In Kenya, a surge in femicides has prompted women to take self-defense measures, with at least 97 women killed between August and October of 2024. In response, community initiatives like "Cucu Jukinge" ("Grandma protect yourself") have been established, teaching self-defense skills to women, including 93-year-old Mary Wainaina, who successfully used these techniques to fend off an attacker. Researchers attribute the rise in violence to patriarchal attitudes, economic hardships, and inadequate legal protections, noting that spousal rape is not criminalized in Kenya. Despite police assurances of addressing femicide seriously, responses are often inadequate, and measures like establishing a Missing Persons Unit have been criticized for insufficient action. Women's safety and protection remain significant concerns, fueling the urgency of grassroots efforts like Cucu Jukinge.
Compiled from: Sonia Rao, “Kenya's violence epidemic: women train to fight back,” Reuters, Jan. 31, 2025.