Peace
There can never be development without peace. As COHECF-KENYA, we’ll partner with all relevant organizations to promote peace activities in our communities for peaceful co-existence.
Art and Sport as a tool for Promoting Peace and Development
This program coordinates value based art, sports and play for peace and development activities in Transnzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Kisumu counties to facilitate peace education and life skills among children and youth to become agents of social change. We use sports as a means of reducing violence, unemployment, and radicalization and to stimulate peace and social cohesion.
Peace Building is an intervention technique or method that is designed to prevent the start or resumption of violent conflict by creating a sustainable peace. Peace building activities address the root causes or potential causes of violence, create a societal expectation for peaceful conflict resolution and stabilize society politically and socioeconomically.
Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.
- Among the institutions most affected by corruption are the judiciary and police
- Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost some US $1.26 trillion for developing countries per year; this amount of money could be used to lift those who are living on less than $1.25 a day above $1.25 for at least six years
- The rate of children leaving primary school in conflict affected countries reached 50 per cent in 2011, which accounts to 28.5 million children, showing the impact of unstable societies on one of the major goals of the post 2015 agenda: education.
- The rule of law and development have a significant interrelation and are mutually reinforcing, making it essential for sustainable development at the national and international level
COHECF KENYA employs the following to promote peace;
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Women have traditionally played a limited role in peace building processes even though they often bear the responsibility for providing for their families’ basic needs in the aftermath of violent conflict. They are especially likely to be unrepresented or underrepresented in negotiations, political decision-making, upper-level policymaking and senior judicial positions. Many societies’ patriarchal cultures prevent them from recognizing the role women can play in peace building. However, many peace building academics and the United Nations have recognized that women play a vital role in securing the three pillars of sustainable peace: economic recovery and reconciliation, social cohesion and development and political legitimacy, security and governance
- In Kenya, sport is one of the prime ways people are brought together. Sport not only fosters social interaction, it entails social interaction. Participation in sports is also intrinsically linked to community development initiatives. The values which sport enshrine in teamwork, inclusion, and personal achievement-build a strong foundation for personal and community growth.
- As COHECF-KENYA, we believe that participation of women in sports is a great way to break gender stereotypes in the community and it can be used to spark discussion about larger issues of women empowerment and involvement.
- Issues that affect women when it comes to participate in sports are culture, poverty, gender norms and social construction of gender.
Benefits of women taking part in sports
- Enhancing health and well-being:-The involvement of women in sport activity helps build life skills, confidence and body awareness and may create social networks, which results in dramatic positive life changes for participants.
- Leadership and opportunities:-involvement in sports can positively change existing gender norms and women move into public places.
- Encourage self-esteem and empowerment. :-sport activity programs provide opportunities to bring women together and help to realize development objectives relating to such issues as conflict management, reproductive health and gender-based violence.
- Academic Success:-It is recognized that there is a strong connection between participation in sport with academic success. Girls who participate in sports tend to be more focused, disciplined in their studies and successful in school.
- Facilitating social inclusion and integration: – Participation in sports can help women build self-confidence, a crucial component in empowering girls and young women to take on new roles and to challenge the barriers that they encounter and also building relationships between team members, and teaching teamwork skills, which can later be useful to women in a professional environment.
- Sport has enormous power to generate real social, economic and environmental change and contribute to sustainable development, social cohesion and even to challenge mind sets and prejudice.
- Sport has huge potential to empower women. Women in sport defy the misperception that they are weak or incapable. Every time they clear a hurdle or kick a ball, demonstrating not only physical strength, but also leadership and strategic thinking, they take a step towards gender equality.
- There is good evidence that participation in sports can help break-down gender stereotypes, improve girls’ and women’s self-esteem and contribute to the development of leadership skills.
ART THERAPY
- Art therapy is a therapeutic technique that incorporates various forms of visual arts (including drawing, painting, sculpture, and related techniques) as a means of communicating. Art therapy utilizes art and artistic mediums to help people explore their thoughts and emotions in a unique way. The idea behind this type of therapy is to use art as a primary means of communication, something that can be useful for those who find it difficult to verbalize their feelings. Being practical and using physical objects, such as paintbrushes and paper, often helps people to feel more connected to the world around them.
Benefits of Using Art
- Safety – Art therapy provides a safe confidential space where one feels comfortable and free of judgment.
- Accessibility – Everyone is capable of creative expression, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.
- Strengths-based – The creative process is all about making, changing and building – it automatically taps into participants’ strengths and they realize their weaknesses and strengths.
- Positive – Being creative and making something can often be enjoyable and can positively shift the participants’ moods and perspective. Thus makes them want to learn more.
- Expressive – Art therapy is capable of exploring, managing, and providing insight into traumatic experiences. Eg Domestic Violence., Rape, bullying etc. It is an excellent outlet for emotions and a great way to release energy and also most participants will find it easy to express themselves through drawings, singing etc.
- Empowering – Through the art process participants can practice change in small ways, showing themselves that they have the strengths and skills to make bigger changes beyond the sessions as well. And also use their experiences to motivate others.
- Playful – The art process often brings out a sense of playfulness, which can help participants to see things in new ways and can alleviate a feeling of “being stuck”
- Practical – the creative process is a great way to build and practice skills that contribute increased self esteem. The art products created during art therapy sessions, can be visual reminders of the therapy process and can help beneficiaries to internalize and remember what happens in the sessions
- Mindful – when participants are working on something they are present in the here and now. So Art therapy can be an excellent way to practice mindfulness of others feelings and reactions towards rejection.