In a couple of days I will be heading to Kenya to begin work with women exploring community healing, ritual and the role women play in the process. My hope is to undertake a project that is arts-based and will focus on the personal narratives of internally displaced women.
I'd like to explain a bit of my thinking . . . . Why Kenya? Why now?
Between 1963 and 2007, Kenyans suffered gross human rights violations. Whether victims or perpetrators, the majority of the population suffered. In 2008, the newly formed Kenyan government, passed the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Act to begin to investigate and address these violations with the objective of promoting peace, national unity, healing and reconciliation. One of the processes undertaken, was to travel throughout the country and hear from individuals to get an idea of what happened. What kinds of violations occurred and how were people impacted by the experience.
In Truth Commissions, it is important to ensure that both genders are included in a dialogue in order to gain a clear understanding of the root causes of violence and how it effected men and women. Women require special consideration as they see peace differently that men. Men view peace when the weapons and put down, and the violence stops. Women see peace when community life returns, schools re-open and people get back to work.
In 2010 a new constitution was introduced in Kenya with changes that aim to accommodate socio-economic diversity and ethnicity, and to promote gender equality, equity and democracy. Many women are unaware of the new rights that benefit them. In addition, the upcoming election in March has raised some concern over whether there will be a repeat of the post-election violence of 2007.
Perhaps this is a good time - a period between the past and the future - in which to engage in a process of re-imagining a desired future. As Jean Paul Lederach says - relationships are at the center of social change.
I will arrive in Nairobi on Friday and will take a few days to settle in. Stay tuned . . .
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