‘…initially, women did not attend peace meetings and the few who attended did not give their opinions. They were only involved in household chores. Peace issues were left to the husbands. As a result, women suffered because they did not have forums in which they could raise their issues. For example, they did not report suspects who either ended up being killed, or caused harm on others or even stole livestock from other communities. This are incidents that could have been prevented if women reported these cases in time. Women were not aware of insecurity issues and that is why they could always migrate to other areas because they were told to do so.
Nowadays, they are able to settle conflicts among themselves without involving the elders. They only involve the elders and I when they are defeated in resolving some conflicts. Sometimes, women organize peace meetings and educate themselves about peace. They even invite me sometimes in order to listen and give them insights. As mothers, women are closer to the morans than their fathers. The morans trust their mothers with information and secrets. Therefore, the women village elders give me a lot of information about planned livestock theft crimes and that is how I am able to avert most of the crimes.
Nowadays, women in Kipsing participate in peace meetings just like men do. Even if they are not fully confident in giving their opinions, they stand and talk. They address men in the meetings and men listen to them.
Women are more active in taking their children to school compared to their husbands. In fact, when the husbands deny their children an opportunity to go to school, the women report to my office and I intervene.
Cases on family conflicts have reduced. Domestic violence in form of wife battering has also reduced. I can now concentrate on other development matters.
When women attend the peace meetings, they get information from leaders on the organizations that are offering support. That is why most of them have joined saving groups which have also provided financial support for the women and their families.