Contributions of Women to Peace Building in Kenya: a Case Study of the Post-election Violence in Kibra Constituency, Nairobi City County

Abstract

The study investigate the contributions of women to peacebuilding in Kenya, a case study of the post-election violence in Kibra constituency, Nairobi City County. Peacebuilding challenges in Kenya include inadequate resources, equipment, and infrastructure to cover large areas populated by different communities. The study reviewed literature on peace building in general, global situation of women in peacebuilding, women’s contribution in peacebuilding, challenges facing women in peacebuilding and theoretical framework. This research employed descriptive research design. The study area was Kibra constituency as it is considered one of the hot spots of 2007/8 post-election violence (PEV) in Kenya. The target population was members of women’s groups, women’s group leaders, and women leaders in the local administration. The study targeted 20 women groups, 20 women group leaders and 7 women leaders in the local administration. A stratified random sampling was applied to select the respondents, a sample size of 103 respondents out of 141 people was picked using Proportionate sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and interviews guide by the researcher. The study established that violence against women influences their participation in sustainable peace building in Kibra region; Nairobi, Kenya. The wild scale of discrimination, violence against women and the impunity with which it continues to be perpetuated remain the central obstacles to disseminating the good work being done by women peace builders in Kibra-Nairobi. The study concludes that there is a great potential in achieving women’s full participation in sustainable peace building. Harnessing this potential requires cushioning recognition for women, commitment, leadership and integrity, transparency and accountability, improving institutional capacity and increasing the financial and human resources in the formal, informal peace and the human security sectors. The study recommends that governments should sign national level peace contracts and commitments. This could include National Peace Action Plans with specified time lines to guarantee and to ensure support for women’s full participation in positions of leadership and the peace process.