Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and humanitarian action

Kenya has experienced a substantial shift in its security landscape, which is profoundly complex, ranging from intercommunal and pastoral violence to political competition and a rise in violent extremism. Experienced against a backdrop of wider social marginalization, poverty, social inequality, high youth unemployment and resource-based tensions.

These phenomena have a unique and disproportion­ate impact on women and girls. They are more likely to be victims of sexual and gender-based crimes and experience restrictions on education, limited livelihood choices, limited access to basic services, and exclusion from decisions on peacebuilding and disaster recovery processes and participation in public life. Insecurity and disasters in Kenya therefore require tailored responses to address the root causes of conflict and emergencies through a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.

The programme pri­oritizes the implementation of Kenya’s second National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, including relief and recovery. It seeks to promotes inclu­sivity, cohesiveness, localization and resilience.  The overarching objective is that women’s and girls’ participation in conflict prevention and peace and security processes is increased.