Women are always left out of many peace building initiatives mostly in the Horn of Africa. Coalition for Peace in Africa is currently training women to ensure they have the capacity to promote peace in the region. 

The training brings together twenty five women from Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. The women are taken through training sessions to empower them in peace leadership so that their voices can be heard and their roles in peace building recognized by their communities. 

"Women are strong enough to seriously take their role in the society head on." says Phoebe Omondi, the training's facilitator. 

The scale of discrimination and vulnerability of women in society remains the central obstacle to expanding the good work done by women peace builders. This is most common in the marginalized communities where cultural practices take centre stage. 

 

 

"Initially, I had no idea how to negotiate for peace in conflict groups, but now, I have learnt ways and strategies to work through achieving peace in my community." said Yewubnesh Dando, an Ethiopian national.  

These women's daily struggle for survival greatly limits the numbers who become peace activists but their potential is huge. One thing that is certain is that they will use their diverse cultural background to enhance peace in the region. 

"Though the situation is from ideal, articulate organised women's peace movements can be able to overcome barriers and enhance peace in their communities." says Martha Ndogoto, the Programme Manager for Coalition For Peace in Africa (Kenya). 

With careful consultation, commitment to learn and strong budgetary mechanisms, women can be peacemakers in the region and the world as they and children are more vulnerable during conflict.