Women, Religion, and Peace-Building

“This book is direct and unapologetic in centering ‘multiple gendered identities’ for women in faith.” —Lisa Jackson, Head of Social Ventures at Tides, USA “The author describes a practical research experience that culminated in a transferable Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Conflict Analysis Tool.” —Donna Pankhurst, Professor Emerita, University of Bradford, UK “This study engages the presumption of gender equality as a struggle to make women equal to men, and suggests that we men begin to explore how we might become the equals of these women.” —Wade Channell, Senior Economic Growth Advisor for Gender(ret.), USAID, USA “This book tells the story of women’s agency in difficult socio-political and cultural settings.” —Elias Opongo, Senior lecturer, Hekima University College, Kenya This book explores the peacebuilding ideas and experiences of Maasai and Gusii women of faith in Kenya. Women of faith across the world have long demonstrated their leadership in peacebuilding. They have achieved this despite their underrepresentation in formal peacebuilding systems and the persistent lack of consideration for their critical contributions, and in the face of insecurity and violence against their very bodies. Their efforts include daily practices of sharing resources, building social cohesion, promoting human relations, and interlinking psychological, social, political, and spiritual encounters. This book provides 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. The book will appeal to researchers and teachers as well as practitioners and activists. Jaqueline Ogega (Ph.D., University of Bradford, UK) is a social scientist with extensive experience in international development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian relief programming and field research. She is the Senior Director of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at World Vision USA, and the Co-Founder and president of Mpanzi: Empowering Women and Girls. She is the author of Home Is Us, a story about hope and resilience.