Peace Building & Conflict Transformation
For several decades in the recent past, pastoral communities in Northern Kenya have witnessed a series of violence characterised by ethnic animosity between different ethnic groups. This has caused far reaching consequences ranging from deaths to displacement of communities causing a sorry state of affairs mainly to women and children. This also explains the reason for deplorable state of affairs in the lives of people whose poverty and illiteracy levels are high.
During conflict, which occurs between different ethnic groups from time to time, women and children find themselves at the receiving end mainly as victims and casualties. CSI is implementing a peace initiative that is all inclusive by bringing in women not as victims of conflict, rather as actors in peace processes.Gender mainstreaming in peace and conflict transformation has proved to be a viable solution to peace since mothers play a key role when Moran(their sons) prepare to go for raids. For instance, among the Pokot community, each Moran intending to participate in raids seeks blessings from his mother who in turn ties a traditional leather belt around her stomach until her son comes back.
She does that to protect her son. Ideally, if the mother refuses to tie the belt he would not go.
During traditional dances, women and girls sing songs of praise to morans who raid other communities successfully. They also sing traditional songs to discourage cowardice.
CSI-Kenya and its partners have initiated a program to reach out to women and girls with the view to persuade morans to refrain against acts of violence.