NO REGRET INVESTMENT Peace Initiative Kenya project
Kuza African Sanaa perform a dance at the launch of PIK project. The dramatized dance not only entertained those who attended the launch but also served an educative role depicting the plight of women in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
A synopsis of Peace Initiative Kenya project The official launch of Peace Initiative Kenya Project (PIK) on November 26th 2012 was designed to coincide with the onset of the 16 Days of activism against gender based violence. The launch evoked font memories in hearts of women rights activists about the journey Kenyan women have walked over the years in defending their rights. Speaker after speaker applauded the project designed to create a safe environment for women before, during and after March 4th polls in Kenya. In the six months of its existence, Peace Initiative Kenya Project (PIK) has been able to: Train 302 trainers who have so far reached 16, 300 people with peace messaging and awareness-raising on gender based violence. Disseminate media messages through radio drama that have reached over 1.5 million people. Train on emergency preparedness for gender based violence reaching 166 trainers. Raise awareness in four regions on 16 days of activism on violence against women where PIK conducted processions legal aid, psychosocial counselling, Train facilitators using SASA model (on empowerment of men and women for social change). So far 102 facilitators trained who have reached 2,800 members of the community using the empowerment model. Implement a Rapid response emergency preparedness plan for 2013 elections in all four regions. 43 IRC staff members were located in 5 hospitals in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret with PEP Kits and dignity kits ready to serve Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases. Supported launch of SGBV hotline 1195 and monitoring of the hotline 24 hours per Day, 7 days per week.
Unveiling of Peace Initiative Kenya Project- November 26th 2013
Atsango Chesoni, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Executive Director gives her keynote address at the launch of PIK.
Chief Guest at the Launch of Peace Initiative Kenya project Atsango Chesoni (KHRC) unveils a map of Kenya showing the 18 counties where PIK is being implemented. Looking on is IRC-Kenya Country Director, Jerotich Seii Houlding, USAID-Kenya Deputy Director for Democracy and Governance Monica Azimi (behind) and PIK Chief of Party Jebiwot Sumbeiywo
Monica Azimi; Deputy Director Democracy and Governance office for USAID Kenya gives her speech at the launch of PIK on November 26th 2012 Jebiwot Sumbeiywo, Chief of Party (PIK-IRC) makes a presentation on PIK at the start of a media training on Peace and GBV in Mombasa. The training was held on December 5th, 2012
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Jerotich Seii Houlding; International Rescue Committee (IRC)- Kenya Country Director giving her speech at the launch of PIK
Marking 16 Days of Activism on Violence against women in 2012
Ms. Mwanaali raises an issue on GBV at Legal Aid Clinic in Kwale. The forum was organized by PIK Partners, Sauti ya Wanawake Pwani and FIDA Kenya the two PIK partners in Coast region. Such forums were replicated in all the 6 counties of Coast during the 16 days
SGBV counselor (left) listens to SGBV survivor in Tononoka, Mombasa. Many incidents of rape and child defilement were reported in the meeting held during the 16 days of activism. FIDA Kenya conducted free legal Aid to and offered psychosocial support to women who dared speak out on their plight. Some of the cases were picked up by FIDA for follow up including the case of the survivor above.
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Kwale drama group stages a play on child abuse and violence against women. The play demonstrated the plight of a blind girl who was sexually abused by her own biological father. The crowd was greatly moved by compassion for the girl and many debates followed the end of the play on the role of men in protecting women and girls. Other than the play, the 16 Days were marked with creative songs, poems and dances all with the theme of ending violence against women.
Nuradin Adhiambo who represented the people living with disabilities at the 16 days function at the Tononoka grounds in Mombasa.
PIK Training on Peace, GBV and Media
Above Peace and GBV trainees in Nakuru County during the County level training. Main focus was on prevention of violence against women before during and after the elections
Ms Judith Kerua facilitates a community training on Peace and GBV in Uasin Gishu County
Mwanaalima Mwangare facilitates community level training in Msambweni, Kwale County. Coastal women turned up in large numbers to learn about Peace and GBV
Journalists take part in an energizer during a grassroots media training in Eldoret organized by AWC, a PIK media partner. AWC conducted 12 media forums in the 4 main regions where PIK is being implemented. These areas include; Coast, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Nairobi
Journalists take part in a media and women encounter forum in Kisumu. The meeting brought together journalists and grassroots women to deliberate on Peace and GBV issues not just during the elections but how to resolve incidents of GBV in Nyanza region. Main issues discussed Wife inheritance, wife bartering, stigmatization of people living with HIV/ Aids and disparities in political representation were among key topics discussed. The media highlighted some of these issues after the encounter
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PIK Peace and GBV Trainings Peace Initiative Kenya project developed a training manual on peace and GBV. Through its Partner: PeaceNet, FIDA, Sauti and Rural Women Peace Link, the project has conducted over 500 trainings since inception. These trainings were at the national level and cascaded to the county and grassroots level through the trainees. COVAW on the other hand have carried out over hundred trainings using the SASA Model which address the power balance between men and women in the society. Below: Quinta Ogacho a participant at the Kisumu County peace training held in February makes a group presentation at the meeting held in February 2013
Stephen Kadenyo, Programs Manager at PeaceNet Kenya facilitates Peace and GBV training held on in January 2013 at Nakuru. These was the first County level cascade trainings that rolled out in 18 counties where PIK is under implementation.
