The tragic deaths of Sia and Rebecca at the hands of their partners have left a profound void in their families and communities. Sia, a promising communications professional, was a passionate advocate for Sierra Leone and the city of Freetown. She died of blunt force trauma including seven broken ribs. She was also the sister of SGUW's Regional Director in Bo, Tewoh Karimu.
Rebecca, a mother, long distance runner, and internationally ranked marathoner, was a strong advocate for all runners, particularly women from Africa and her native Uganda. She was burned over 75% of her body. She leaves behind two daughters.
Femicide is the name given to the practice of killing women. It remains a severe issue around the globe including in many parts of Africa, with various underlying factors contributing to its persistence. Here are some contributing factors:
High Rates of Gender Based Violence: Many African countries experience high rates of violence against women and children, including femicide. This violence often stems from deep-rooted patriarchal norms, gender inequality, and systemic issues within legal and social systems. Femicide is almost always committed by a partner, family member or person known to the victim.
Cultural and Social Norms: In some communities, cultural practices and norms contribute to the normalization of extreme violence against women. Practices like child marriage, female genital mutilation, and traditional forms of justice can exacerbate the vulnerability of women.
Legal and Institutional Responses: Efforts to address femicide vary wildly by country. Some nations have made strides in enacting laws and policies to protect women and punish perpetrators. For instance, South Africa has relatively progressive laws, but implementation and enforcement remain inconsistent. Other countries lack comprehensive legal frameworks and/or struggle with inadequate and disinterested law enforcement.
Economic and Social Factors: Economic dependency, lack of education, and limited access to resources also increase women's vulnerability to violence. Economic empowerment and education are critical in mitigating these risks.
The situation is complex and varies widely across the continent, but addressing femicide in Africa requires a multi-faceted approach, including legal reform, social change, and international support.
At a time when the government in Afghanistan just ban women from talking in public- this is the time to act. We can no longer accept these unjust and immoral practices.
murder is murder
assault is assault
rape is rape
enough is enough
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