By John Kariuki
PROF CATHERINE GACHUTHA Director of the Kenya Institute of Business and Counselling Studies (KIBCo) and chairperson Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) has strongly condemned the recent surge of explicit caricatures circulating on social media, terming them as blatant sexism and a gross violation of women’s dignity. These doctored images, which exploit the bodies of women without their consent, have sparked outrage among women leaders and activists, who are calling for immediate accountability and public decency.
The illustrations, which have been linked to protests against alleged abductions by state actors, cross the line of respectful dissent by weaponizing women’s bodies to amplify political messages. Prof. Catherine, expressed her outrage, stating:
“These photos bearing half-naked bodies of women, shared without their consent, are not just demeaning but also deeply disrespectful and inexcusable. They perpetuate sexism, harm the dignity of women, and erode societal morals.”
The misuse of female imagery has a broader impact beyond the targeted individuals. These caricatures, often shared indiscriminately, are consumed by children, exposing them to distorted ideas about gender and morality. This lack of control, Prof Catherine argues, exacerbates the social damage caused by such media.
“This is not just an attack on women; it’s an attack on our values as a society,” added Prof. Catherine. “Our children are being subjected to content that glorifies disrespect and misogyny. Women must not always be associated with negativity.”
Prof Catherine has called on social media platforms, regulators, and civil society to take swift action to curb the spread of such content. She also urged leaders to condemn the use of women’s bodies as tools for political messaging and enforce stricter controls to protect the dignity of all individuals online.
Her statement underscores the urgent need for a gender-sensitive approach in addressing these issues. Women are not tools for political vendettas, and we insist that their respect and dignity must remain inviolable.
This episode highlights a disturbing trend of weaponizing sexism under the guise of activism, a move that women leaders vow to resist with unwavering determination.