Kenyan women condemn violence in post-election strife

Progress for Women Is Progress for All

Kenyan women condemn violence in post-election strife - February 2008

Kenyan women have called for an immediate end to inter-ethnic killings and gross violations of human rights in the conflict following December’s disputed election, especially the increasing cases of sexual crimes and gang rapes. In a communiqué handed to the mediation team led by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, they demand the proclamation of a national disaster as well as greater security for the civilian population.

Consultations have been held over a period of two weeks to consider ways of engaging the women of Kenya in national efforts to resolve the post-election conflict. These consultations were facilitated by a number of organisations, including Action Aid International, Vital Voices, the Nairobi Peace Initiative, Urgent Action Fund-Africa and UNIFEM. The loss of homes and livelihoods in the last month has led to the displacement of more than 300,000 people. In their appeal to the mediation team the women ask for an urgent response to the special needs of women and children who make up the majority of those who have been displaced. They also call for constitutional reforms and measures to restore the rule of law and order and urge all Kenyans to respect different democratic opinions.

Women from a range of ethnic, religious, generational, political, class and professional backgrounds have been involved. They want to assert their rights as citizens and call for a process of nation building founded on principles of truth, justice, peace and reconciliation. This process must include women’s participation at all levels and stages, as set out in UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, the African Union Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, and the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Acknowledging the challenging task ahead, Kofi Annan reaffirmed the need to have women at the peacebuilding table. He has undertaken to press for women’s participation in the mediation process and has challenged the leaders in government and the ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) to bridge the gap between words and action. He has encouraged Kenyan women to continue to make sure their voices to be heard:

To realise peace, we need complete mobilisation of society at all levels; we need the women.

RDF officers bound for peacekeeping missions receive training on gender concepts and sexual and gender-based violence.

Kenyan women deliberate on means of getting women effectively engaged in national efforts to resolve the post-election conflict.

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