Perspectives and Experiences of Women Involved in Peacebuilding Processes in Kenya
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Date
2023-11
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JAIS
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate experiences of women involved in peacebuilding
processes in Kenya. The driving factor for the study was political instability and ethnic conflicts
have plagued Kenya, especially since the post-election violence in 2007 and 2008, which
claimed the lives of over a thousand people and displaced over 600,000. Many women have been
subjected to sexual abuse, been forced to flee their homes, and lost loved ones as a result of these
wars. Despite these setbacks, women in Kenya have participated in peacemaking initiatives.
Their contributions to community building and healing have been invaluable. Women have
played an important role in many aspects of peacebuilding, including but not limited to conflict
resolution, mediation, negotiations, and the promotion of social cohesion and community
development. The Women's Peace Caravan is an outstanding instance of women's participation
in peacebuilding in Kenya. In 2008, a group of women who had been impacted by the violence
that followed an election launched this effort. The Ladies’ Peace Caravan was a group of ladies
from all over the country who set out on a journey to spread messages of peace and unity. The
caravan went to the locations where the violence had taken place and hosted seminars and
discussions on fostering peace. Through non-governmental groups, women have also contributed
to fostering peace. For instance, the Kenyan Women's Peace Network (KEWOPA) is a network
of organizations led by women that advocate for national stability. Conflict resolution,
mediation, and promoting women's rights in peacebuilding are all areas in which KEWOPA has
participated. Women peacebuilders in Kenya, however, encounter significant obstacles. In
peacebuilding efforts, women frequently experience a lack of access to resources and prejudice
because of their gender. Women rarely have a voice in formal peace talks and are routinely left
out of decision-making procedures. The role of women in fostering peace is also
underappreciated. The study findings revealed that Kenyan women participate in local peace
committees, civil society groups, and community-based organizations to build peace. Women's
perspectives and engagement in addressing the root causes of conflicts and fostering inclusive,
long-term peace need to be highlighted. The study established that Kenyan women confront
several peacebuilding challenges such as discrimination, marginalization, gender-based violence,
and exclusion from decision-making which cause setbacks. If these trends continue, women's
engagement may reduce violence and conflict, increase democracy, and improve social cohesion
and reconciliation. The study recommends the need to involve Kenyan women in peacebuilding
outreach and support for women's organizations and civil society groups, training and capacitybuilding, and efforts to remove systemic impediments to women's participation in decisionmaking.
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Citation
Gichinga, T. W & Mulu, F. (2023). Perspectives and Experiences of Women Involved in Peacebuilding Processes in Kenya. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 7(11), 364 – 373.