WELCOME TO THE AOSK-JPC

OUR ORIGINS

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya, (AOSK-JPC) was set up on 29^th April 1991 to address issues of injustice, especially those relating to women and the growing marginalization of the poor. It was born out of the realization that, as Sisters, we could no longer remain ignorant and inactive in relation to socio-economic and cultural problems when human rights were being violated. AOSK-JPC acknowledges the reality of destitution suffered by many people as well as lack of a climate peace in Kenya, and believes that these are mainly due to lack of awareness, selfishness, as well as unjust and systems structures.

We proposed to address this situation through civic and human rights education and leadership training especially for women to empower them to give voice to their issues at policy making levels. We also proposed to redress the growing issue of poverty by taking the debt burden and servicing issue as an entry point and to undertake activities that curb pollution, mismanagement of our basic natural resources and to increase our respect and understanding of the interconnectedness of all creation. Our AOSK-JPC vision and goal guide our endeavor to address the situation.

Vision: The vision of AOSK-JP Commission is a just and peaceful society in which the dignity of the human person is reverenced, human rights upheld and where the interconnectedness of all creation enables people to live in harmony.

Mission: Guided and challenged by biblical values, the social teachings of the church and the desire to bring about the “kindom” of God in our world, the mission of AOSK-JP Commission is to create awareness of the dignity of the human person, to uphold human rights and freedom and to promote a safe and healthy environment where natural resources are respected, conserved and shared by all.

Goal: Our goal is to challenge and change unjust practices, systems and structures, especially those relating to women, the maginalization of the poor and the destruction of the environment, uphold human rights, freedoms and encourage personal and social responsibility of all.

Objective 1: To promote the realization of Human Rights and accountable governance and formation of citizen groups with the capacity to act responsibly and demand accountability from government.

Objective 2: Gender Equity – To promote recognition of women’s dignity and rights, enhance access to justice and their active participation in public life.

Objective 3: Environment Conservation – To promote understanding, respect  and conservation of the environment based on the rights of access to our natural resources and to share these with others as a direct intervention against climate change and movement towards inter-ethnic and inter-community peaceful relationships.

Geographical area of Operation:  The Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya has an estimated membership of 4,500 Catholic Sisters countrywide. These belong in varying numbers to 135 different congregations or groups who carry out their ministries /activities of teaching, nursing, social work, justice and peace etc in the 25 District Units/ Dioceses of Kenya. An eight-member executive committee, drawn from the 135 different congregational leaders, is responsible for all the AOSK joint activities, which include the activities of the AOSK Justice and Peace Commission.

The AOSK-JPC office, though located in Nairobi, is mandated to serve the whole country through the District Units. The geographic area of operation is therefore nationwide as we work through all the sisters with a special focus on women groups and students in our AOSK linked schools located in the twenty-five Catholic Dioceses of Kenya.