The role of women in conflict management: an assessment of Naboisho conservancy in Kenya

Abstract

This study contends that on one hand, cultural effects and the absence of appropriate policies in Kenya and within conservancies which protect women‟s rights handicaps their participation in decision making. However, on the other hand, the inclusion of women in decision making in conflict management increases their efficiency. The government has undertaken several initiatives towards enhancing conflict management and peace building in the country through the national steering committee on peace building and conflict management. They have not only developed a draft framework for a policy on conflict management but also formulated a draft national policy on peace building and conflict management. However, the policy does not address issues of gender especially in defining the roles of women in conflict management. This has raised the question as to what extent women are involved in conflict management process in Kenya. This study has attempted to look at how inclusion of women conflict management processes and decision making in conflict related programmes could contribute to effective outcomes .Relying on descriptive research design, the study adapts a case study approach by focusing its evaluation on conservancies in Kenya with main focus on Naboisho conservancy in Maasai Mara. Purposive sampling was used for key informants who had specific type of knowledge and skills required for the study. It uses qualitative approach to derive data from primary and secondary sources.