Electoral Security and Peace Building - A Dialogue with the Women's Situation Room | Gunda-Werner-Institut

Panel at the February Gender Forum

The February Gender Forum was held days to the General Election slated for 4th March 2013 -- the first under the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The political environment was vibrant with unanimous calls by voters, candidates, the State and the general public for security, peace and cohesion as the basis of a credible election. Efforts were made by the government, civil society and Kenyan citizens to put in place measures that would guarantee that the election was fair, free and democratic.

The Gender Forum hosted one such initiative dubbed "The Women's Situation Room", a peace building process that mobilizes women and youth in order to ensure their active participation in democratic electoral processes in accordance with UNSCRs 1325 and 1820.

The discussions focused on the origin of the Women's Situation Room; its structure and reach; benefits of the WSR process to voters, candidates and members of the public, and how the WSR process was linked or supported by the national security, peace and legal machinery. Also, the extent to which the national machinery had been sensitized about women's security and protection and access to justice for victims.

The discussion panel comprised of Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, Establishment Coordinator Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC); Deborah Okumu, Co-Convener, National Women's Steering Committee; Hellen Makone, Co-Convener, National Women's Steering Committee; and Cyprian Nyamwamu, CEO of the National Convention Executive. The discussion was moderated by Mr. James Nduko, a Consultant in Human Rights, Governance and Programme Development.

More about women's political participation in Kenya:

Women and Political Leadership: Numbers and Beyond

2013