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Give people a voice as we seek
unity
Business Daily
Written by Unnikrishnan PV
February 26, 2008
Across Kenya, people are anxiously awaiting the outcome of
mediation talks being led by former UN secretary-general Kofi
Annan and renowned African campaigner for women’s and children’s
rights, Graca Machel. Post- election violence has so far claimed
over 1,000 lives and displaced at least 300,000.
The violence has polarised communities and shattered millions of
lives. Solidarity from peace-loving Kenyans, the support of the
international community and concessions from the main political
groups are therefore essential if mediation efforts are to succeed.
Since the peace talks began, there has been an uneasy calm in the
country, although amongst those who are living in deplorable
conditions in relief camps, there is still a palpable sense of
fear, anxiety and insecurity. Tellingly, the plight of the poorest
people is slipping down the agenda.
In the past couple of weeks, two stories have dominated the local
media: the political stalemate and interventions from foreign
diplomats.
These have pushed people’s stories to the back pages of the news,
if they are there at all. Dealing with the political impasse is
crucial, but poverty and injustice are key factors that have
fuelled the conflict.
It should not be forgotten that Kofi Annan has suggested a four
point agenda to fostering peace: stopping the violence, addressing
humanitarian needs, tackling the political stalemate and attending
to the historical issues of injustice. A peace deal may help to
halt the violence. But it is essential that the government ensures
social, economic and political fair dealing across Kenya.
The task of reuniting communities and instilling peace, trust and
confidence calls for a careful and sensitive approach from the
Government, civil society and the international community. It is
of course essential to provide food, water, shelter and
livelihoods, but rebuilding lives is not just about bricks and
mortar.
It is just as important to rebuild people’s emotional wellbeing.
That takes goodwill and flexibility, with all parties taking into
account the evolving situation.
Giving women and youth a leadership role in rebuilding efforts is
crucial to this effort. At the community level this means creating
women and youth committees to oversee recovery and reconciliation
work. Peace education is key.
Women and children have been the worst hit in this crisis.
A counsellor from the Gender Violence Recovery Centre at Nairobi
Women’s Hospital, where ActionAid is supporting a programme to
provide care and support for the victims of violence, told me how
sexual violence has traumatised many lives and minds and that
psychological wounds run deep.
The average age in Kenya is just 18. Media reports indicate that
young people have played a major role in inciting and taking part
in violence. Many are unemployed or underemployed. Their active
engagement is vital in the peace process. So is finding them jobs.
Sports and culture also have a fundamental role to play when
working with this age group. The power of football to unite people
should never be underestimated, especially in the African context.
On the economic and political front, all investments and
development funds must be treated as opportunities to rebuild
peace and to act as an insurance against any further conflict.
Most importantly they should not be used to amplify the violence.
Now is a timely opportunity to guide members of the Kenyan
parliament on making Constituency Development Funds conflict
sensitive. Constituency Development Funds are funds devolved to
the constituencies from the central government to address poverty
and inequalities.
If properly used, they could be a vital peace building tool.
Local media houses should also take on responsibility to spread
conciliation messages. Unfortunately the media has been blocked
from covering the mediation talks and the constructive role they
could play is being sidelined. This is an historic moment, and one
in which the media needs to go the extra mile.
It means not limiting their potential to the usual role of
reporting. Editors can and should show sensitivity to educate,
inform and empower their audiences.
Kenya must learn from history and from its neighbours. Learning
from reconciliation and peace building efforts from Rwanda,
Burundi and elsewhere could help, as would community-based
initiatives to engage people from all walks of life and different
ethnic groups. Lives lost must not be in vain. That is everyone’s
collective responsibility.
Dr Unnikrishnan PV is a medical doctor who works in
humanitarian situations. He is ActionAid’s Emergencies and Human
Security Advisor. He is currently in Kenya.
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