Femicide

What does justice for gender-based violence really look like? As Kenya grapples with femicide, political violence against women and persistent gaps in institutional accountability, a conviction alone cannot answer the deeper question of justice. This piece reflects on what meaningful justice should look like—from prevention and accountability to a justice system that works for women and girls before violence becomes irreversible.

MASKAN II is an immersive art installation on femicide in Kenya, produced by Usikimye and Creatives Garage and curated by multidisciplinary artist Thayù. Building on the first MASKAN exhibition of 2025, the second edition returns at a time when women continue to be killed and children continue to disappear.

At least 220 women and girls were killed in Kenya in 2025, most by people they trusted, and often after seeking help. The Femicide Report 2025 shows that these deaths were not accidents but the result of ignored warning signs, social silence, and systemic failure. Ending femicide requires naming it, tracking it, and acting decisively to protect women before violence becomes fatal.

hbs recently partnered with Sauti Sessions and Baraza Media Lab to spotlight the growing crisis of Technologically Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Kenya. Though it happens online, its impacts are deeply offline, fueling harm, trauma, and in some cases escalating to femicide. As the world marks the 2025 16 Days of Activism under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” the dialogue underscored the urgent need for stronger protections and safer digital spaces for women and girls.

Through evocative installations and community engagement, Maskan Tour, done in collaboration with Usikimyie and Creative Garage, turns abstract statistics on femicide and policy failures into visceral, human stories that demand accountability. Explore how this unique exhibition bridges the gap between written policy and lived experience, sparking public dialogue and driving real change in the fight for justice.

In March, the world marked International Women's Day 2025 under the banner #AccelerateAction. Kenya is pivotal in its journey toward gender democracy, but several strides on gender justice and equality remain a mirage.  Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi took stock of its work in partnership with several grassroots and national organizations to spotlight the ongoing struggle through a powerful documentary titled "Feminist Resilience: What Does it mean for Justice and Democracy?" amid global crises, shrinking civic space, and shifting funding priorities.