The Role of Women in Peace Building: a Case Study of Uasin Gishu County of Kenya

Abstract

Over the years, peacebuilding has become important as a means of preventing continuing conflicts between warring factions. Simply put, peacebuilding is a shift from conflict to a peaceful future. It rests on the premise that provision of people’s needs eliminates unrest and lawlessness that arise due to conflict thus preventing a relapse of violence. In many societies, women have been left out, marginalized and discriminated against as a result of patriarchal society. Their roles in peacebuilding are not considered important and they face many challenges in their efforts to rebuild their lives and families. The violence that broke out in Kenya after the 2007 general elections started after the disputed presidential results announced by the then Electoral Commission of Kenya. The violence started between supporters of the two main presidential candidates. This resulted in destruction of property, displacements of people, rape, sexual assault, defilement and domestic violence. Based on the above, the study focused on the roles women especially in Uasin Gishu County played in peacebuilding after the 2007-2008 post-election violence. The study used purposive sampling technique to select the study sample. It focused on the role women played in the County especially in the three districts namely Burnt forest, Turbo and Langas which was hit mostly by the violence. Through conducting face to face interviews, focused group discussions, and consulting documents available to the public, the researcher collected information about what women played as peace builders and advocates in the County after the post-election violence.