Kenya at A Junction: Women, Violence and Peace

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of women and violence and peace in community in the context of the terror attack in Westgate shopping mall and peace efforts in Kenya. For over forty years, Kenya knew peace but suddenly Kenya is at a junction, at an intersection of global transnational conflict. The role of women both as perpetrators of violence and as harbingers of development and peace is examined. Cases shall be highlighted and possibilities analysed where women in ways that are unique from or similar to males, strive towards embracing peace and deliberately working towards environments where women and men and children feel safe and where children can grow and develop free from terror, rape, violence and loss of life.

Keywords: Women, Gender, Violence, Terror, Peace, Community Development