While most may ask "why femicide?", the question could still be "why a Stand-Alone Act?"

A Stand-Alone Act on femicide is a legislative order, that if made law, would define, recognise and punish the intentional and discriminative killing of women as a distinct offence.

Kenya for sometime now, has witnessed a chain of documented killings targeted to women and girls. From their observation deck Hope Toria, Gladwell Watiri, Nuria Martin, Nzia Ndolo and Spencer Muhonja authored a position paper to offer recommendations, especially on legal reforms.

This paper describes existing frameworks as either silent, vague or too weak to address the gendered nature and power dynamics unique to these killings, with cases ending up mishandled, overlooked, or dismissed, and perpetrators benefiting most from the systemic gaps.

Along with the stand-alone law, these researchers also recommend:

• Training to law enforcers to understand elements of femicide.
• A public database of sexual offenders and perpetrators.
• Civil education against harmful gender norms and misogynistic aspects.

The paper also highlights economic vulnerability of women, making them dependent, as a fuel of silence and negative resilience in hostile and abusive environments leading to femicide.

And we beg to ask, would a Stand-Alone Act bring any difference?

Click here for the full read, and catch the authors' arguments on Youtube.