In collaboration with State Department for Gender (SDfG), Embassy of Finland Nairobi, and the County governments of Baringo Samburu and Mandera, Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) launched the County Action Plan (CAP) for localized Kenya National Action Plan II on Women, Peace and Security for the Advancement of the United Nations Security Council 1325 (UNSCR1325) in the three counties.
The UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security, which was adopted by the Security Council in 2000, presented a comprehensive political framework within which women’s protection and their role in peace processes can be addressed. UNSCR 1325 is central in supporting women engage in peace processes in meaningful ways.
The development of the Kenya National Action Plan (KNAP) I and II sought to operationalize the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 which is a key milestone that will contribute to the conflict, early warning and peace processes in Kenya. The KNAP calls for increased participation of women in peace processes and peace building.
The KNAP I (2016-2018) sought to contextualize the bases for socio-economic and political inequalities in peace and security issues. After the implementation KNAP I, there was a need for review thus resulting to KNAP II (2020-2024) which is a strategic plan to address the gaps and challenges as well as emphasize on the best shared practices on women, peace and security in Kenya.
While speaking during the launch of Baringo CAP, the Chief Administrative Secretary for Gender, Hon. Dr. Jebii Kilimo praised the commitment CCGD had put in place in localizing the KNAP II which seeks to increase women participation in peace processes.
“I am very pleased today, because I am living my dream of seeing women being included in the peace processes,” said Hon. Jebii.
She said the document would create a platform through which the community can shun the retrogressive cultures as well as the rapid conflict witnessed in Baringo County.
She noted that the document has clearly pointed out the role of women in peace building and conflict resolutions processes. Adding that the document will also be vital tool in the campaign against outlawed cultural practices such as FGM which has been labelled as the root cause to all retrogressive cultures in Baringo County and other counties where the vice is practiced.
She urged CCGD to extend the project to other warring counties as she pledged support for resource mobilization through SDfG.
In Samburu County the launch was presided over by Hon. Julius Leseeto, Deputy Governor Samburu County while in Mandera County in the presence of County Gender Sector Working Group (CGSWG) members, CSOs, Women Champions, Youth, Morans, PWDs and local community in the area.
The localized Samburu CAP will form part of policy on Samburu County accountability on the WPS agenda on matters women and girl’s meaningful participation and leadership in peace processes within the county. Additionally, it will promote women and girls’ rights while shunning violence meted against them, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and traditional practices that oppress them.
In Mandera County the launch was presided over by Issadin Adawa, the County Executive Committee Member Youth, Gender and Social Services.
