Best Practices and Key Learnings from the Kilifi–Kwale Inter-County Women Learning Exchange on P/CVE

Group Photo: Security, Justice actors, Communities and CSOs

Bridging State and Community: A Core Best Practice

One of the most significant takeaways from the exchange was the importance of creating structured spaces where women from formal security systems and grassroots networks can interact. By bringing together law enforcement officers, civil society actors, and members of community-based structures such as nyumba kumi, peace committees, and ADR groups, the forum demonstrated how trust-building can enhance coordination. This approach strengthens early warning systems and ensures responses to violent extremism are both community-informed and institutionally supported.

Wahida from Search for Common Ground Contributing to the Discussions

Integrating P/CVE with Livelihoods and Social Support

A standout best practice from Kilifi County is the integration of P/CVE interventions with broader socio-economic support systems. Women mentors are not only addressing radicalization but are also linking vulnerable youth to education, agribusiness opportunities, and social welfare initiatives such as food distribution and medical camps. This holistic model recognizes that violent extremism is often rooted in structural vulnerabilities, and that sustainable peace requires addressing these underlying drivers.

Mentorship and Reintegration as Prevention Tools

Women-led mentorship and reintegration programs emerged as a highly effective strategy, particularly in addressing youth involvement in gangs and violence. In Kilifi, structured mentorship sessions qwoften involving professionals from diverse fields, provide young people with guidance, positive role models, and pathways away from crime. Reintegration efforts for reformed youth further reinforce community resilience by reducing stigma and preventing relapse into violent networks.

Expanding P/CVE into Non-Traditional Spaces

Kwale County highlighted the importance of extending P/CVE interventions beyond community settings into institutions such as prisons. Engagements with inmates, probation officers, and stakeholders create opportunities to prevent radicalization within correctional systems while supporting rehabilitation. A key learning here is the need to involve families, especially parents, in reintegration processes, ensuring continuity of support once individuals return to their communities.

Addressing Emerging and Localized Conflict Drivers

The exchange underscored the importance of context-specific responses. In Kwale, emerging conflicts over natural resources, particularly tensions between youth and elders, were identified as potential triggers for violence. Recognizing and responding to such localized dynamics is essential for effective P/CVE programming, as it allows interventions to remain relevant and proactive rather than reactive.

Promoting Inclusive Approaches and Male Allyship

Another critical learning was the value of inclusive engagement. While women are at the forefront of community peacebuilding, the involvement of male champions was identified as necessary to shift entrenched norms and support broader acceptance of women’s leadership. Collaborative gender approaches help amplify impact and foster more balanced community dialogue around extremism prevention.

Confronting Systemic Barriers to Women’s Leadership

Despite these promising practices, the exchange also highlighted persistent barriers that limit women’s effectiveness in P/CVE. These include institutional exclusion from decision-making, socio-cultural stereotypes, security risks such as intimidation, and gaps in gender-responsive legal frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires deliberate policy reforms, increased funding, and stronger integration of the Women, Peace and Security agenda into national and county-level strategies.

Conclusion

The Kilifi–Kwale inter-county learning exchange reaffirmed that women are not just participants but central actors in preventing violent extremism and building resilient communities. The best practices shared, from mentorship and livelihood integration to cross-sector collaboration, offer a scalable model for other regions. Moving forward, sustaining these gains will depend on dismantling systemic barriers, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to invest in women-led approaches that are rooted in community realities.