News & Blog
Severely Mutilated Bodies Discovered in Mukuru kwa Njenga
The Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) expresses profound sadness and outrage over the unfolding discovery of multiple bodies at the Kware dumpsite in Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Njenga informal settlement. During a press statement held yesterday, Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja stated that eight bodies had been recovered as of July 13, 2024. Preliminary investigations indicate that all the recovered bodies are female.
Read More
Behind Bars, Not Behind Doors!
The recent, horrifying killing of Starlet Wahu, 26 year old and an unidentified 24-year-old woman who was found murdered in Roysambu is a clear reminder of the femicide crisis plaguing Kenya, where women are not safe.
Chilling statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveal that over 81,000 women were internationally killed in 2021, with a staggering 56% murdered by intimate partners or family members. In Kenya, the situation is no less alarming. According to the National Crime Research Centre, a woman loses her life to an intimate partner or family member every 48 hours. The KDHS 2022 report shows that 28% of women aged 15- 49 who have ever had a husband or intimate partner have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence. This data echoes the Kenyan reality, where the majority of femicides are often fueled by a mix of harmful gender norms, unequal power dynamics, and impunity for perpetrators.
Read More
Broken System, Broken Lives: Kenya’s Failed Response to Femicide
Over the past couple of months there has been a disturbing surge in femicide cases in Kenya, with no end in sight. News reports are filled with stories of young women whose lives were tragically cut short.
Read More
FGM Tests a Violation of Girls’ Rights
The Coalition on Violence against Women (COVAW) strongly condemns the directive issued by the Narok County Commissioner George Natembeya on 03.01.2019 –’FGM TESTS A MUST, in the Daily Nation Newspaper.
Read More
Lobby- Educate Youth on Sex, Not Lower Consent Age
PRESS Statement 8th April, 2019; 10:00 am: The Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) has opposed the reduction of the age of consent from 18 to 16. It has urged the government to devise strategies to increase understanding of sexual and reproductive health. “COVAW calls upon the Kenyan government to develop a comprehensive sexual education […]
Read More
Justice For Liz Press Release 7th of May
Press release 7th May 2014 INACTION REGARDING JUSTICE FOR LIZ/BUSIA RAPE CASE BY THE DPP, AG, KENYAN POLICE, AND CID OFFICES INCREASINGLY BECOMING A MAJOR CONCERN.The state’s delay in securing justice for Liz after she was gang raped mid last year has become a matter of increasing concern to both the public and civil society […]
Read MoreCourt Case for Sexual Gender Based Violence During Post Election Violence Continues on Wednesday 23-25th April Before Justice Isaak Lenaola at The High Court of Kenya, Milimani At 9am
PRESS RELEASE , 22nd April 2014 A PETITION seeking to compel the government to address cases of sexual violence committed during the 2007/2008 Post Election mayhem, resumes on April 23, 2014 at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division, presided over by Justice Isaac Lenaola. The Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Petition No. 122 of 2013, was […]
Read MoreBusia Gang Rape Allowed to Proceed to Court Without Further Delay
JOINT PRESS RELEASE, 06/02/2014 The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) jointly with the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) and FIDA-Kenya releases this joint press statement to update the public on progress in the Busia sexual violence matter known as the ‘Justice For Liz’ case.On Monday 3rd February 2014, the aforementioned parties […]
Read MoreInternational and Local Organisations Challenge the DPP that there is sufficient evidence to lay charges of gang rape and that 16 year old Liz is entitled to her day in Court
Press Release 31 January 2014 International and Local Organisations Challenge the DPP that there is sufficient evidence to lay charges of gang rape and that 16 year old Liz is entitled to her day in Court. Today INGOs and local organisations called on the head of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to reconsider its […]
Read MoreHearing of the constitutional petition filed on behalf of sexual gender-based violence survivor of the post-election violence at the high court of Kenya before hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola on 22nd January 2014 at 9am
Press Release Nairobi, 21 January 2014 on Wednesday, 22 January 2014, four civil society organizations and eight individual petitioners begin their trial against the Attorney General and five other senior government officials for their failure to protect victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) during the post-election violence of 2007-8, their failure to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators, […]
Read More
COVAW Q2 Impact Bulletin
Posted on: Mon, Aug 4, 2025 | 12:02 amA Note From Our Acting Executive Director Dear friends, feminists, and fellow changemakers, The past quarter has been challenging for us at COVAW and for many across the country.
Read More
Feminist Action in Motion – COVAW in 2025
Posted on: Fri, May 2, 2025 | 12:12 amIn Kenya, as in many African countries, childcare work is often undervalued—seen as a last resort rather than a viable career. COVAW is set to change that. This quarter, COVAW and WUSC officially launched the Action for Paid Childcare Sector Transformation Project (ACT), a four-year project supported by Global Affairs Canada, to elevate childcare from a fallback job to a respected vocation for women in Kenya and Malawi.
