The UNDP K and the Swedish Embassy in Kenya, through the Partnership for Peace and Security Kenya (PSK), are in the process of developing a Murang’a County Action Plan on Women’s Peace and Security (WPS).
The action plan cascading from the Kenya National Action Plan (KNAP I) is meant to support transcending foundations of peace and security for inclusive and sustainable development in Kenya for a secure, peaceful, inclusive, and cohesive society.
Addressing a stakeholder’s forum in a Murang’a hotel over the weekend, the Chief Executive Officer of Partnership for Peace and Security, Tony Ng’ang’a, noted that the localization of the action plan that was implemented around UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women’s peace and security will address and respond to the rising needs of women in peace and security in the county.
“The women’s peace and security agenda is a critical agenda the world over, and that is why the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 that recognizes that armed conflict impacts women differently from men was unanimously adopted by the Security Council in 2000,” he said.
“Therefore, he added, the localization of this action plan seeks to achieve and address women’s inclusion in matters of empowerment, increased participation in decision-making, and peace processes in Murang’a County.”
The action plan will provide a framework to amplify the voices of women at the grassroots, country, and national levels and align with the Leave no one behind principle by reaching the furthest first.
“Once the action plan is developed and endorsed at the county level, it will also seek to strengthen women-led organizations and the existing peace committee structures that will play a huge role in supporting the women’s peace and security processes within the county, “he noted.
Ng’ang’a observed that peace is paramount for any well-functioning society and starts with self, goes down to good relations with neighbors, and translates into a well-functioning government, equitable distribution of resources, free flow of information, high levels of human capital, acceptance of others’ rights, a sound business environment, and low levels of corruption.
“Women’s peace and security agenda is an important conversation as it will help achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals (SDG) adopted by world leaders in 2015 so as to achieve SDGs 5, 16, and 17 designed to end poverty, hunger, aids, discrimination against women and girls, and prioritize the progress of those who are furthest behind.”
Localization of the action plan on women’s peace and security will also enhance policies that will ensure improved prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence in the county that is currently struggling with teen pregnancies, abuse of life through drugs, and violence, amongst others.
Additionally, the action plan revolves around the four pillars of participation and promotion of women at all decision-making levels and institutions, prevention of conflict and all forms of violence, and more so sexual and gender-based violence against girls, women, and vulnerable groups.
Moreover, the protection of women and girls in situations of conflict, relief, and recovery by ensuring the inclusion and participation of women in humanitarian settings through a gender-responsive approach has been highlighted as the fourth pillar of the action plan.
The three-day forum had representation drawn from the national and county governments, the office of the county commissioner, the county assembly, civil society groups, faith-based organizations, women’s groups, and other state and non-state agencies.
By Florence Kinyua
