Women Voices Take Centre Stage in Efforts to Achieve Lasting Peace in Coast Region

By Caroline Katana

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

For years, women have borne the brunt of conflicts in communities yet remained largely absent from the tables where peace and security decisions are made.

A new initiative launched in Kwale County now seeks to change that by equipping women with the skills, confidence and platforms to lead in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

The Imarisha Project, a 28-month programme running from June 2026 to 2028 aims to strengthen women’s voices, and leadership in peace and security across three counties of Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa.

In Kwale, implementation will be at Matuga Subcounty.

The project comes at a time when Kenya is making gradual progress in advancing the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda.

According to statistics shared during the launch women’s representation in peace committees has risen from 14 per cent in 2013 to 34 per cent in 2023 signalling growing recognition of their role in building peaceful and resilient communities.

Speaking during the launch, Fauzia Kassim, project officer at the Kenya Community Support Centre (Kecosce), said the initiative sought to move women beyond participation and position them as leaders in preventing conflicts and influencing peace and security decisions at the grassroots.

“We want women to participate meaningfully, participate inclusively and lead in conflict prevention through early warning and early response mechanisms. We also want them to influence policies that affect peace and security in their communities,” she said.

The officer said the project was guided by three strategic pillars: strengthening women’s capacity to lead peace initiatives, creating safe civic spaces where women can freely engage in governance and peace processes, and publicly recognising women who champion peace within their communities.

She noted that while Kenya has made significant strides in implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on WPS, many women, particularly at the grassroots, remain excluded from critical decision-making spaces.

“The project is not just about women. It is about building peaceful and inclusive communities where women and men work together to prevent conflict and promote development,” she said.

According to her the programme will also strengthen county accountability in implementing commitments under the WPS agenda while empowering women to shape policies affecting their lives.

The program is supported by the Danish Embassy in Kenya through Act Change transform with KECOSCE to be implemented in the three counties.

Kwale County Peace and Security Committee chairperson Mwanakombo Jarumani said although policy frameworks supporting women’s participation exist, many women continue to face barriers, particularly political intimidation and online harassment.

“As we move closer to the election period, we are already seeing women leaders subjected to abuse on social media. That is why initiatives such as Imarisha are important because they help build confidence and strengthen women’s voices in leadership,” she said.

The chairperson challenged government institutions, civil society organisations, and community leaders to work together in taking awareness campaigns on peace and security laws to the grassroots noting that many women remain unaware of the protections and opportunities available to them.

She called on men to support women’s leadership saying inclusive peacebuilding can only succeed when communities embrace both women and men as equal partners.

Echoing the same sentiments, Ng’ombeni youth leader Hamisi Magisu said empowering women strengthens families and ultimately creates safer communities.

“When women are empowered, they are better placed to nurture responsible children and build strong families. Strong families become the foundation of peaceful societies,” he said.

With its focus on leadership, inclusion and community resilience, the Imarisha Project is expected to strengthen women’s participation in peace structures while ensuring their voices help shape decisions on security and development across the region.

The launch brought together county and national government representatives, women leaders ,youth among other valuable peace stakeholders.