Read More
COVAW Q1 NEWSLETTER
Posted on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 | 12:15 am2025 began with a big move for COVAW – literally! We relocated to a new, more spacious office filled with natural light and fresh energy. Now fully settled in, we’ve hit the ground running, and our commitment to defending and promoting women’s rights is stronger than ever.
Read More
Highlights From the Fourth Quarter
Posted on: Tue, Dec 24, 2024 | 12:18 amAs we reflect on this past quarter, we are grateful for your unwavering dedication and commitment to COVAW’s mission. Together, we have witnessed remarkable growth this year, with transformative progress in our projects across multiple counties.
Read More
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Elections and Responsibilities
Posted on: Sun, Jul 21, 2024 | 12:27 pmRead More
12,424 ‘missing’ candidates are more than just numbers
Posted on: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 | 12:32 pmRead More
Salute to Kenyan women who triumphed in the elections
Posted on: Fri, Jul 19, 2024 | 12:35 pmRead More
The Sub-Regional Networking Forum for Women with Disability Advocates
Posted on: Mon, Oct 13, 2025 | 10:55 pmAt the Sub-Regional Networking Forum for Women with Disability Advocates from Kenya, Rwanda, and Malawi, held in Nairobi, Habiba Osman from the Malawi Human Rights Commission called for real accountability. In her words, “paper commitments mean little without action that protects, resources that empower, and systems that include.”
Read More
#WorldMentalHealthDay
Posted on: Fri, Oct 10, 2025 | 11:09 pmThis #WorldMentalHealthDay, we are in Isiolo County promoting mental health awareness and ending stigma around seeking help.
Read More
Closing gaps in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response training
Posted on: Mon, Sep 29, 2025 | 11:21 pmChildcare workers are the backbone of our communities and the essential workforce that makes all other work possible. Yet, their safety and inclusion are often overlooked. Last week, COVAW, through the Action for Paid Childcare Sector Transformation Project, convened Kisumu and Kakamega counties for two-day training sessions aimed at driving systemic change. The sessions focused […]
Read More
COVAW Calls for Protection of Domestic Workers after Tragic Death
Posted on: Fri, Sep 26, 2025 | 3:57 pmNo woman should lose her life while simply trying to earn a living.
@covaw stands with Zaituni Kavaya’s family in demanding justice and stronger protections for domestic workers.
Justice, at last!
Posted on: Sat, Jul 19, 2025 | 3:53 pmAfter 13 long years, 4 brave survivors of post-election sexual violence have finally received compensation from the Government of Kenya, a first in the country’s history. This moment is about more than money; it’s about recognition, dignity, and healing.
Read More
The Day of The African Child
Posted on: Mon, Jun 18, 2018 | 3:04 pmOn the 16th of June 2018, COVAW and the National Council for Children’s Services will commemorate the Day of the African Child in Menzamwenye, Lunga Lunga Sub-County, Kwale County. This year’s theme is ‘Leave No Child Behind for Africa’s Development’. We are going to talk on issues about FGM/C, SGBV, Child Trafficking and Child Sexual […]
Read More
Gender Desk Launch at Archers Post Police Station: 26th June 2014 Speech
Posted on: Thu, Jun 26, 2014 | 3:14 pmIt is with great pleasure that i stand here before you as we celebrate the opening of the gender desk at archers post police station. I feel proud that as we mark this mile stone on our endeavour to make Samburu county a place safe for women, girls, men and boys, we can say that […]
Read MoreGlobal Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
Posted on: Fri, Jun 13, 2014 | 3:14 pmThe Foreign Secretary of Britain, William Hague and Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, co-hosted the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict on June 10-13, 2014 in London.This was the largest gathering ever brought together on the subject, with a view to creating irreversible momentum against sexual violence […]
Read MoreCourt Proceedings Update of The Public Interest Litigation Case on Sexual Gender Based Violence Victims During The 2007/8 Post Election Violence
Posted on: Thu, Apr 17, 2014 | 3:21 pmUPDATE 17th April 2014 The public Interest litigation case which seeks justice for sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) victims of the 2007/2008 post-election violence (PEV) has lined its first witness before the High Court of Kenya. Patricia Nyaundi, a secretariat for the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights, ably examined by lawyer Kethi Kilonzo, talked […]
Read MoreSuspect in Liz case charged in court
Posted on: Sat, Nov 9, 2013 | 3:40 pmNJERI RUGENE A young man was charged in court Friday with the attack on a Busia pupil whose story has attracted global attention. (READ: ‘Stand up for Liz’ grabs West’s attention)’. But the candidate in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations was charged with causing grievous harm to the Standard Seven pupil, together with […]
Read More