Gender Justice

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.

Femicide is rarely an isolated act of violence; it is often the final outcome of a pattern of coercion, control, and abuse that begins long before a woman's life is taken. Through the story of "Salama" and the voices of thousands of Kenyans who marched against femicide, this blog explores the intimate partner violence that remains hidden behind closed doors, the systemic failures that allow it to persist, and the urgent need for stronger laws, survivor-centred support, and collective action. Ending femicide requires more than mourning victims; it demands that we recognize the warning signs, hold perpetrators accountable, and build a society where every woman can live free from fear.

Across Morocco, Kenya, and Madagascar, youth-led movements are challenging political power through decentralised leadership, street mobilisation, and cross-border solidarity. While digital tools help coordinate action, the protests reflect deeper frustrations over inequality, corruption, and political exclusion.

Following that impactful edition, with Sauti Session on, tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), we sat down with Wafula to discuss the inspiration behind Sauti Sessions, why this partnership was so pivotal, and what he hopes will be the lasting impact of bringing survivors, experts, and citizens together to confront one of the most pervasive forms of abuse today. This is what he had to say.

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.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation (hbs) Nairobi, in partnership with the Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination (INEND), has released a new publication titled Reshaping Narratives: Media Engagement Strategies for LGBTIQ+ Persons in Kenya. The report examines how the Kenyan media portrays sexual and gender minorities and explores practical strategies for fostering more inclusive, accurate, and ethical reporting. By combining community insights, journalist perspectives, and media analysis, the study highlights both the progress made and the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair representation, dignity, and equality for LGBTIQ+ persons in Kenya.