Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, has called for a renewed commitment to ensuring women’s full participation in peace and security processes.
Speaking at the 25th Anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) and the launch of the Third Kenya National Action Plan (KNAP III) in Nairobi, CS Cheptumo stated that Kenya has made significant strides in mainstreaming the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. However, she stressed that more work is needed to protect women’s rights and enhance their involvement in decision-making.
Over the past two decades, she said Kenya has implemented two National Action Plans that embed gender perspectives into peacebuilding, security, and governance frameworks.
Additionally, she confirmed that 19 counties have developed County Action Plans, ensuring that grassroots women are actively engaged in peace and development initiatives.
“We have seen women play key roles in mediation, conflict resolution, and community reconciliation, proving that their leadership transforms not only outcomes but also the sustainability of peace,” she stated.
The CS cited the 2022 General Elections, noting that women’s peace networks were instrumental in mediating local disputes and preventing violence in hotspots across the country.
She also highlighted concrete measures taken to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly in conflict-prone areas.
“Initiatives such as the establishment of safe shelters for survivors, the rollout of toll-free hotlines, and the provision of dignity kits to vulnerable women and girls during emergencies are practical steps that have transformed lives,” Cheptumo remarked.
She further underscored Kenya’s leadership in advocating for the WPS agenda on both global and regional platforms, confirming that the country has been promoting inclusive peace processes and the roles of women in addressing emerging security threats.
At the regional level, she stated that Kenya continues to collaborate with the African Union, IGAD, and ICGLR to support women’s participation in conflict resolution efforts across the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region.
However, CS Cheptumo warned that significant challenges remain, particularly concerning safety and representation.
“Women are still underrepresented in formal peace and security decision-making structures, with their participation often confined to informal community-level spaces,” she said, adding that “Gender-based violence, including sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings, remains a significant concern, as witnessed in some areas during electoral-related unrest.”
According to Cheptumo, emerging threats such as climate change, violent extremism, and cross-border conflicts have exacerbated vulnerabilities, placing additional pressure on already fragile communities and disproportionately affecting women and girls.
“As we launch KNAP III, we reaffirm that women and girls must not only be protected; they must be recognized as central actors in shaping Kenya’s peace and security landscape,” she stated. “Let us build a Kenya where peace, security, and gender equality are not mere aspirations but lived realities for every woman, every girl, and every community.”
The CS expressed gratitude for the partnerships with UN Women, the Government of Finland, civil society organizations, grassroots women’s networks, and community leaders, whose support continues to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
