Women, Religion, and Peace-Building: Gusii and Maasai Women of Faith in Kenya

This book explores the peacebuilding ideas and experiences of Maasai and Gusii women of faith in Kenya, highlighting their critical contributions to peacebuilding despite underrepresentation and violence. It provides a gender-responsive peacebuilding framework that leverages the intersectionality of womens diverse identities and roles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 111 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the profound insights and remarkable experiences of Maasai and Gusii women of faith in Kenya, shedding light on their invaluable contributions to peacebuilding. Women of faith from across the globe have consistently demonstrated their remarkable leadership in fostering peace, despite facing significant obstacles such as underrepresentation in formal peacebuilding systems and the often overlooked recognition of their critical roles. Despite the ongoing threat of violence and insecurity against their very bodies, these women have tirelessly worked to promote social cohesion, cultivate human relations, and foster psychological, social, political, and spiritual encounters. Their unwavering efforts include daily practices of resource sharing, building strong networks, and advocating for harmony.

In this groundbreaking book, the authors offer a gender-responsive peacebuilding framework that harnesses the intersectionality of women's diverse identities and roles as they navigate both secular and religious spaces for peace. By recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities that women face in the pursuit of peace, this framework provides a valuable tool for researchers, teachers, practitioners, and activists alike.

The book is organized into three compelling chapters, each exploring different aspects of women's peacebuilding efforts. In the first chapter, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the historical and cultural contexts that shape women's roles in peacebuilding in Kenya. They highlight the historical marginalization and oppression of women, as well as the ongoing challenges they face in accessing resources, participating in decision-making processes, and protecting their rights.

Chapter two delves into the practical strategies that women of faith employ to promote peace. The authors showcase the importance of building social cohesion, fostering human relations, and promoting psychological well-being. They discuss the role of women as peacebuilders in conflict resolution, reconciliation, and post-conflict reconstruction, highlighting their unique contributions to these processes.

Chapter three explores the intersectionality of women's identities and roles in peacebuilding. The authors argue that women's experiences are shaped by their gender, ethnicity, religion, social status, and other factors, and that a gender-responsive approach is essential to effective peacebuilding. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from the intersectionality of women's identities, and provide examples of how women are leveraging their diverse perspectives to promote peace.

Throughout the book, the authors draw on a wealth of empirical evidence and case studies to support their arguments. They interview a diverse range of women of faith, including community leaders, religious scholars, activists, and ordinary women who have played significant roles in peacebuilding. These interviews provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the women's experiences, perspectives, and strategies for peacebuilding.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of peacebuilding. It offers a gender-responsive peacebuilding framework that leverages the intersectionality of women's diverse identities and roles as they navigate both secular and religious spaces for peace. By recognizing the critical contributions of women of faith in promoting peace, this book provides a valuable resource for researchers, teachers, practitioners, and activists alike. It serves as a call to action to promote greater gender equality and inclusivity in peacebuilding efforts and to recognize the unique contributions that women can make to the pursuit of a more peaceful and just world.

Weight: 183g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030897291
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022