Video

Lullabies of peace: Women peacebuilders in the SEEK project

June 26, 2019

Women are taking a leading role in promoting cross-border peace and countering violent extremism in the cross-border areas of Kenya and Ethiopia where the SEEK project operates. They are at the forefront of coordinating and supporting initiatives that increase social capital and cohesion, strengthen peace structures, and influence other institutions, especially the private sector, to be conflict-sensitive.

With support from Pact's SEEK project, women are building their skills and confidence to speak out for their rights and actively take part in peacebuilding activities. As a result, strong women's groups are emerging and acting as community peace institutions and agents of change. These women now have the ability to work closely with the local government and other institutions to promote peace. They are influencing their sons and husbands to stop engaging in violence and are also influencing policy change at community, county and national government levels. Women are networking with their counterparts across borders to share early warning and early response information. Women's forum members are also leading initiatives to discourage negative cultural practices that promote conflict, such as war songs and praising of warriors.

This video tells the stories of women SEEK has been working with in both Kenya and Ethiopia.