3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence: Solidarity race against gender violence.

On November 24th, a group of Icelanders embarked on a journey from Iceland to participate in the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence in Kenya and Tanzania. The theme of the event: Solidarity Race against Gender Violence. Around 200 to 400 people participated in each city in Kenya, in Nairobi (26 November), Kisumu (28 November) and Mwanza (30 November). The next and fourth race is planned in Iceland on 10 December 2024.

KENYA. Nairobi. The first race took place in Nairobi, at the Graduation Point of the University of Nairobi. Among the attendees were the famous runner and UN Ambassador for Peace Tegla Loroupe, two Kenyan parliamentarians and the musician and activist Tracey Kadada. The event attracted national attention, with television coverage, including interviews with Ms Loroupe and one of the parliamentarians. Numerous organisations joined in, and ten Icelanders took part in the run – eight from the travelling group and two who were already based in Nairobi. At the start, the group marched with a brass band setting the pace, and after the run, the programme concluded with music and dance performances.

KENYA. Kisumu. The second race was held in Kisumu, Kenya, in the Manyatta district. The day before, the Icelandic group met with county officials who deal with gender-based violence to discuss the most pressing issues. The next day, the race started early in the morning accompanied by a marching band. The route passed through one of the poorest areas of Kisumu, which is badly affected by gender-based violence, and ended at a school. The organisers saw fit to have armed police officers, which was a slightly strange experience for an event that is part of a Peace Project. There were speeches, dancing and singing. The Icelandic group also played a football match against the Survivors team, made up of people who have experienced gender-based violence, which ended in a draw between the teams. The group also made a large peace banner. A couple of radio stations came to interview the participants.

TANZANIA. Mwanza. The third race was organised in a small village near Mwanza, Tanzania, where a couple of hundred locals joined the Icelanders, singing, dancing and clapping along the route. The event was part of a larger three-day event involving thousands of people and several local organisations. After the race, the programme included speeches, traditional dances and performances with large snakes. Several organisations involved in issues of gender-based violence took part.

The events were quite different in many ways, but there was a great spirit of solidarity and joy throughout, even though the occasion is not one of celebration. We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the success of this memorable event, whether as individuals or as an organisation.

The fourth Unity Run for Peace and Non-Violence was held in Laugardalur, Iceland, on December 10, with the participation of the famous runner and UN Ambassador for Peace Tegla Loroupe

Base Team 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence Iceland

November 30, 2024 – Base Team 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence – Iceland