Mr. Paul Omolle makes a group presentation at the Migori County peace and GBV training.
Mr. James Okoth facilitates a discussion at Migori county level peace platform meeting.
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Participants at the Kisumu country level 3 daytraining held in December 2012. Over 108 Trainer of Trainees (TOT’s) had been trained across the country by close of 2012
PIK in Peace and GBV Campaigns and Advocacy Top centre Kwale Youth Group perform a skit on gender based violence during 16 Days of activism campaign held at Kwale ground in Kwale town on December 4th 2012. PIK through Sauti and FIDA partnered with Aphia Plus to mark 16 days at the Coast
COVAW a PIK partner however has recruited, trained and worked with men to defend women. Middle row Right At a function to honor the Peace and GBV Champions on December 17th 2012, men raise up their hands to affirm their support for campaign against gender based violence.
Middle row left Women take part in “My vote, My Choice for Peace campaign procession in Kajiado in December 2012 Promote Peace! Stop Violence Against Women
Persons living with disabilities take lead in “My Vote My choice for Peace campaign” in Nakuru during the 16 Days of activism on violence against women. Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) Kenya was the focal link for PIK with the National Gender and Equality Commission which spearheaded the 16 Days celebration in Kenya
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Training on Emergency Response and Preparedness on Gender Based violence
IRC’s Kevin McNaulty and Leora Ward (centre) follow Emergency Response and Preparedness (ERP) trainees feedback of day two topics at Lukenya Getaway resort, Athi River Nairobi. The training focused on response to Gender based violence in times of emergency. Trainees were selected from staff of PIK partner organizations and network members
Participants of the ERP training at Lukenya engage in group discussion
ERP trainees give feedback during the training session held mid January 2013 at Lukenya, Athi River. Phoebe Omondi(left) signals to other trainees when they went out for a nature walk. The nature walk was designed as a team building exercise for the ERP trainees. 28 trainees from PIK partners across the country completed a 1 week Emergency Response and Prepared training on gender based violence
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PIK in Partnerships and Collaboration
Above: IRC Kenya Country Director Jerotich Seii Houlding (l) Emergency response consultant Abdishakur and Linda Bayer (UNICEF) at a meeting in Mombasa’s Provincial Director for Medical services . IRC had a team of 11 on standby ready to respond in case of an emergency. Left: Lorna Odero, Kisumu County Commissioner gives an address at the Kisumu Peace Summit held in February 2013. Three more regional summits Peace and Gender Based Violence were held in Mombasa, Nairoi and Eldoret
Above: Milly Lwanga, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Deputy Commissioner and Jebiwot Sumbeiywo, PIK Chief of Party take questions from journalists at Nairobi Peace Summit held on February 26th 2013. Left: Portrait of a banner used in all the PIK activities. The banner has logos for all the 7 partners under the project (Below). USAID is the funding agency and IRC is the grant manager.
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IRC Kenya helps Launch GBV Hotline 1195
Joyce Muchena; National Coordinator from PIK gives her speech at the launch of 1195. Looking on is Ms. Beatrice Nduta, Director for Gender; Kenya Police Service Left: Procession from Uhuru Park to KICC where the launch of SGBV Helpline 1195 on February 21st 2013. Heath Care Assistant Kenya, the Ministry of Gender, mobile companies and international organizations were instrumental in setting up the helpline CENTRE: Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development officers present the helpline number to the PS for unveiling LEFT: The helpline number unveiled.
Prof Jackline Oduol, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development Permanent Secretary gives a keynote address at the launch of 11 95
Left: Helpline number is fully displayed . Above: The PS signs on a banner as a commitment to ending violence against women during and after the elections. Over 500 guests at the launch appended their signatures on the same
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IRC’s Kenya Emergency Response Team (KERT) in Mombasa
Jerotich Seii Houlding, IRC Kenya County Director helps sort out medical supplies including dignity kits distributed to various health facilities at the Coast during the emergency response alert before and after the March 4th elections. Left: Coast Provincial Reproductive Health focal point Dr. Josephine Othigo at Portrice Hospital. Dr. Othigo accompanied the IRC team in delivering dignity kits to 6 heath facilities within Mombasa County. Below left : IRC’s Dr Milhia Kader; team leader at Mombasa is appreciated by BOMU Hospital Medic on delivering dignity kits KERT had 1 surgeon, 1 doctor, 2 nurses, 1 Gender Specialist 5 volunteers and 6 IRC staff who were on standby for close to 10 days.
