OVERVIEW

The Queen of Peace Initiative (QPI) is a women-led, nonprofit organization committed to fostering peace, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods within indigenous pastoralist communities situated in Northern Kenya’s Ewaso Nyiro Ecosystem. Established in 2008 and formally registered as a Community Based Initiative (CBI) in October 2018, QPI operates from its headquarters in Isiolo, Kenya. This initiative is anchored in the collective vision of indigenous women who identified the pressing need to empower their communities, with particular emphasis on women and youth, by addressing systemic challenges such as insecurity, poverty, climate vulnerability, and inter-communal conflict. QPI functions at the confluence of peacebuilding, climate adaptation, and economic empowerment. Through community-driven interventions, including peace dialogues, climate resilience programs, and livelihood diversification, the organization provides marginalized groups with essential resources to navigate socio-economic challenges while preserving their cultural identity. A primary strength of QPI resides in its grassroots methodology. By engaging directly with indigenous women, youth, and pastoralist groups, QPI promotes local ownership and sustainable outcomes. The organization is an esteemed member of the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Network in Isiolo County and has developed robust partnerships with local stakeholders and international donors to enhance its reach and effectiveness. The origin of QPI is linked to a significant women's stakeholders’ forum convened by the Women Empowerment Fund in Isiolo. At this gathering, pastoralist women expressed a collective concern that existing development programs had significantly neglected the specific needs of indigenous women in arid and semi-arid regions. In response, the Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) model was introduced, promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women’s groups throughout the county.