IWPG expands Kenya peace drive as women take centre stage in community cohesion

Left to Right: Ms. Bahati Nzilani from the Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (YEEP), Mr. Timothy Ekesa from the Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR), Ms. Alice Maranga from the Center for Citizen Empowerment Programme (CCEPM), and Ms Betty Hamud from the Kangemi–Westlands Uhaki Paralegal Network (KWUPANET)./HANDOUT

MOU Signing Ceremony between the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Kenya. /HANDOUT

Women have been challenged to take a leading role in promoting peace and social cohesion at the grassroots as the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) intensified its peacebuilding initiatives in Kenya through a series of forums and new partnerships.

The organisation brought together government officials, civil society leaders, education experts, youth representatives and community stakeholders in Nairobi to champion women-led peacebuilding, culminating in the signing of partnership agreements with four Kenyan organisations and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

Dr. Bishop Kepha N. Omae and IWPG G12 Branch Director Baek Soonsun exchanging the signed MOU documents. /HANDOUT

Speaking during the Kenya Women's Peace Conference held under the theme "Women Leading Peace: Women's Solidarity for Sustainable Peace in Kenya," IWPG Chairwoman Nayoung Jeon said the organisation aims to build a strong network of women peace leaders capable of driving lasting change in communities.

"The goal of this conference is to connect women peace leaders into a strong and unified network, and to establish a structured foundation for sustained, practical peace activities," Jeon said.

She added that IWPG plans to roll out peace education programmes targeting women and all generations in Kenya, implement grassroots peace projects and promote initiatives such as the International Love Peace Art Competition.

Kenya Women's Peace Conference./HANDOUT

The conference brought together representatives from Parliament, the NCIC, civil society organisations, peace practitioners and education experts, who agreed that sustainable peace cannot rely on government interventions alone but also requires active participation by communities.

Participants noted that women should be recognised not only as beneficiaries of peace but also as educators, mediators, community leaders and drivers of social transformation.

A major outcome of the conference was the signing of partnership agreements between IWPG and four Kenyan organisations—the Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR), the Kangemi-Westlands Uhaki Paralegal Network (KWUPANET), the Center for Citizen Empowerment Programme (CCEP) and the Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (YEEP)—to strengthen collaboration in peacebuilding, child and youth protection, civic empowerment and community development.

Timothy Ekesa, Chairperson of KAACR and a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, welcomed the collaboration, saying it complements global efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.

He also commended the Government of Kenya, particularly the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services and the NCIC, for embracing partnerships with civil society organisations to advance peace initiatives.

The conference followed a community peace programme held in Nairobi on June 28 that attracted about 200 women, who shared experiences on promoting peace within families, schools and local communities.

The participants discussed challenges including community conflicts, economic hardship and the welfare of women and children, with many agreeing that peace is built through dialogue, mutual respect and shared responsibility rather than the mere absence of conflict.

On July 2, IWPG further strengthened its engagement in Kenya by signing an MoU with the NCIC to enhance cooperation in peacebuilding, social cohesion and civic education.

The agreement seeks to deepen collaboration between the commission and the international organisation through dialogue, peace education and community engagement initiatives.

IWPG, an international non-governmental organisation operating in 122 countries, said the Kenya engagements form part of its broader global campaign to strengthen women's leadership in peacebuilding and expand partnerships with governments and civil society organisations.

An IWPG representative said lasting peace begins with everyday actions at the community level.

"Peace is not created through grand declarations, but through small, consistent actions in everyday life. When women educate families, connect communities, and guide the next generation, peace becomes not just an ideal, but a lived culture."