The Participation of Women in Track One Peace Processes: A Case of Kenya’s 2008 Mediation

Abstract

The acknowledgement that women bear the harsh consequences of war informed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) on 30th October 2000. UNSCR 1325 called on member states of the United Nations (UN) to take measures to ensure full and effective participation of women in all levels of the peace process particularly decision-making with regards to peace. However, nearly twenty-five years after the passage of the resolution, women still comprise a small minority of participants at peace talks. This study sought to examine the participation of women in T1PPs using the KNDR as a case study. It achieved this by analyzing three objectives. The first objective examined the ways in which women participate in T1PPs; the second objective analyzed the challenges women face in participating in T1PPs and the third objective explored the strategies that women can use to mitigate the challenges they face in participating in T1PPs. This research was underpinned by the standpoint feminist theory (FST). The research study employed a Qualitative case study research design. This research was conducted in Nairobi and the relevant population consisted of all individuals working in the area of peace and conflict resolution, peace-building and those championing women’s rights and equality. The method of data collection comprised of face-face interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule to collect the data. The data collected was analyzed through thematic data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that though T1PPs are dominated by men due to their positions of power in leadership and governance, there has been a rise of women’s participation through various channels. Greater awareness and advocacy invoking the normative framework has increased women’s participation in T1PPs. The findings further reveal that women who participate formally or informally face challenges such as patriarchy, gender stereotypes, culture and traditional norms that either restrict or limit their participation. The research further identified strategies women can use to increase their participation by mitigating the challenges they face. These include building strong networks, implementing gender quotas, changing mindsets and increasing advocacy and education on the normative frameworks that exist to increase their participation. The findings are significant to women in government since it creates awareness on the resolution and the implementation of the NAPs. The findings are also of importance to the WPS agenda because as the findings reveal; implementing the agenda at the local level comes with its challenges. Therefore, understanding these challenges enables efficient context specific strategies be put in place that would increase women’s participation in T1PPs.