What in the World - Why is femicide on the rise in Kenya?

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Demonstrations have been taking place across Kenya to protest femicide and violence against women. The demonstrations follow the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu and the dismemberment of student Rita Waeni earlier this month.

BBC Africa journalist Danai Nesta Kupemba tells us about the cases and explains what changes are needed to protect women in Kenya. Esther Ogola, a BBC women’s affairs journalist based in Nairobi, describes how violence against women is rooted in social beliefs.

The two brutal murders have sparked a wave of activism. People are using the hashtags #StopKillingWomen and #EndFemicideKe and attending rallies across the country. Women who joined these marches tell us why it’s important to protest.

Among the many challenges women face is ‘the manosphere’, a dark corner of social media where it’s common to blame the victims of gender-based violence. Activist Onyango Otieno explains how he is trying to tackle toxic masculinity in Kenya.

This episode contains discussion about sexual assault and harassment. Details of organisations offering information and support with these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison, Imogen James and William Lee Adams
Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Published on Monday, 29th January 2024.

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