KILIFI, County—A Kilifi women’s rights activist has called for stronger laws and tougher action against gender-based violence, warning that communities must do more to protect women and girls from abuse.
Najma Maangi, who is seeking the Kilifi County Woman Representative seat, has urged Members of Parliament to develop and strengthen legislation aimed at tackling gender-based violence and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.
Maangi said the fight against GBV should not be left to the courts and security agencies alone, calling for greater involvement of communities in prevention, awareness and reporting.
She challenged the Kilifi County security leadership to intensify public sensitisation campaigns and work closely with residents to address cases of violence against women and girls.
Maangi proposed the use of chiefs’ barazas, churches, mosques and other community gatherings to create awareness on GBV, encourage reporting and educate residents on how to support survivors.
Her call comes as Kilifi continues to face concerns over teenage pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence, particularly affecting adolescent girls.
County data cited in recent discussions on teenage pregnancies showed that more than 7,000 girls aged between 10 and 19 became pregnant in 2025, putting renewed focus on the vulnerability of girls and the circumstances exposing them to early pregnancy and sexual abuse.
The figures have triggered calls for stronger interventions involving parents, schools, religious institutions, community leaders, health workers and security agencies.
Beyond legislation, Maangi said communities have a critical role to play in changing attitudes that allow abuse to go unreported or perpetrators to escape accountability.
She urged chiefs and religious leaders to make GBV prevention a regular subject in community meetings and religious gatherings, rather than only addressing the issue after a serious incident has occurred.
She also called on residents to speak out against abuse and ensure cases involving women and children are reported to the relevant authorities.
The push comes amid broader efforts in Kilifi to strengthen support for survivors of gender-based violence, including the expansion of safe spaces where victims can access medical care, counselling, legal assistance and other forms of support.
Maangi said sustained public awareness, stronger enforcement of the law and community involvement were necessary to confront the problem and create safer environments for women and girls.
For Kilifi, the challenge is increasingly shifting beyond responding to individual cases to addressing the conditions that allow violence, sexual exploitation and teenage pregnancies to persist.
The debate is now placing renewed attention on the role of Parliament, security agencies and local communities in protecting some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
