Women religious leaders as actors in ethnic conflict management and resolution in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu districts, Kenya
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Date
2004-01
Authors
Maina, Newton Kahumbi
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Abstract
This study investigated women religious leaders as actors in ethnic conflict management
and resolution in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu districts, Kenya. These two districts in the Rift
Valley Province, suffered the worst effects of the ethnic clashes that took place between
1992-1998.
[he study was based on the general premise that in all conflict related situations women
bear the greatest brunt of the violence. Yet, they are hardly represented in peace
negotiations and in the various structures of peace making. Where they are included, the
number of women is miserably minimal or negligible. By and large, the study shows that
during the ethnic clashes, women were the main victims of the mayhem perpetrated by
the attackers. Nevertheless, women are sidelined in various structures and processes of
peace building. They are also under represented in the various peace meetings.
The study has demonstrated that religion can be integrated with gender dimension in
peace building, conflict prevention and management. This is underscored by the
significant roles of women in peace building. These roles are evident from the work of
Rural Women Peace Link, a network of women groups that is geared to peace building in
the areas that have suffered the effects of ethnic clashes and other violent related conflicts
such as cattle rustling.
Various organizations that are involved in peace building, and conflict prevention and
management are identified and discussed. These include the National Council of
Churches of Kenya (NCCK); the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJ&PC) and
Catholic Women Association (CWA) under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of
Nakuru (CON); Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR); and Mothers Union and Nakuru
Region Inter-diocesan Christian Community Services, under the aegis of the Anglican
Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Nakuru. The role of women religious leaders in
peace building, conflict prevention. management and resolution is discerned from the
various programs that are run by these organizations.
The study employs a theoretical framework that is reconstructed from the functionalist
theory of religion and the roles of religious women. This is in view of the fact that
women religious leaders operate within the purview of religion. Hence it is within the
context of religion that the roles of women religious leaders has been explained and
understood.
Description
Ph.D-Philosophy and Religious Studies, 78p. January 2004