The Role of Women in Peace Building in Conflicting Society: The Case of West Pokot County, Kenya, 2000-2018

Over the years, peace building has become a means of preventing continuing conflicts between warring factions. It is simply a shift from conflict to a peaceful future. It rests on the premise that provision of people’s needs eliminates unrest and lawlessness that arise due to conflict thus preventing a relapse of violence. In many societies, women have been left out, marginalized and discriminated against as a result of patriarchal society. Their roles in peace building are not considered important and they face many challenges in their efforts to rebuild their lives and families. Based on the above, the study focused on the role of women in peace building in West Pokot County, Kenya Between 2000-2018 This study sought to analyze the role of women in resolving cultural sources of violence in West Pokot County, analyze the role of Women in addressing structural sources of violence in West Pokot County and to identify effective mechanisms to better enhance the role of women in peace building in West Pokot County. This study is based on feminist political theory. The theory sees women as a disadvantaged class, unjustly dominated and exploited by men. According to the proponents of this theory, women worldwide are half the population and a third of the paid labor force, meaning they can equally do what men have done. The study used purposive sampling technique to select the study sample. It focused on the role women played in the County especially in the four sub-counties namely Kapenguria, Pokot North, Pokot South and Pokot Central. Through conducting face to face interviews, focused group discussions, and consulting documents available to the public, the researcher collected information about what women played as peace builders and advocates in the County. The study came up with the following recommendations; need to review land allocation policy, enhance peace education, funding and recognition of women, adoption of African indigenous methods of peace building and enhancing security in the affected areas.