Women have been urged to take an active role in advocating for peace and cohesion as Kenyans head towards the 2022 general election.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya national chairperson Fr Joseph Mutie said women are strong mediators and key in imparting values to young people.
Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of Mombasa Women of Faith Network, Mutie urged women to take a leading role in talking to young people, who are usually used to cause chaos during the electioneering period.
According to Mutie, the formation of the Mombasa Women of Faith Network, which brings together women from across all religions in the county, will help in ensuring peace.
“Seeing them together today and looking at the way they were dancing, you could not differentiate who is a Muslim, Christian or Hindu. This is a moment women can reflect together on what ails the community and chart a way forward,” Mutie said.
He said the launch of the new network will give Mombasa women an opportunity to grow together.
“I am looking at a scenario where the women of faith network in Mombasa will invite other women of faith networks from other parts of the country and sit together and negotiate and think through matters affecting women in the country,” he said.
He said IRCK is committed to walk with the women and help them tackle the challenges they face in their line of work.
The National Kenya Women of Faith Network was formed in 2008 immediately after the post-election violence that rocked the country leaving scores dead, others injured while thousands were rendered homeless.
Kenya Women of Faith Network national secretary Sabina Ng’ang’a said when they came together, they realised there were issues that affected them as women, regardless of their religious affiliations and where they came from.
She said they came together to address issues that are common and also dear to them, adding that as a women network under IRCK, they are covering four thematic areas; which include health, peace and governance, sexual gender-based violence and environment.
She added that they are advocating for leaders who preach peace and as mothers, they will not allow any politician to plant a seed of disharmony among the youth.
“Our motto as women of faith is ‘Wamama wa Imani tunataka amani’. We appeal especially during this electioneering period, that we do not want to see violence. We want peace,” she said.
"If we could have women of faith networks in all the 47 counties in the country, then this would change things and address matters affecting women under one umbrella. We want to promote religious tolerance because we are all made in the image of God.”
IRCK executive director Abdulrahman Ismail said the country is headed to a charged political contest where the stakes are high, and as such peace is of the essence especially with women at the forefront because they are the ones who are affected most.
“Women are an important and powerful instrument to counter a lot of societal problems, they can diligently handle conflicts whether religious, ethnic or political in nature,” he said.
Ismail said IRCK has one agenda which was to promote peaceful coexistence as intended by God, adding that as a council, they would like to see the political, social and economic empowerment of women taking centre stage.
-Edited by SKanyara