their loved ones have gone through by expressing empathy and understanding through participating in prevention and support initiatives that provide a safe space for them to share their stories without stigmatization and judgement.
Despite the public awareness campaigns against femicide that have been recently witnessed in the country such as #Total Shutdown Kenya-Again and #Dark Valentine, there is a need for further initiatives that aim to empower the survivors. With most of the survivors running from their homes, there should be shelters that they can be accommodated in. The provision of free counseling and psychological support should also be a key priority in ensuring the survivors are in a good mental state and at the same time ensure they are empowered through skills-based training initiatives while in recovery to enable them obtain financial independence.
Although there is still a long way to go in the Kenyan campaign to stop femicide, human rights activists and lobby groups offer hope that a change is possible. They put forth endless effort to ensure victims receive justice, stop tragedies from happening again, and make the world a better place for women and girls. We can all help in these campaigns by contributing to their efforts, volunteering, or just raising awareness of the significance of their work.
If you or someone you love has lost a loved one to femicide and you feel alone, remember that there is a community willing to listen, support, and fight this injustice in memory of your loved one.
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