‘STOP ATTACKING WOMEN FOR WEARING INVITING CLOTHES’ SAYS ESTHER PASSARIS 

Nairobi County Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, has issued a public statement condemning the growing trend of violence against women because of how they dress. 

In a passionate address, she called on Kenyan men and law enforcement to take immediate and serious action to protect women’s rights and lives. Passaris delivered her speech in response to a series of recent incidents where women have been harassed, assaulted, and even killed, with public often shifting blame to victims based on their attire.

“Stop attacking women because they’re wearing inviting clothes,” Passaris stated. “Even if someone wears clothes that reveal the legs and cleavage, that does not give you permission to abuse her, rape her, or kill her. These are my goods, they are not yours. If I show them off, they are mine. Look and move on.”

Passaris also said that a woman’s choice of clothing is never an invitation for violence or a justification for criminal behaviour. “This thing of abusing women because they have worn inviting clothes must end. If I don’t love you, you can’t force me. Raping women is a crime,” she asserted.

The woman rep also expressed her frustration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accusing it of failing in its duty to deliver justice and transparency in cases involving violence against women.

“The DCI is letting us down. There are so many women in Kenya who have been killed, and you are not giving us updates,” Passaris said, calling for urgency and resolution in the investigation of gender-based violence cases across the country.