The World YWCA and YWCA of Kenya expresses its solidarity with Kenyan women and their families in the face of the pain and suffering as a result of Kenya’s violence and insecurity following the country’s December 27, 2007 elections.

The killings, beatings and burnings continue to bring loss, suffering and fear, especially to women and children. The YWCA Movement joins the Kenyan people, the World Council of Churches, and other international organizations in their call for peace with justice, while protecting the rights of women and children, especially from sexual violence.

Over 100,000 people have been affected or displaced countrywide according to the Kenya Red Cross. The YWCA of Kenya is responding to the crisis by offering its facilities in Mombasa, Siaya and Kisumu to provide shelter to vulnerable women and girls affected by the crisis including elderly women, pregnant and lactating mothers.

The World YWCA calls for the effective inclusion of women in the mediation efforts and welcomes the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Initiative. Women must play a vital role in reconciliation and resolution of the situation in line with the commitments made under UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the African Union Gender Solemn Declaration and the Kenya Policy on Gender Development.

It is urgent that the parties and the nation find a solution for the restoration of confidence in the key governance institutions, thus facilitating for the provision of basic social services to the poor and the protection of their human rights.

We especially call for international support for the humanitarian effort underway in the country and equally in support of the restoration of democracy, peace building and community reconciliation.

The World YWCA is a global movement that reaches 25 million women and girls in 125 countries, providing them with the space and skills to develop leadership to achieve justice, peace, security, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment for the entire community. The World YWCA affirms that women’s human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. The full and equal enjoinment by women and girls is a priority of the YWCA movement and is essential for the advancement of women.