Mandera: Women drawn from Mandera County have come together in a unified initiative to champion peace and promote unity in a region that has experienced repeated security challenges.

According to Kenya News Agency, the peace initiative brings together women from various communities, civil society organizations, and local businesses, aiming to foster dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation among the county’s diverse populations. Led by renowned women leader Nassin Dakane, the group emphasized that peacebuilding could not be successful without the full inclusion and participation of women.

‘Peace cannot be built without the women of Mandera County,’ said Nassin Dakane. ‘We are the backbone of families and communities, and our voices must be at the center of every peace process.’

The women also launched an initiative to reach out to fellow women engaged in business across Mandera to encourage them to support and collaborate in the peace effort. ‘Peace is a shared responsibility. Every person in this county-man or woman-has a role to play in fostering and sustaining peace,’ Dakane added.

Asli Ismail, a peace champion in the region, called on community elders and traditional leaders to work hand-in-hand with women to ensure that peace is inclusive and long-lasting. ‘We urge our elders to listen to the voices of women. For peace to take root, it must be nurtured by everyone-including those who have long been sidelined in decision-making,’ Asli said.

Other women leaders across the county have also taken a front-line role in spreading messages of unity, conducting peace forums, and organizing community dialogues aimed at resolving grievances and promoting tolerance. The peace initiative will involve a series of forums, outreach programmes, and stakeholder engagements, focusing on preventing intercommunal tensions and promoting sustainable peace.

The women leaders appealed to local and national governments, religious scholars, and cultural institutions to support their cause and ensure Mandera becomes a model of peaceful coexistence. ‘We are not just asking for support; we are demanding inclusion in shaping the future of our county,’ said another participant.

This movement marks a significant shift toward community-led peacebuilding efforts in Mandera, with women at the forefront of lasting transformation.