The case of Gaala Aden Abdi, a 17-year-old refugee from Dadaab, is a tragic example of the extreme consequences of forced marriages and gender-based violence.

Gaala was abducted from her home at the Dagahaley refugee camp and taken 150 kilometers to Wajir South, where she was forced into a marriage.

During her captivity, she endured severe abuse, and ultimately, she was murdered. Her body was then burned beyond recognition, and she was hastily buried in accordance with Muslim burial rituals.

The exhumation of Gaala’s body for a postmortem examination, is a crucial step in gathering evidence to support the murder case.

The postmortem will help confirm the nature of the abuse she suffered and provide vital evidence of the crime.

Magistrate Roselyn Aganyo expressed her frustration with the delays in the case, emphasizing that justice must be served swiftly.

She has ordered the police to accelerate the investigation, warning that any further delay could compromise the evidence needed for a successful prosecution.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has condemned Gaala’s murder, calling it a horrific act of femicide and emphasizing the broader issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Kenya.

The KNCHR highlighted that this case is not just about murder, but also about the cruel treatment of women and girls, particularly in the context of forced and child marriages.

They are demanding that the authorities take decisive action to bring those responsible to justice and to address the systemic issues contributing to such violence.

This tragic incident also serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of refugees, particularly young girls, who are often exposed to harmful cultural practices.

The KNCHR has called for stronger legal protections for refugees, as well as for an end to harmful traditions like forced marriages.

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