In a powerful display of unity and resilience, on January 27, 2023, the streets of Nairobi, Kenya echoed with the determined footsteps of its citizens, as they embarked on a historic journey that would send shockwaves through the nation. For the first time ever, Kenyans from all walks of life joined forces in the “Feminists March Against Femicide,” a resounding call to their government to put an end to the alarming levels of violence inflicted upon women in their country.

In 2018, when Sharon Otieno, a university student and alleged lover to a highly prolific government official was found dead in Migori, not a lot was done in terms of fighting for her and her unborn baby. This time, I wanted to be a part of this important time in my country’s history.

This year, I had the opportunity to attend the first ever #EndFemicide march in Nairobi, which attracted tens of thousands of demonstrators. Here are the 5 main things I took away from the experience:

1. People were eager to fight for women’s rights: Crowds didn’t only turn up in the country’s capital – demonstrations took place all over the country. On my way to Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi where the march began, I could sense the anticipation and excitement of the people around me – thousands of Kenyans from all walks of life gathered to fight for the rights of women and to express their frustration with the current state of affairs. People from different backgrounds were united to speak up for an important cause.

 

2. The number of femicides remains high: According to Africa Data Hub, there have been over 500 cases of femicide between 2016 and 2024. These statistics are not official, but it is precisely this lack of official government data that concerns the #EndFemicide movement. Of the 500 victims, 152 women were killed in 2023. The highest in all those years. 

 

3. Kenyans are lucky to be able to march without fear: #EndFemicide represents a coming together of Kenyan society to confront discrimination, violence and the culture of chauvinism. The march included an impressive number of attendees holding signs, singing songs and making their demands known. Even though the reason we were gathered was to bring attention to a grave violation of women’s human rights, the atmosphere seemed festive. I believe this was the result of having a space for women to present their complaints freely and safely. Women weren’t afraid to shout and demand for their rights. We were all there for the same purpose and that gave us confidence and reassurance. Given the fact that exercising the right to defend and promote human rights remains a dangerous activity in most Sub-Saharan nations, I felt fortunate to be part of this demonstration without fear.

 

4. ‘Feminists March Against Femicide’ is about much more than just femicide: Even though this movement was born as a response to the number of murders of women in Kenya, it has quickly grown and evolved into a broader claim for women’s rights. The importance of access to sexual and reproductive rights for all women is among the many topics this movement is now fighting for. An example is female activists are demanding that femicide should be distinctly recognized as a crime and for perpetrators to receive heavier sentences. They also want the government to collect data on women, and for health and law officers to be trained so they can proactively identify and protect vulnerable people.

 

5. While discrimination against women is evident in almost all areas of life, it is in the area of sexual and reproductive health that it reaches shocking levels. It is the regulation of women’s sexuality and reproduction that most clearly reveals gender stereotypes and bias. It also brings into focus prevailing ideas about the role that women should play in society and how they are imposed on all women through legislation and highly discriminatory practices… discriminatory norms not only violate a range of human rights, they also generate violence against women and constitute torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

We are not alone in this fight: Kenya’s movement is not the only case. Many countries in Sub Saharan Africa in a new report have been organizing demonstrations to fight for women’s rights. Another example is the massive #TheTotalShutdown march that took place in Pretoria South Africa in 2018 organized by Mandisa Khanyile which was attended by over 40,000 women, girls, and gender-nonconforming people. This fight still has a long way to go, but the fact that the movement exists is a victory in and of itself. Kenya will not stay silent and I will continue fighting to defend women’s rights and encourage others to do the same.