FIDA, LSK condemn violence against women

The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA), in conjunction with a group of legal practitioners, staged a peaceful protest to condemn violence against women and girls in public and private spaces.

The groups staged a procession from Green Park bus terminus along Haile Selassie Avenue to the office of the Inspector General of Police to deliver a petition calling for the arrest and prosecution of all Gender-Based Violence perpetrators.

Leading the pack was Faith Odhiambo, a Law Society of Kenya (LKS) Vice Presidential hopeful, FIDA Kenya’s Executive Director Anne Ireri and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.

While speaking to the press, Odhiambo reiterated that the country has a progressive constitution whose preamble sets a backdrop and the spirit of the aspirations of Kenyans.

“The men and women of LSK will continue to uphold the rule of law and fight to ensure such perpetrators are brought to book and peace loving Kenyans transact their day to day businesses in an environment free from discrimination and the fear of being attacked out such criminal acts,” said Faith Odhiambo.

The University of Nairobi Law Lecturer further added that Kenya’s constitution provides for framework and mechanisms for the advancement of gender equality and equity throughout all sectors.

“We are here today to demand that the Inspector General of Police takes action against perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence because the country has lost so many innocent lives of Kenyans who are just going about their business peacefully in search of their daily bread yet some people think that they can just discriminate upon them merely because of their gender.

“Our role at LSK is to uphold the rule of law and in doing so, we must defend the victims of gender discrimination, including those, unfortunately, find themselves in situations where they have no one to speak for them or stand with them,” she explained.

The match against boda boda riders came in the wake of horrific scenes along Wangari Maathai road in Nairobi where a female motorist was sexually harassed by boda boda operators.

Meanwhile, President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered a countrywide crackdown on all boda boda operators following the sexual assault of a female motorist last Friday.