Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

Addressing the women, Mrs. Sylvie Kinigi, former prime Minister of Burundi challenged Kenyan women to arise and to mount a sustained campaign to ensure that Kenya does not sink further into the abyss of self destruction.

Drawing from her personal and national experiences during her tenure as Prime Minister of Burundi at the tumultuous period of the Tutsi and Hutu conflict (1993-1994), Mrs. Kinigi asked Kenyan women to work together and consolidate their immense political and social capital to participate in finding sustainable solutions to the country.

The women leaders, among them Cabinet Minister Mrs. Shaaban, adopted a set of resolutions among them being the need for involving women in the ongoing dialogue to resolve the current national crisis.

The resolutions have since been forwarded to the various mediation teams and are expected to further inform actions by the women at all levels as they seek to play their rightful roles in stabilizing the country.

The workshop culminated in the launch of a ‘Green Ribbon’ peace campaign symbolized by the wearing of a green ribbon. All 300 plus women committed to transform themselves into ‘Vital Voices’ for peace and justice across the country.