Women The Answer To Conflict

The women are said to be instrumental and better placed when it comes to conflict resolution since they bear the blunt of the effects of violence as compared to men.

During a women's meeting at Muchongoi Catholic Parish in Baringo County, the women suggested empowerment as a necessary factor to enable women better manage conflicts mostly caused by cattle rustlers.

According to Barpelo Location Chief Ms Irene Kosgei there is need to involve women in most community and family activities and peace efforts.

Speaking during the meeting, Ms Kosgei underscored the need to educate the girl child since this was one of the most appropriate empowerment resources and instrument of change.

She encouraged women in the pastoralist community to diversify their agricultural activities and embrace crop farming, saying over reliance on livestock keeping has led to increased cases of cattle rustling.

Ms Kosgei added that outdated cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) must be condemned at all costs.

ANTI-FGM CAMPAIGN

She also observed that such activities were unnecessary at this time of age adding that persons found practicing the vice will be arrested and prosecuted.

Her sentiments were echoed by Laikipia County Executive Committee member in charge of Roads, Transport, Housing and Energy Ms Virginia Wambui Nderitu, who observed that women are mostly affected during conflicts and hence there is need to empower them.

She said empowering women to take up leadership positions was one of the best ways to ensure that positive change is realised across the globe.

Muchongoi resident Ms Truphena Kandie lamented that cases of cattle rustling have forced the closure of many schools in the area while thousands of people have been displaced.

Ms Kandie added that women must come up with resolutions to ensure that they work together not as members from a particular community but as Kenyan women.

SCHOOL CHILDREN

She also called on parents to encourage their children, some of who are being used to carry out raids, to go to school as a way of diverting their attention from crime to meaningful development.

Ms Kandie regretted that most of the children involved cattle raids are as young as 12 years who are of school-going age and called on the government to empower women so that they can take part in matters of conflict resolution.

Speaking to the press, Nyahururu-based St Martins Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Coordinator   Dennis Wanjala said it has been a long journey for residents of Muchongoi to enjoy peace.

He said, however, that time has come for a change in strategy used in conflict resolutions and hence women would be instrumental in this.

He said women are better in the use of non-violent conflict resolutions since they get their energies and strength in groups.

This year’s International Women’s Day was aimed at reflecting on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

This theme “Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It!” envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.

The 2015 International Women’s Day sought to highlight the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments 20 years ago that sets the agenda for realizing women’s rights.

By Peter Mwangi