Garissa launches action plan with calls for women inclusion

There is need to ensure that women voices and leadership are at the center of peacebuilding efforts be it at household, community, county, national or global level.

This was the message on Thursday during the launch of the Garissa County Action Plan (GCAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the Gender Responsive Dadaab Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.

The launch was a culmination of a 18-month programme that was implemented by WomanKind Kenya and supported by UN Women and Japan Embassy in Kenya.

It was attended by security actors, administrators, representatives from the Department of Refugee Services, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and women peace advocates and leaders.

The project targeted mainly women and youth in Dadaab Refugee Camp and the host communities, Garissa county government, national government security agencies (the Kenya Police and Administration Police) and CSO women networks in Dadaab subcounty.

Head of Prevention, National Counter Terrorism Center Njenga Miiri said although there has been increased attention on the role of women in matters security and countering violent extremism, they need to be involved much more.

Most of the preventing and countering violent extremism (CVE) programmes have not deeply considered gender-conscious interventions that focus on addressing different dynamics and roles women play in violent extremism.

Speaking at a Garissa hotel, Miiri said the incidences of terrorism in the county and country at large can only be broken down with the involvement of all, adding that matters security are complex.

The threat of militia violence is highest along the Kenya-Somalia border in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties.

The militia group typically targets citizens, security personnel and transport vehicles.

The common tactics employed by al Shabaab militants include suicide operations, armed assaults, bomb or grenade attacks and kidnappings.

The county has largely been edged into the larger cycle of radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism.

"Inclusivity in the journey of peace building and resilience is not a destination. It is a continuous process to come to reality on how the county is going to achieve the mainstream issues of peace," Miiri said.

On her part, Lynne Ngeno who represented Ann Mutavati, the Country Representative of UN Women in Kenya, said in the current peace and security context, characterised by new and emerging threats such as climate change and prolonged drought which are also drivers of conflict and insecurity, the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda is more critical than ever.

"Despite the footprint of this agenda growing in Kenya, and noting the commendable progress made around policy and the political will, we must keep in mind that social barriers and cultural practices that tolerate violence against women and hinder the participation of women in traditionally masculine spaces continue to exist," she said.

"The unfortunate reality is that women, including those at young age, remain excluded from governance and peace and security efforts. Often, peace and security initiatives targeting youth tend to favour young men, while young women remain largely seen as passive victims and are left out," Ngeno said.

Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane on his part said the county administration will continue to initiate development programmes that will give hope and opportunities to the youth, noting that they are the most vulnerable to be lured into bad groupings.

"We call upon all stakeholders to support the implementation of this action plan and work together to ensure that our efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the context of peace and security in Garissa County are successful," he said.

WomanKind Kenya executive director Abdullahi Mohamed while appreciating all individuals and organizations who provided support and guidance throughout the development of the GCAP, remained confident that its implementation will contribute to a lasting solution.

"We are confident that the implementation of the GCAP will contribute to lasting peace and security in Garissa county and to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that it is implemented effectively and that its objectives are achieved," he said.

"I therefore urge, all stakeholders in Garissa to play your role in overseeing the implementation of CVE Action Plan and focus on translating the plans into actions that will benefit the security and safety in Garissa county," Mohamed said.

He further called on the stakeholders to work towards increasing the number of women in the peace committee and other peace and security platforms and empowering them with skills to confidently participate in governance structures.