Rural Women Peace Link (RWPL) is a legally-registered (Certificate Number - OP.218/051/11-032/6983), non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) operating in 7 counties in Kenya - Uasin Gishu, Nandi, West Pokot, Elgeiyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, Turkana, Vihiga and Bungoma. Our programs fall under 5 thematic pillars namely Peacebuilding and Conflict Mitigation, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Women’s Human Rights, Leadership and Governance, and Girl-Education Support and Mentorship. We envision a well-informed, gender sensitive society that values practices and promotes peaceful co-existence for the impactful contribution of women, youth and marginalized groups in society and exist to mobilize, influence and promote the participation of grassroots women, youth and marginalized groups in peacebuilding, community governance and development through partnerships, collaboration and networking. RWPL was started by a group of local women peace activists in response to the women-specific concerns and issues that were emerging during and after the ethnic clashes of the 1990s in Kenya. These women acknowledged that the exclusion of women from the community decision making processes was the main contributor of high female vulnerability in situations dominated by ethnic conflict, economic hardships, socio-cultural exploitation, and political manipulation. From its founding concept as a network of women peacebuilders, the organization grew into a community-based organization in 1999 and finally became an NGO in 2011. From then on, RWPL has grown to become a trailblazer in building the capacity of women and girls, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups of meaningfully participating in peacebuilding, governance, community development and other decision-making processes for a peaceful and equal society. RWPL works to contribute to the holistic development of women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups for their effective contribution to development agendas. It is based on the belief valuable and that empowering these target populations to be agents for change is not only a matter of equal rights but is also essential for the general thriving of communities and economies.
