Rural Women Peace Link

POKOT COUNTY WOMEN ASPIRANTS’ ROAD SHOW

RWPL in partnership with the UN Women is implementing the “Kina Mama Tuamke!” project under the gender, governance  programme (GGP III) that is aimed at promoting devolution by engaging women and youth in the changing political culture in Kenya. RWPL has provided platforms to enhance the visibility and raise the silent voices of local women in conflict situations. A road show campaign for 6 women aspirants was organized on 28th February 2013 during which the women candidates had a chance to meet potential voters in the three constituencies of Kacheliba, Kapenguria and Sigor. The road show incorporated all women candidates irrespective of their party/political affiliation and was aimed at introducing the women candidates to the voters in the respective areas and to promote and propagate harmony among the candidates towards a peaceful campaign.

Pokot Council of Elders Sets History in Women’s Empowerment

In defying traditional stereotypes where women have not been recognized  in leadership, the Pokot Council of elders sitting at Makutano at the Gazeto Resort on 21st February 2013 broke away from tradition by endorsing six women aspirants and also in signing a petition pledging to continuously work with women now and in future. Sixty elders from Kacheliba, Kapenguria and Sigor led by their Chairman assured the women candidates of their support and thanked the RWPL and the UN Women for the unique and pioneering initiative to promote women’s empowerment in Pokot County. During the ceremony, all the women aspirants who turned up were given time to outline their candidature and what they intend to do in transforming Pokot County.

Elders signing the historic petition

Lizah Akinyi, RWPL Programme Officer explains details of the petition before the signing and below one of the aspirants promoting her agenda

The Pokot community are late-comers in terms of development owing to misguided leadership, misplaced priorities and retrogressive culture. We welcome this idea to include our daughters in improving development through their participation in leadership and pledge to work in solidarity with them

Community Forums on GBV Enhanced

RWPL in collaboration with IRC is currently holding a series of community forums under the Peace Initiative Kenya programme in the Counties. Through the meetings, communities are sensitized on gender based violence, civic (voter) education and also to conduct analyses of early warning and early response as mechanisms towards to forthcoming General Elections on March 4th 2013. So far over 12 community meetings targeting 40 participants each have been held in Mt. Elgon, Trans Nzoia, Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties. The meetings target women, men, youth will be conducted up to end of February 2013.

 I now understand the importance of casting my vote and the different elective positions at the ballot. I also appreciate the need to promote peace and harmony for the greater good - Joseph Kiptoo, participant

Engaging Youths in Higher Instituions of Learning on GBV

On 9th February 2013 Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) hosted a youth forum on the role of women in the forthcoming General Elections slated for 4th March 2013. The event was facilitated by RWPL in collaboration with MMUST administration under funding by Hivos Netherlands. 150 participants discussed women’s bodily integrity, violence against women and exchanged views on personal experiences on sexual and harassment on campus. At the end of the long-day forum consensus reached was that everyone has a responsibility to prevent GBV by speaking out. Speech, campus politics, dress code, wrong company, tribalism, were among the issues the forum identified under bodily integrity that could lead to violence. MMUST has established an effective GBV Club.

WOMEN’S BUNGE: LOCAL PLATFORMS AGANST WOMEN’S VIOLATIONS

Rural Women Peace Link in collaboration with Hivos continues empowering women and girls to be active citizens and change agents through Women’s Bunge. The Bunge is specifically designed for women to voice against violations on the women body integrity and to advocate for their rights. Among others, Women’s Bunges address:

1. what women bodily integrity is all about;

2. women’s rights on sexual reproductive health, their security and fundamental freedoms;

3. what the current constitution provides women in terms of no.2 above.

4. how women should engage in platforms of change to achieve and safeguard on their rights within the new constitution;

5.  what women have not yet attained and how they should strategize   in order to achieve no.2 above.

The Women’s Bunges are convened at the local level to sensitize and create awareness among grassroots women and to facilitate them to voice their concerns. So far, RWPL has held Women’s Bunges in Mt. Elgon, East Baringo, Nandi,  Pokot and Uasin Gishu. A series of Bunges have been planned with the latest having taken place in Nandi and Uasin Gishu.

