GENDER DIMENSIONS IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT INFLUENCING PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE BETWEEN POKOMO AND ORMA COMMUNITIES IN TANA RIVER COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Increasing conflicts in many parts of the world are responsible for many losses of lives and destruction to property. In Tana River County of Kenya, conflicts have persistently occurred among the Pokomo and Orma communities with no durable solutions. Since men and women are affected by conflict diversely, a gendered approach to conflict management and peaceful coexistence is necessary. The overall objective of the study was to assess gender dimensions in conflict management and how they influence peaceful coexistence between Pokomo and Orma communities in Tana River County of Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: examine gender dimensions in conflict management; assess the strategies used by men and women to promote peaceful coexistence; and, evaluate perceptions of men and women in the approaches to peaceful coexistence. The study was anchored on two theories; social conflict theory and gender schema theory. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The sample size was 384 respondents comprising of 182 female and 202 male heads of households. The key informants sample consisted of 22 respondents randomly selected. They included: 5 NGO managers; 4 CBO mangers; and, 15 area administrative chiefs. There were 70 participants in 7 FGDs drawn from women, youth and village elders purposively selected for the study. The study collected primary data using questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions. Expert judgment was employed to determine content validity of data collection tools, and reliability was determined by test-retest method. Qualitative data was edited, coded and grouped into meaningful and relevant themes, categories and patterns. The study employed descriptive analysis for quantitative data, and presentation was done using frequencies, tables and charts. The study found out that: socially constructed ways of life negatively affected conflict management; strategies used by men and women to promote peaceful coexistence did not give women equal opportunities as the; and, a gendered approach to peace building was lacking in Tana River County in spite the five key areas that a gendered approach should embrace having been perceived to be gendered. The study concluded that the society’s perceptions of men and women influence peaceful coexistence between Pokomo and Orma communities in Tana River County. These social constructs legitimize male dominance and suppression of women in conflict management and efforts towards peaceful coexistence. The study recommends: riddance of patriarchy, involvement of both gender in peaceful coexistence undertakings and, embracing of a gendered approach to peaceful coexistence.