Kenyans have been urged to present their proposals on the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) including femicide starting Monday.

A team formed to assess, review, and recommend measures to strengthen the policy, legal and institutional response to GBV including femicide in the country is holding public engagement forums from tomorrow to May, 28 in the counties in line with the constitutional requirements.

In a statement, the Technical Working Group on GBV Including Femicide led by former Deputy Chief Justice Dr Nancy Baraza will hold the public hearings tomorrow in Taita Taveta, Garissa, Marsabit, Embu, Samburu, Kisumu and Trans Nzoia Counties.

On Tuesday, the team will seek views in Kirinyaga, Laikipia and Narok then proceed to Mombasa, Isiolo, Kitui, Nyandarua, Nyeri, West Pokot and Vihiga on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the team will visit Meru, Nakuru, Murangá and Bomet then conclude the public participation forums in Kwale, Makueni, Nandi, Kericho, Kakamega and Nyamira.

On Saturday, Dr Bazara said Kenyans’ views will add value to the proposals that the technical working group will present at the end of the exercise.

“We urge Kenyans to participate in this exercise. All views will be taken into account,” she said, while announcing that all meetings start at 9.00 am.

The team initially appointed by President Ruto on January 10, 2025 for three months had its term extended on April 25, 2025 for two months.

It was formed in response to the rising cases of GBV and killings of women and girls, generally referred to as Femicide, which violate the fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, human dignity, equality, freedom from discrimination, and security of the person.

The president noted that such egregious violations posed a threat to national security and social stability.

Mandate of the Technical Working Group

The technical working group is mandated to: Identify trends, hotspots, and causes contributing to GBV and Femicide, analyze the adequacy of current legal and policy frameworks in addressing GBV and Femicide, propose amendments to strengthen laws, improve enforcement, and close existing legislative gaps and evaluate resource allocation, training levels, and operational effectiveness in managing prevention, response, support and investigations related to cases on GBV and Femicide.

The team is also tasked with conducting community engagements to gather input on solutions to combat GBV and Femicide, providing actionable recommendations on prevention, investigation, prosecution, and survivor support mechanisms in GBV and Femicide cases and examine the role of social media coverage in GBV and Femicide, including its influence on public perception, awareness, and policy-making.

Further the team is also mandated to identify psychological issues related to the commission of crimes associated with GBV and Femicide, establish socioeconomic challenges contributing and exacerbating to the commission of GBV and Femicide as well as recommend proposals to strengthen family ties, foster harmonious co- existence among family members, and develop social structures that support the resolution of domestic disputes.