AFRICA CSID Unveils Pioneering Report on Women’s Role in Climate-Related Peacebuilding
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The Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (AFRICA CSID) today launched a pivotal report spotlighting the role of women in promoting peace amid climate-related conflicts. The report, titled “Women’s Agency in Peace Building Amid Climate-Induced Conflict: Insights from the Endorois and Ilchamus Communities in Baringo County, Kenya,” was unveiled at a high-level event attended by policymakers, civil society leaders, and grassroots activists.
Among those present were representatives from the Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration, Senator Moses Kajwang — Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Action, AFRICA CSID Chairperson Peter Abande, and community leaders Salome Owuonda and Juliet Ogubi.
Bridging Gender and Peacebuilding in the Climate Crisis
Senator Kajwang hailed the report as a timely contribution to ongoing national conversations on climate and security. He emphasized that women have traditionally been excluded from peacebuilding efforts in pastoralist communities, despite bearing the greatest burden during times of conflict.
“Historically, men have led peace processes even though they are often the primary drivers of conflict. Meanwhile, women, who suffer disproportionately, are left out,” said Kajwang. “This report brings attention to the critical need to involve women—not just as victims, but as active agents in peace and mediation.”
He noted that women in the Endorois and Ilchamus communities have long been sidelined by patriarchal norms that treat them as dependents rather than equal participants in governance and conflict resolution.
Climate Change and Conflict: A Deepening Crisis
The report underscores the role of climate change as a driver of conflict in regions like Baringo, where prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and shrinking resources are increasing tensions over water and pasture.
Senator Kajwang pointed to cattle rustling as a form of violent crime that has often been mischaracterized as a cultural practice. He argued that such violence is deeply rooted in climate-induced resource scarcity and requires urgent structural interventions.
“When communities are unable to sustain livestock due to environmental degradation, some turn to forcefully taking from their neighbors,” he said. “To stop this, we must tackle the underlying issues—beginning with education, livelihoods, and inclusive policies.”
Education and Policy as Tools for Peace
The senator advocated for stronger investment in education and youth engagement in vulnerable communities. He emphasized that addressing insecurity should go hand-in-hand with restoring learning opportunities, especially in conflict-affected regions of Baringo where schools remain closed due to violence.
He echoed a recommendation from the report: disarmament must be paired with opportunity. “You take away the gun and give them a pen,” he said, calling for comprehensive peacebuilding initiatives that prioritize education, particularly for girls and young women.
Unlocking Climate Financing for Indigenous Communities
Senator Kajwang also called on the government to ensure that indigenous groups such as the Endorois and Ilchamus are included in national and international climate finance mechanisms. He suggested that carbon credit schemes could be tailored to reward these communities for their efforts in conserving forests, water bodies, and biodiversity.
“These communities have been stewards of nature for generations,” he noted. “It’s only fair they benefit from carbon markets and genetic resource revenues, such as those generated from digital sequencing technologies.”
Community Voices and Next Steps
Salome Owuonda, a prominent community leader and contributor to the report, also shared reflections on the lived experiences of women in conflict zones and the importance of local inclusion in policymaking. [Her full remarks are pending.]
AFRICA CSID Chairperson Peter Abande reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to inclusive development and praised the report as a foundation for actionable change.
“This research provides not only analysis but a clear path forward,” said Abande. “It reminds us that true peace and sustainability cannot be achieved without women at the forefront.”
Looking Ahead
The report is expected to inform government strategies and shape future interventions in climate-vulnerable areas. AFRICA CSID plans to conduct a series of stakeholder engagements to translate the report’s recommendations into on-the-ground impact.
As Kenya continues to grapple with the intertwined challenges of climate change, insecurity, and gender inequality, the report marks a crucial step toward inclusive, community-led solutions.
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