UN Women Kenya, in collaboration with UNESCO, is leading efforts to engage men as frontline champions in the fight against femicide and violence against women and girls. The two organizations are working towards intentional male involvement as a key strategy to address the widespread issue of gender-based violence in the country.
Male engagement has been identified as one of the most critical strategies to end pervasive violence and femicide. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat, approximately one woman is killed in Kenya every day, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.
In a statement, UN Women Kenya emphasized that it is actively collaborating with partners and stakeholders to implement initiatives that focus on male engagement and capacity building. These efforts are designed to enhance the role of men in curbing violence against women and girls, and to promote a deeper understanding of the social construction of masculinities within specific cultural and societal contexts.
UN Women and UNESCO also announced that they are working on mechanisms to integrate young men into the National Male Engagement and Inclusion Strategy, a key initiative aimed at transforming societal perceptions and behaviors related to gender.
Sebastian Gatimu, the Planning and Coordination Expert at UN Women Kenya, said, “Male counterparts are defenders of women and girls who are suffering in every community around the world. While the women’s and young women’s movements must continue to lead the charge for gender equality, we need to engage boys and young men more intentionally to achieve gender equality and to prevent femicide and violence against women and girls.”
Male engagement seeks to constructively involve men and boys for the benefit of both genders, ultimately leading to the end of violence against women and girls. UN Women Kenya and UNESCO recently hosted the National Young Male Dialogue, a forum that explored the transformative impact of engaging men as change agents to end femicide. The forum also discussed how gender norms shape the experiences of men and boys and addressed harmful stereotypes.
“Men can support gender equality by advocating for women’s rights, endorsing gender-sensitive policies, and participating in gender equality-led campaigns to raise awareness on women’s empowerment. Many men are starting to challenge the pressure associated with traditional masculinity. They are using their voices and privilege to shift norms and perceptions about gender, and are working to address the patriarchal beliefs, practices, institutions, and structures that have contributed to inequality between men and women. Men’s participation in helping to shape the future of gender roles and relations is crucial,” Gatimu added.
Kenya has set a goal to end gender-based violence by 2026, and male engagement will be key in achieving this objective. The Kenya National Policy on Gender and Development, enacted in 2019, promotes male involvement in managing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), marking a significant step towards ensuring that male involvement is both gender-sensitive and impactful in both public and private spheres.
