Mercy Corps, in collaboration with women representatives from Samburu, Turkana, and West Pokot, organized a two-day workshop in Naivasha on June 20th and 21st, 2024 which was conducted by Prospect Peace Institute (PPI) Africa. The purpose of the workshop was to enhance the role of women leaders in peacebuilding across Turkana, Samburu, and West Pokot counties for sustainable peace.

INTRODUCTION

Prospect Peace Institute (PPI) Africa is a policy research and consultancy firm based in Nairobi and majorly focuses on the Horn of Africa Regions. In Kenya, PPI Africa gives special attention in pursuit of Security, Peace and Development in 11 counties spanning North, North Eastern and Coast Regions.

Background and Rationale

PPI Africa was selected by Mercy Corps to conduct a 2-day workshop on enhancing the role of Women Leaders in promoting and implementing peacebuilding initiatives within the Counties of Samburu, Turkana, and West Pokot. These three counties continue to experience conflicts with diverse causal factors. The role of women leaders in peacebuilding is critical in sustaining peace. Women act as mediators, negotiators and even at times as community organizers and therefore, they have a unique perspective and input as well as experience that can promote reconciliation towards creating peace and stability.

Several studies have shown that women and children bear the greatest burden in situations of conflict. Women’s involvement in peacebuilding can foster inclusivity to empower other marginalized voices in the community and since they are critical in broadening, understanding of the root causes of conflicts. Previous attempts and intervention to resolve conflicts and undertake peacebuilding has been dominated by men who at times perpetuate the conflicts.

Following several discussions with the Women Representatives from the three Counties, it was agreed that women leaders and women in society, in general, have a role in the peacebuilding process. Going beyond the usual approach and involving women in peacebuilding can be a gamechanger in efforts aimed at seeking peace in Samburu, Turkana and West Pokot.

Therefore, this workshop was aimed to address the perennial issues of insecurity in the three counties of Samburu, Turkana, and West Pokot with the idea of devising a new and inclusive approach to peacebuilding. The workshop gave attention to the pivotal role of Women leaders in advancing peacebuilding efforts and fostering a sustainable approach to securing the communities in the region. Participants included the Women representatives as well as other selected leaders from the national and county governments and our partners.

METHODOLOGY

Through interactive presentations and collaborative discussions, participants explored the causes of insecurity in the three counties and propose strategies for enhancing Peace and Security in particular involvement of women in peacebuilding. To share experiences and understand practical realities of involving women in peace building, case studies, video clips and panel discussions were included in the programme. The approach to the workshop was meant to deliver on how women can be involved in peacebuilding to attain and promote peace and security in the three Counties.

OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

The main objective of the workshop is to enhance the role of women leaders in peacebuilding for sustainable peace in Turkana, Samburu, and West Pokot Counties. The specific objectives of the workshop are as follows:

• To understand the conflict context and efforts towards fostering peace in the three counties
• To gain insights on social, economic, political and cultural factors related to peace building from women and women leaders.
• Draw/learn from the women leaders how women can be involved in peace building.
• To develop strategies, structured steps and a framework for engaging women leaders in peacebuilding at all levels.