Mary Chepkwony, RWPL Deputy Team Leader addressing a Women’s Bunge at Segero in Uasin Gishu County

STOP PRESS: RWPL Networks and Partners Decry Insecurity

The General Elections in Kenya are fast approaching, slated for 4th March 2013. Prior to this, a 30 days voter registration process just ended on 19th December 2012. Party nominations scheduled for 17th January 2013 across the country are also planned for with potential for sporadic violence as various contenders vie for elective posts across the country. Since December 2012, incidences of violence, ethnic hatred, political party push and pull, tensions and threats have dominated news headlines. The killings in the Tana Delta have raised fears of a repeat of the 2007 violence. The RWPL in collaboration with various partners continues to build the capacity of communities and network actors to mitigate conflicts and Gender Based Violence in conflict prone zones. In response to the killing of innocent and defenseless women and children in the Tana Delta, we would like to issue the following press statement:

Reflective Workshop on Education and Mentorship

A one-day reflective forum bringing together students from various institutions who are currently receiving support under the RWPLs Education and Mentorship Programme was held at the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) on 1st December 2012. The day-long forum was also attended by representatives of the RWPL Board members and staff. The climax of the event was a powerfully delivered presentation and motivational talk by a Guest Speaker, John Kibet Tirop (Principal of Kipkeino Secondary School) on how a student can track progress and set clear academic targets. Speakers at the event were the RWPL Team Leader Selline Korir and Board Members Rev. Paul Korir and Madam Irene Magut. The students are sponsored through two elaborate programmes: Moving Kenyan Girls Forward and some well wishers. Each student also got to know their respective sponsors and had a chance to write a thank you card in appreciation on the support.

RWPL Programme Coordinator, Lilliane Bwire (Extreme Left) issues instructions to the student participants prior to the forum. Below, RWPL Team Leader Selline Korir addressing the participants

We expect blossoming faces because once you have been touched by God you should never ever remain the same. We have called you here to interact and understand one another and to assure you that you are not alone; that your problem is the least problem; to help one another know that no matter where we come from we have the potential to overcome; to share the good talents and gifts; do not strive to be like others or remain timid; be confident and proud of who you are~

RWPL Commemorates 16 Days of Activism

The Rural Women Peace Link (RWPL) in partnership with IRC-Kenya through USAID-Kenya sponsored project “Peace Initiative Kenya (PIK)” organized campaigns to sensitize the public against gender-based violence. The events in 2012 have been targeted to coincide within the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence under the theme: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World” and the clarion call to “Promote Peace and Stop Violence Against Women”. 
The campaigns were launched countrywide and rolled out by partners including IRC, RWPL, Peace Net, COVAW, FIDA, Well Told Stories, AWCFS and Sauti Ya Wanawake Pwani in collaboration with their respective Peace Platforms in the Counties. The commemorations were held in at the Kipchoge Stadium Kapsabet, Nandi County on 4th December 2012 and on 5th December at the Nandi Gardens in Eldoret Town.

The District Officer, Kilibwony Division in Nandi flags off the procession on behalf of the Nandi Central District Commissioner. The Procession was led by the Salvation Army band and moved through Kapsabet Town attracting onlookers but spreading the message.

Our work in RWPL is to defend the human rights of women and children. We don’t advocate for women to be superior to men or even compete men, but we sensitize men to recognize women and to understand their rights. We are here in Nandi to raise a voice against GBV because Nandi is said to be leading in GBV cases~

                                                                  – Irene Magut, RWPL Board

World AIDS Day Marked with Pomp and Colour

The World AIDS Day was celebrated globally on 1st December 2012. The Rural Women Peace Link joined other actors and organizations in commemorating this day. Two teams from the organization attended occasions parallel occasions that were marked at two different venues: Eldoret ASK Show Ground in Uasin Gishu County and Kamogich Centre in Nandi County. Despite so much awareness, stigma against people infected and or affected by HIV/AIDS remains high in the North Rift region. Negative cultural practices like FGM, early and forced marriages have greatly contributed to gender-based violence (GBV) and highly linked to the spread of new HIV/AIDS infections. The events were made possible through Hivos funding.

Participants in the Nandi World AIDS Day event above and in Uasin Gishu below

RWPL Joins the Global GBV Prevention Network

The Rural Women Peace Link is now officially a member of the GBV Prevention Network that has a current database of over 400 organizations. The GBV Prevention Network works through Thematic Working Groups (TWG), one of which is led by IRC for members training on GBV emergency response. RWPL was represented at the latest GBV/PN forum by the Programme Coordinator, Lilliane Bwire. The 5 day event was held at the Casa Multu Hotel, Kampala, Uganda from 22nd to 25th October, 2012 and was held in collaboration with Raising Voices, who host the GBV Prevention Network. The training was high level, facilitated by New York based experts. 25 participants drawn from various countries attended (2 Ethiopia; 1 Burundi; 9 Kenya; 4 Uganda; 1 Somalia; 1 South Sudan; 2 Zimbabwe; 2 Zambia and 1 Namibia). Through the training, RWPL has gained insight in skills for improving the organizations preparedness for an emergency. This will be shared with programme staff and partners.