IRC’s Dr. Beldina Gikundi talks to Likoni District Hospital staff when she and other colleagues visited the facility. Inset is a photo showing the GBV room at the health facility
IRC Kenya Country Director hands over dignity kits to Kilifi District Hospital Administrator. Looking on are Hospital staff and IRC KERT in Mombasa. IRC’s KERT at Mombasa had 1 surgeon, 2 doctor, 1 clinical officer, 2 nurses, 1 psychosocial counselor, 5 volunteers and 6 IRC staff who were on standby for close to 10 days. The team worked alongside Kenya Red Cross at the Coast.
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IRC’s Kenya Emergency Response Team (KERT) Eldoret
Top Left: IRC’ Kenya Emergency Response team, volunteers and Staff when they met Dr. Simiyu for a briefing at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The team was comprised of 1 Psychosocial counselor, 9 community volunteers and 6 International Rescue committee staff members. Top Right: IRC team in Eldoret delivers dignity kits to Burnt Forest Sub District Hospital at Tarakwa.. There kits were meant for use by GBV survivors Middle Left: IRC, Joyce Muchena and Community Volunteer Mustafa Ali meet Mr. Simon Orenge, the Kapset Constituency Children Protection Officer at Eldoret Sub-district Hospital, Langas Below Right. IRC tent pitched at Burnt Forest at Neighbors in Action Compound and inside are the IRC team and volunteers who were deployed to respond to any electoral violence issues
Below Left: . Langas village elders at an early warning meeting convened by the IRC’s KERT in Eldoret. The meeting served as a platform to check potential for violence during the elections and put in place strategies to deal with any emergencies
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IRC’s Kenya Emergency Response Team (KERT) in Kisumu IRC staff led by Dr. Yusuf Mohamed (l) examine medical supplies at the Kisumu East District Hospital. 9 IRC Kenya Emergency response team were in Kisumu County ready to respond to any incident of electoral violence leading to mass causalities and critical injuries. 4 Gender Based Violence cases were managed by the IRC team during the electoral period. Others were medical cases and IRC staff worked alongside the New Nyanza General Hospital and Kisumu East District Hospital staff for a total of 11 days. The team had 1 surgeon, 1 doctor, 2 nurses, 1 Gender Specialist 5 volunteers and 6 IRC staff who were on standby for close to 10 days. Below and inset: A patient Mr. Onyango is being examined by Wycliffe Lihanda a Clinical Officer with IRC
Middle Left: One of the patients who was s by Dr. Julius Gesare (in IRC tshirt) is helped out by a relative after treatment. Down left: IRC nurses Naomi (right) and Edna (left) attend patients at Kisumu East District Hospital out patient department Below: IRC team delivers dignity kits to Women Concern a community based health facility in Kisumu
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IRC’s Kenya Emergency Response Team (KERT) in Nairobi A Nurse at the Kenyatta National Hospital acknowledges receipt of the Dignity kits . The kits are designed to help gender based violence survivors regain their dignity The team had 1 surgeon, 1 doctor, 3 nurses, 2 psychosocial counselors and 2 volunteers and 10 IRC staff who were on standby for close to 10 days.
IRC’s Dr. James Ndirangu at the Mbagathi District Hospital that served as the hub for Nairobi Kenya Emergency Response team. IRC’s KERT also worked closely with Mama Lucy Kibaki and Kenyatta National Hospital
A team of IRC staff assembling a tent at Mbagathi District Hospital
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Peace Initiative Kenya snapshots and summary Peace Initiative Kenya is a consortium of 8 national and regional peace and Gender Based Violence (GBV) actors led by International Rescue Committee (IRC). The project is designed to address violence against women in the context of elections. In 2007/8 post election violence, women and young girls were targeted especially because of their vulnerability. PIK seeks to create a peaceful and secure environment in Kenya during and after march 4th polls Top Left Peace Imitative Kenya project staff pose for a group photo at their offices in Hurlingham Nairobi after peaceful 2013 polls Middle left: IRC Kenya emergency response team at Kisumu Middle Right IRC Kenya emergency response team at Mombasa Down Right IRC Kenya emergency response team at Eldoret
Acknowledgments PIK Peace and Media office is greatly indebted to all the partners for a good work well done in the last 6 months. The March 4th 2013 polls were calm and peaceful. We need to work more to ensure peaceful environment for women and girls beyond the electoral period. Special thanks go to all our colleagues on the project for their support in developing the pictorial and the following individuals who helped capture the best photos from the field. 1. Sophia Jones Mwangi (IRC regional office, Nairobi) 2. Joyce Muchena (PIK National Coordinator) 3. Simon Panyako (PIK M&E manager) 4. Daniel Were (Program officer at RWPL) 5. Silvano Ateka (Program Officer at PeaceNet Kenya) 6. Robert Onyango (PIK) among others The pictorial was compiled by: 1. Valine Moraa (PIK’s Peace and Media Assistant) 2. John Ndeta (PIK’s Peace and Media Coordinator)
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